Can I Get an Electrical Quote From a Photo?

If you've got a small electrical job sitting on the list, one of the easiest ways to get started is to send us a few photos and a clear description of what you want done.

That doesn't mean every electrical job can be priced accurately from a photo. Some work depends on what's behind a wall, the condition and capacity of your switchboard, access, cable routes or existing wiring. But good photos help us understand the job faster and tell you what information we still need.

What photos help most?

Start with one wide photo showing the whole area, then a couple of closer photos of the item or spot. If the job might need a new circuit or involves a bigger appliance, include a clear photo of your switchboard with the door open, but only if you can do that safely without removing any covers or touching anything electrical.

For an outdoor job, show where you want it and the likely route back to the house or building. For a replacement, photograph the existing item and any label or model details that are easy to see.

What details should you include?

Tell us what you want to achieve, not just the name of a product. For example, "I want two extra power points on this wall for a home office," or "I want an EV charger beside where the car parks."

Include your suburb, whether it's a home or a business, and whether there's a deadline we should know about.

When is a site visit still needed?

A site visit is often needed for bigger alterations, unknown cable routes, older wiring, switchboard work, EV charging, larger commercial jobs, fault finding, and anything where the scope can't be confirmed from what's visible. A photo is a great starting point, but it's not a replacement for a proper look when one is needed.

Why it's worth doing

Sending photos first makes the conversation much quicker. We can usually tell you straight away whether we have enough to prepare a quote, whether we need a few more details, or whether a site visit is the best next step.

Got a few small jobs? Send the whole list at once. That way we can look at everything together instead of treating each one separately.

Common questions

How many photos should I send?

A wide shot plus two or three close ups is usually a good start.

Can you quote switchboard work from a photo?

A photo helps a lot, but switchboard work often needs a site visit to confirm the scope.

Can I send several jobs in one go?

Yes please. Sending the full list helps us plan the work properly.

Should I take the switchboard cover off for a photo?

No. Never remove electrical covers or expose anything live. Just photograph what you can see safely.

Ready to get started?

Email your photos, suburb and a short description to office@lincelectrical.co.nz, call us on 027 438 5462, or start a booking through our Book Now page.