Building Services (MEP)
Electrical Estimating Services in New Zealand
Electrical points, lighting, cabling and switchboards counted and measured from your electrical plan, room by room.
Electrical work is quoted on points: every power outlet, light, switch and data point. But a points count alone does not capture cable runs, switchboard size, circuit numbers or special items such as EV chargers, solar and smart-home systems.
We count every electrical point by type from the electrical plan and estimate cable lengths from the layout. Switchboards and circuits are scheduled from the drawings or allowed for by building size. Lighting is counted by fitting type, so you can price downlights, pendants and exterior lights separately.
On commercial projects, we measure cable trays, sub-mains, distribution boards, emergency lighting and data cabling from the consultant's drawings.
Scope
What we measure in a electrical takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Power outlets | no. | Single, double, USB and weatherproof. |
| Lighting | no. | By fitting type, interior and exterior. |
| Switches | no. | Light switches, dimmers and fan controls. |
| Cabling | lm | Estimated from layouts, by circuit type. |
| Switchboards | no. | Main and sub-boards with circuit counts. |
| Data and TV | no. | Data points, TV outlets and comms cabinets. |
| EV charging and solar | no. / item | Chargers, inverters and connections where shown. |
| Emergency lighting | no. | Exit and emergency fittings on commercial work. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Electrical estimates include a room-by-room points schedule, which helps clients confirm their requirements before the electrician starts.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Check an electrician's quote against a full points count.
- Subcontractors
- Electricians can quote more jobs from counted points and cable runs.
- Developers
- Standardise and price the electrical specification across units.
- Architects
- Show a client the cost of lighting design choices.
Process
How a electrical estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload the electrical plan, lighting plan and specification.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm fitting types, switchboard specification and any smart-home or solar scope.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Points are counted room by room, cabling estimated and totals checked against floor area.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the points schedule, quantity sheet, PDF and marked-up plans.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Electrical installations in New Zealand must comply with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, with AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) as the main referenced standard. Work must be done by a licensed electrical worker, and a certificate of compliance is issued on completion.
Building Code clause G9 (Electricity) covers electrical installations in buildings. Emergency lighting for commercial buildings is part of the fire safety design under clause F6 (Visibility in escape routes), and we count fittings as shown on the drawings.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of electrical work
01
Point count
Every outlet, light and switch adds cost. Clients often add points late, so a clear schedule helps control the budget.
02
Lighting design
Downlights, feature pendants, LED strips and exterior lighting vary widely in cost.
03
Smart and low-voltage systems
Data, AV, security and smart-home systems add cabling and equipment.
04
Supply capacity
EV chargers, heat pumps and induction cooking can require a larger supply or switchboard upgrade.
Where electrical estimates go wrong
Electrical estimates often miss points added during the build. A clear room-by-room schedule at the start helps the client confirm what they want and keeps variations under control.
Another gap is the supply: larger switchboards, mains upgrades and the cost of connecting EV chargers or heat pumps can be significant and are easy to miss.
The third common gap is coordination with other trades. Heat pumps, extract fans, rangehoods, garage door motors, spa pools and irrigation controllers all need power, and each is usually shown on someone else's drawing rather than the electrical plan. We cross-check the architectural, mechanical and landscape drawings for powered equipment and add any missing supplies to the schedule, so the electrician prices them at tender rather than as a variation once the walls are lined and access is harder. Outdoor lighting, gate motors and garden power are a frequent example: they are drawn on the landscape plan, not the electrical plan, so they are easy to overlook until the landscaper asks where the supply is. We also note where an existing switchboard may not have spare capacity for added circuits.
FAQ
Electrical Estimating questions
Do you count every point?
Yes. Every outlet, light, switch and data point is counted by type and room.
Can you estimate cable lengths?
Yes. Cable lengths are estimated from the layout and circuit routing assumptions we state.
Do you include switchboards?
Yes. Main and sub-boards are scheduled with circuit counts.
Can you estimate solar and EV chargers?
Yes, where they are shown on the drawings or specification.
Do you estimate commercial electrical?
Yes, including cable trays, sub-mains, distribution boards and emergency lighting.
Related services
- Mechanical Estimating
Mechanical services quantities for commercial and industrial buildings: plant, ductwork, pipework, controls and commissioning.
- HVAC Estimating
Heating, cooling and ventilation quantities for homes and light commercial buildings: heat pumps, ducted systems and ventilation.
- Fire Protection Estimating
Active and passive fire protection quantities: sprinklers, alarms, detection, hydrants and fire stopping, measured from the fire design.
- Commercial Estimating
Measured estimates for offices, retail, fit-outs and mixed-use buildings, packaged by trade so you can tender subcontractors cleanly.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a electrical estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer