How Electrical Subs Bid and Bill Commercial Work

The electrical subcontract on a commercial building normally covers power distribution from the service to every device, lighting and its controls, branch wiring, and connections to equipment other trades furnish. Fire alarm, low-voltage cabling, security and data are sometimes in the electrical scope and sometimes separate contracts. All of it is installed to the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, as the jurisdiction has adopted it (NFPA); check which edition your jurisdiction enforces, because it changes what you price.

Switchgear and large panels often have long lead times. State in the bid how long your gear pricing is good for and that it depends on approved submittals and release by a date. Ask the GC to answer gaps through the bid's questions so every bidder prices the same thing; see how GCs level subcontractor bids to understand how your exclusions will be read.

A good electrical schedule of values follows the order work happens and separates material from labor where material arrives in large lots. One lump line for "rough-in" means you cannot bill a finished floor while another is still open. A sample for a two-story building:

Avoid loading the early lines with more than their real value. GCs and owners compare the schedule to the work, and a front-loaded one is usually sent back.

Gear and fixtures delivered before they are installed can usually be billed as materials stored, which keeps your cash from sitting in a warehouse. The contract decides. Federal fixed-price construction allows material delivered on site to be counted, and material stored elsewhere only if the contract specifically authorizes it and the contractor shows it has title and the material will be used on the job (FAR 52.232-5). Private subcontracts often ask for a bill of sale, proof of insurance and photos. Stored material carries retainage like installed work, unless the contract or state law says otherwise. See how to calculate retainage.

The fictional "Halvorsen Electric" holds the $612,400 subcontract above with 10% retainage. In period 4, level 1 rough-in goes from 60% to 90%, feeders from 20% to 50%, and the switchgear is delivered to site and stored, not yet set.

This period bills $45,270 of work plus $96,800 stored = $142,070. Retainage at 10% is $14,207.00, so these lines add $127,863.00 to the payment due. Checks: $52,920 + $26,460 = $79,380 = 90% of $88,200; $12,540 + $18,810 = $31,350 = 50% of $62,700; $65,460 + $142,070 = $207,530.

Next period, when the gear is set, line 5 moves from stored to work completed with no new billing on it; the setting labor bills on line 6. Moving it this way stops the same $96,800 being billed twice.

• As-built drawings, including panel and circuit changes.
• Typed panel schedules matching what was installed.
• Test reports the specification requires, such as insulation-resistance or ground tests, and the fire alarm acceptance test.
• O&M manuals and warranties for gear, lighting controls and fixtures.
• Final lien waiver and the release of retainage request.

Keep a closeout line on the schedule of values, as line 12 above, so the last dollars are tied to the documents. Punch work is covered in how to build a punch list.

When a GC sends an electrical package through Trade bids in Conflo, the sub sees the scope items, alternates and addenda, asks questions on the invitation, and submits a base bid with each scope item marked included or excluded, its alternates and its exclusions and qualifications. Sub billing runs in Pay apps: each month the sub enters percent complete this period and materials stored per line, previous billing carries forward, no line can bill past 100%, and retainage is calculated on completed and stored to date.

Stored material billed on one pay app carries into previous billing on the next, so it is never billed twice. Not built today: a separate step to record when stored material is installed, and a separate retainage rate for stored materials.

Electrical bids are won on price and kept on clarifications. Say exactly what is in and out at the trade's edges, and split the schedule of values so each phase and each big material delivery can be billed when it happens.

Before your next bid, add the six clarifications in the table above to your proposal template.

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1. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) — National Fire Protection Association. Read October 16, 2026.
2. FAR 52.232-5, Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts — Acquisition.gov, U.S. General Services Administration. Read October 16, 2026.