How do you bid a residential electrical job?
Updated · Amperio.ai team
Short answer
With Amperio.ai you upload the PDF plan and get the residential bid in minutes. Manually, to bid a residential electrical job: count openings (receptacles, switches, lights), size the service and panel (typically 200A for new homes), add NEC-required items like AFCI/GFCI protection and smoke detectors, price material and labor, then apply overhead and profit. As a 2026 reference, new-construction wiring runs about $3–$8 per sq ft, so a 2,000 sq ft home lands around $6,000–$16,000 depending on spec and market.
| Item | What to include | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Service & panel | Meter base, 200A panel, breakers, grounding | Panel upgrade ≈ $1,800–$4,500 installed |
| Openings | Receptacles, switches, light outlets | Count from plans |
| Special circuits | Range, dryer, HVAC, EV, water heater | 240V receptacle ≈ $250–$600 |
| Protection | AFCI/GFCI breakers or devices per NEC | Check locally adopted NEC edition |
| Life safety | Interconnected smoke/CO detectors | Per local code |
| Permits | Permit + inspections | Local fee schedule |
Installed reference ranges from Amperio.ai 2026 benchmarks; confirm local code requirements.
Per sq ft vs. per opening vs. line by line
Per sq ft is useful for budget numbers and checking your bid. Per opening works for repeat production builders. Line by line with labor units is the safest for custom homes and remodels.
Remodel work typically costs 20–50% more per opening than new construction because of fishing wire, cutting and patching. See cost to wire a house.
How Amperio.ai handles it
- Residential templates with service, openings and special circuits (residential estimating).
- AI takeoff counts openings from the floor plan.
- Per sq ft and per opening checks on every bid.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge to wire a new house?
A 2026 reference is $3–$8 per sq ft for new construction; your number depends on local labor and spec level.
How many outlets does a typical house have?
A 2,000 sq ft home commonly has around 80–120 openings including receptacles, switches and lights, depending on design.
Should I include fixtures in my bid?
State it clearly: many bids include installation of owner-supplied fixtures and an allowance for fixtures.
How do I price per outlet?
Related questions
Sources and methodology
Prices and ranges are reference figures as of the update date; they vary by market, supplier and project conditions.