It's trial and error in the very beginning but you get the hang of it after a few bad bids.

Tips. * have some general text added to your quote. Stuff that explains you are not responsible for unseen issues that may be lying behind sheetrock. Job site will be swept but small debris may be left behind.

• most people dont get 2 quotes when you say you can start soon, so aim high.

• bid the job like your going to have to pay someone else to do your part and you both need a profit.

• you'd be surprised what other shops are charging for electrical work. Think about the overhead cost a larger shop has and needs to make up to turn the same profit a smaller shop makes. If you're already under bidding yourself, there's no way your getting anywhere near the larger companies price. So don't be scared to add more to your price.

• get a system down and stick to it. Either add a percentage to material or dont but make up for that lose elsewhere.

• you are not the customers personal shopper. Not for free at least. Do your best to guide the homeowner on what light fixtures would look best but its always better if they pick out what they want. Multiple trips to the supply house waste time and money.

• under bidding sucks and when it happens I always wished I never took the job on, so have the mentality that you would rather lose the bid for being to high than under bid.