Gold Coast electrician quote checklist

What should I tell an electrician when asking for a quote?

Describe the job, the location and the access in plain words, without guessing at the cause of a fault.

These are practical prompts for your request. They are not legal requirements or rules from any source.

• Say what you need, such as a new light fitting, extra power points or a fault you have noticed.
• Give your suburb and the type of property, such as a house, townhouse or unit.
• Say which rooms or outdoor areas the work involves.
• If something has stopped working, describe what you noticed and when, without opening any fittings.
• Mention parking, gates, pets, stairs and anything that limits access to the work area.
• Include photos of the room or area if they help, and give your preferred timing.

How do I check an electrician’s licence in Queensland?

Ask for the electrical contractor licence number, then confirm it is current with the Electrical Safety Office.

The Electrical Safety Office says to always use a licensed electrician and to confirm the contractor licence is current before agreeing to any work. Search the number on its Electrical Licence Search page. If you cannot find your electrician there, it asks you to call 1300 362 128.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission keeps a separate register for the contractors it licenses. For an electrical contractor licence, use the Electrical Safety Office search.

What should an electrician’s quote include?

A useful quote sets out the scope, the fees and what is included, with the terms in writing.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s advice on quotes, contracts and variations (last reviewed 23 September 2025) says to check, before accepting a quote, that:

• the contractor is licensed
• terms and conditions are included
• all costs and fees are disclosed
• you have checked reviews and seen examples of their previous work.

For a written contract, the same advice lists:

• the full scope of work
• costs and a payment schedule
• start and finish dates
• any cooling-off period or termination clauses.

You can also ask:

• Is there a charge to attend or assess the job, and does it apply if I decline the work?
• What does the quote exclude?
• How will you check with me before doing extra work?

What happens when I accept a quote?

Accepting a quote, in writing or verbally, turns it into a legally binding contract.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission says this in the same advice and recommends keeping a dated and signed copy, because verbal agreements can be hard to enforce if things go wrong.

A request you can adapt

I would like a quote for two extra power points in a bedroom of my house in my Gold Coast suburb. There is street parking and a side gate, and I can send photos of the room. Please include your electrical contractor licence number, what the quote covers and excludes, any other fees and when you could start. Please check with me before doing any extra work.

This hypothetical example does not estimate a price or confirm that an electrician serves your address. Replace it with your own details.

Questions before requesting an electrician