An electrical quotation for a new home or a rewiring job can run to two or three pages of wires, switches, MCBs and labour. Most of it is routine — but a few lines decide whether you're paying a fair price. Here's how to read one.
1. Labour-only, or material plus labour?
Start at the top. With a labour-only quote you buy the materials and the electrician installs them; with material plus labour the contractor buys everything. Labour-only concealed wiring typically costs ₹40–₹100 per point, so a per-point rate far above that either includes material or is simply high.
2. Count the points
Labour is usually priced per point — each light, fan, socket or switch position. A typical 2 BHK has about 55–90 points and a 3 BHK about 75–120. Ask for a room-wise list.
- A 2-way switch, a 16A power socket or an AC point is often counted as more than one point. That can be fair, but the quote should say how each type is counted.
- Points added later are often priced higher, so get the list right before work starts.
3. Check the wire
Wire is usually the biggest material cost. Check the brand, the size and the number of coils:
- 1 or 1.5 sq mm for lights and fans, 2.5 sq mm for sockets and 4 sq mm for AC and geyser circuits is common practice — your electrician should confirm the sizes for your loads.
- A 90 m coil of branded 1.5 sq mm FR wire typically costs ₹3,490–₹3,900 per coil, and 2.5 sq mm ₹4,500–₹5,600 per coil — usually well below the printed MRP.
- If the quote prices wire by the metre, convert it to coils to compare.
4. MCBs, RCCB and the distribution board
The quote should name the brand and rating of each MCB, the size of the distribution board (number of ways) and whether an RCCB is included. An RCCB cuts the power when current leaks to earth, protecting against shocks — if it's missing, ask why.
5. What the quote doesn't say
Missing items are where extra charges come from later. Check for:
- Earthing — how many earth pits, and what kind
- Cutting and filling walls for concealed conduits
- Fitting lights and fans (often charged per piece)
- Testing, and a completion certificate if your electricity board needs one
- Removing debris
6. Payment terms
A large advance is a red flag. Paying in stages — after conduits, after wiring, after fittings and testing — keeps everyone on track.
Upload your quote to GenuineRate: we check every wire, MCB and labour line against market rates for your city, compare the point count with a typical home of your size, and list what's missing.
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