How to Create a Quotation for Electrical Control Panels — Step by Step

Step-by-Step Guide | Switchonomy

5 min read · 842 words

A well-structured electrical control panel quotation does more than put a price on a job. It defines the scope, reflects your professionalism, protects your margin, and gives the client everything they need to make a confident decision.

Before you start — what every good quotation needs

Before a single price is entered, three things must be in place: a clear scope of work, accurate customer details, and an organised project record.

Pre-quotation checklist: - Customer name, company, and contact details confirmed - Panel type identified — LT panel, MCC, distribution board, or power control centre - Feeder configuration known — type, switchgear (ACB/MCCB), current rating - Enclosure specifications noted — IP rating, form, busbar material, STC kA - Termination requirements confirmed — incoming and outgoing locations - Client-specific standards or compliance requirements noted - Follow-up deadline and project probability assessed

Step 1 — Create the project record

The first step is creating a structured project record. Enter the project name, customer name and contact number, project address, city, state, and pincode. Set the follow-up date and project probability. This record becomes the single source of truth for the entire job.

In Switchonomy: Click Create Project from the dashboard. All fields are captured here. Existing contacts can be selected from the database, or a new contact added instantly. Once saved, all subsequent estimations link directly to this record.

Step 2 — Open a new estimation

Open a new estimation slot within the project. A quotation number, date, and enquiry reference are assigned automatically — so every quote is traceable and version-controlled from the moment it's created.

In Switchonomy: Click Create Estimation inside the project. The new estimation is assigned a quotation number and date automatically. Customer contact details are pre-filled from the project record. Use the View, Edit, or Duplicate options under the Action button to manage the estimation at any point.

Step 3 — Create the panel and configure feeders

Define the panel name, type, and quantity. Configure each feeder: feeder name, feeder type (EB Incoming, DG Incoming, Solar Incoming, Bus Coupler, or Outgoing), switchgear type (ACB or MCCB), and current rating from 200A to 8000A. Use the Duplicate Feeder option for panels with multiple identical feeders.

In Switchonomy: Click Create Panel and choose Electrical + Auto Design or Panel Design Only. Complete feeder details and use Duplicate Feeder where applicable. The system validates ratings and types automatically.

Step 4 — Define the panel enclosure specification

Define the enclosure type, form, IP rating, termination locations and types, enclosure colour, busbar material and size, short circuit rating (STC kA), panel depth, and rear maintenance requirement. Every one of these details needs to be captured in the quotation, not assumed.

In Switchonomy: The Panel Enclosure option opens a comprehensive specification form covering all fields. Each selection is validated by the system before the diagram is generated.

Step 5 — Generate the panel layout drawing

Once feeder and enclosure configuration is complete, the panel drawing can be generated automatically — directly from the specifications already entered. This eliminates the need for a separate design stage.

In Switchonomy: Click Generate Diagram. The platform produces a complete, standard-based panel layout drawing in seconds. Review and customise it within the platform before finalising. The diagram is included in the PDF export automatically.

Why drawings matter at the quotation stage: Including a panel layout drawing with your quote demonstrates technical competence and gives the client a clear picture of exactly what they're buying. It reduces revision cycles, accelerates approval, and sets your quote apart from competitors who send a price alone.

Step 6 — Add miscellaneous costs and apply margin

Add power and control wiring charges, transportation, coupling charges, warranty, and packaging costs. Then apply your desired margin. The final quotation price should update in real time as the margin is adjusted.

In Switchonomy: Open Miscellaneous Expenses from the Edit icon. Add all cost categories as a percentage or fixed amount. The system applies a 2% default, customisable per project. Enter your margin in the margin field — the total recalculates instantly.

Step 7 — Export and send the quotation

Produce a professional, client-ready document including the full component breakdown with pricing, all miscellaneous charges, the applied margin and final total, a bill of materials, and the panel layout drawing.

In Switchonomy: Click Export PDF on the estimation page. Choose between Quotation PDF or BOM PDF — both generated instantly and professionally formatted. Use the Share Switch to give clients secure login access to view project details directly.

After the quote — keeping the project alive

Update the quotation status (draft, submitted, approved, in progress) as the job progresses. Use Add to Favourites to save recurring panel configurations. Attach all documents — test certificates, compliance certificates, client-approved drawings — directly to the project record.

Creating a professional electrical control panel quotation is a seven-step process that, when followed consistently, produces quotes that are accurate, complete, and compelling every time. With the right platform, that quality becomes the standard — not the best-case outcome.

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