What to check on an electrician's quote
Compliance certificates, parts versus labour, and what's actually being tested — what to look for before electrical work goes ahead.
Is a compliance certificate included?
For a lot of electrical work in South Africa — a new installation, a change to the board, work needed before a property sale — a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) either is required or is worth having regardless. Check whether the quote already includes issuing one, or whether it's a separate cost you'd need to ask for.
- Does the quote say whether a CoC is included, and if not, what it costs separately?
- Is the electrician's registration/qualification stated anywhere on the quote?
Parts, labour, and warranty
As with most trades, a single bundled total makes it hard to tell what's driving the price — the parts (breakers, cabling, a new distribution board) or the labour hours. Ask for a split where the total is more than a small, simple job, and confirm what warranty applies to the work itself.
- Are parts (breakers, cabling, fittings) itemised separately from labour?
- What warranty applies to the installation or repair, and for how long?
- Is there a stated timeline, especially if power needs to be off during the work?
This is general information to help you read a quote, not legal or financial advice — it doesn't assess your specific situation and makes no guarantee about any outcome.
Check your electrician's quote — free