AmpSizerWhich electrical quote is actually cheaper?
The cheapest quote and the cheapest job are rarely the same thing, and the gap is usually the part that was left out.
One circuit check a month
MonthlyOne thing a month worth measuring, testing or recalculating on a home electrical system — the part of sizing that happens after the install. No product pitches, and nothing that needs a live panel.
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How this works
What a quote has to tell you
The four lines that make two electrical quotes comparable, and what a missing one usually means.
| Line | Why it matters | If it is missing |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor size and type | Decides whether the circuit is legal and lasting | Ask — nothing else can be judged without it |
| Breaker rating and type | GFCI and AFCI cost real money | Expect the cheapest device that passes |
| Permit and inspection | Often excluded, always needed | It becomes your problem later |
| Making good | Drywall, paint, trenching | The largest change order on most jobs |
A quote without the conductor size and the breaker rating cannot be compared with anything. Ask for both before you compare prices.
Frequently asked questions
Should the cheapest quote win?
Only once it is complete. Add the permit, the inspection and the making good to each one and the ranking changes on most jobs. A quote that omitted all three was never the cheapest; it was the shortest.
What should I ask that is not about price?
The conductor size and type, the breaker rating and type, whether the permit is included, and who is licensed to sign it off. The first two also let you check the work against the calculators on this site, which is the only independent check a homeowner has.
Is a load calculation worth paying for?
On anything that adds a large circuit — a charger, a heat pump, a range — yes, and it is often required for the permit anyway. It is the difference between finding out now that the service is at its limit and finding out after the equipment is on the wall.