What is included in an EV charger installation quote?

Start with the exact charger and installation scope

Ask for the make and model, whether charger supply is included, and whether the unit has a tethered cable or requires a separate charging lead. Confirm the proposed mounting location and the cable length supplied with the charger.

Request the proposed charging rate for your installation, not just the largest number on the product box. Send the installer your car make, model and year. Our guide to home charging times explains why the car and supply matter too.

Ask how the cable route and electrical work are allowed for

Ask the installer to describe the route from the switchboard to the parking space and any cable-run allowance. Check whether the quote covers surface conduit, access through roof spaces, trenching, wall penetrations and making good where relevant. These are questions to clarify the scope, not a claim that every installation needs all of them.

Ask what circuit and protective equipment are included and whether any switchboard or supply work is separately priced. A dedicated home charger must be installed by a licensed electrician; some properties may need switchboard or supply changes. The Australian Government home-charging guide explains these considerations.

Do not remove switchboard covers to prepare for a quote. The electrician should assess the installation and specify the electrical work.

Put smart features in writing

If you want solar charging or load management, ask which equipment and setup are included. Request a clear explanation of monitoring, any additional hardware, internet requirements and any ongoing fees. Do not assume the word “smart” includes every feature you want.

Tell the installer about existing solar and battery equipment. Ask how the proposed system will work with it, and what happens when solar output is low. Read our explanation of charging an EV with solar panels before comparing options.

Clarify testing, setup and handover

Ask the quote to identify testing and commissioning, app setup where applicable, a demonstration of normal operation, and the documentation you will receive. Check who to contact for installation support and how the manufacturer’s product warranty differs from the installer’s workmanship terms.

For an apartment or shared car park, ask about owners corporation approval and shared infrastructure before accepting a quote. The government guide for strata residents provides an installation checklist and a quote-comparison template.

Before accepting, check the total and exclusions

• Is the total inclusive of GST, and is it a fixed quote or an estimate?
• What site-access or existing-installation assumptions does it rely on?
• Which work is excluded, and how would a variation be agreed before extra work starts?
• What are the payment terms, quote validity and proposed scheduling arrangements?

For an Electrical3 enquiry, send your car details, parking location, any preferred charger and your solar or battery details. Photos of the parking space and the outside of the closed switchboard can help start the discussion; they do not replace an electrical assessment. This checklist explains what to ask about and does not promise that every item is included in a particular offer.