Pre-Tender Site Inspection Checklist for Electrical Contractors
The drawings only tell you part of the story. A pre-tender site visit shows you the rest. Use this pre-tender site inspection checklist electrical contractors can print and take on site, so you price what is actually there, not what you hope is there.
Before you go: what to bring
Do your document review first. If you want to find gaps in the drawings and specs, our guide on how to identify missing work before submitting a tender covers that. This checklist is only about what you can see, photograph, measure and ask on site.
Pack a phone or camera, a laser or tape measure, a torch, a notepad and a printed copy of this list. Confirm induction and PPE requirements for the site with the builder before you arrive.
Pre-tender site inspection checklist electrical contractors can print
Work through these groups in order. Tick what you have checked, and write “unknown” next to anything you could not access. An “unknown” is useful because it tells you where the risk sits.
1. Access and site logistics
Why it matters: Access often drives labour time more than the work itself.
☐ Parking, unloading area and the distance from the vehicle to the work area
☐ Lift size, stair widths and whether long conduit, trays or large boards will fit
☐ Working hours, noisy-work limits and how occupants will be affected
☐ Storage or lay-down space for materials, plus amenities
☐ Ceiling heights and areas that will need a scaffold, EWP or tall ladders
☐ Who controls keys, swipe cards and after-hours entry
2. Switchroom and main supply
Why it matters: The main switchroom shapes the cost of anything that adds load or changes supply.
☐ Location of the switchroom, and how easy it is to reach
☐ Clear space around the main switchboard and any room for new equipment
☐ Photos of the board front, labels and nameplates (record what is written and don’t assume)
☐ Signs of heat, water damage, dust or poor ventilation
☐ Metering and incoming supply arrangements you can see from the room
☐ Who to ask about planned shutdowns, and who approves them
If you are short on time to inspect every site, our electrical estimating services can handle the desk side of the tender while you focus on site visits.
3. Distribution boards and existing circuits
Why it matters: Existing boards decide whether you can extend, modify or must replace.
☐ Photograph every distribution board with the door open, where access is allowed
☐ Note spare ways, board type and overall condition
☐ Check whether circuit labelling is clear, patchy or missing
☐ Look for signs of past alterations, such as mixed cable types or patched cabling
☐ Record where each board sits compared with the area of work
☐ Ask who can isolate supply and how much notice they need
4. Cable routes and containment
Why it matters: Route length and obstructions are where many existing conditions electrical surprises hide.
☐ Existing trays, ladders and conduits, and whether they have spare space
☐ Riser and vertical route locations, with photos
☐ Measure key routes on site (a laser measure is quick, and photos help later)
☐ Obstructions such as ducts, pipes, beams and other trades’ services
☐ Wall and floor types that may need drilling, coring or chasing
☐ Any fire-rated walls or ceilings you notice
You are measuring routes here, not counting every item. Use our electrical takeoff checklist for Australian commercial projects for quantities back at the desk. If you spot a fire-rated element, confirm requirements for your project with the relevant authority and the builder.
5. Ceiling spaces and wall cavities
Why it matters: What is above the ceiling decides how hard a job really is.
☐ Ceiling type: plasterboard, tile, exposed or something else
☐ Access panels, and whether you can lift tiles to look in
☐ Photos of the ceiling void showing how crowded it is with other services
☐ Void height, plus any dust, insulation or heat that will slow the work
☐ Wall construction (brick, block, stud or concrete) for chasing and fixing
☐ Areas with no access, and who is responsible for making good afterwards
6. Existing equipment and services
Why it matters: Each item you keep, move or remove changes your price.
☐ Existing light fittings: type, condition and whether they look reusable
☐ Emergency and exit lighting that sits in or near the work area
☐ Fire alarm panels and detectors (note locations and ask who handles them)
☐ Air-conditioning units, plant and other trades’ equipment that needs power
☐ Lifts, pumps and other equipment that may affect shutdown planning
☐ Anything labelled or marked as a hazard, which you should photograph and report to the builder
For general information about the national building code framework, the Australian Building Codes Board is a useful starting point. Always confirm requirements for your project with the relevant authority and the builder.
7. Lighting, power points and finishes
Why it matters: Finishes and occupancy affect both the method and the time on site.
☐ Take a photo of a typical room and note finishes, colours and ceiling grid
☐ Existing outlet, switch and data types, plus mounting heights
☐ Occupied and vacant areas, and any areas that must stay running
☐ Furniture, fit-out or stock that will need moving first
☐ Sensitive areas such as server rooms, kitchens or labs
☐ Whether temporary power or lighting will be needed during works
What to do with your site notes
Do this the same day while it is fresh.
- Sort your photos by area. Name them (for example “L2 comms room – board front”) so they are easy to find later.
- Mark your unknowns. Anything you could not see or confirm becomes a question for the builder or client.
- Write a short list of questions. Include shutdowns, access, keys and who handles other trades.
- Note what changed your price. Tight access, crowded ceilings and ageing boards are the usual culprits.
- Keep the notes with the tender file. They make a handy reference if a variation comes up later.
If you can answer “what to check before pricing an electrical job” with photos, measurements and a list of open questions, you are in a stronger position than most bidders.
Need a hand pricing the tender?
A good site walk before tender saves time and protects your margin, but the estimate still has to be built. If you would like help pricing a tender, get in touch with our team and tell us what you are working on.
