They send “how much for an EV charger?” and a photo of a white cupboard. You cannot see the tails, the spare ways, or whether it is a split load from 1998. A site visit is not pride. It is the difference between a quote and a guess you will eat.
When photos are enough
| Job | Photos can carry it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Extra socket, same room, modern board | Often | Run and spare way are visible |
| Like-for-like pendant | Often | Access is obvious |
| EV charger / board change | Sometimes estimate | Tails, earthing, spare capacity |
| Rewire / first fix | No | You are pricing plaster, not a point |
| EICR then remedial | Visit for the cert | The cert is the survey |
What to collect on WhatsApp
- Board. Cover off if they can do it safely. Ways, RCD layout, whether it is dual RCD or RCBO.
- Tails and cut-out. Size, length, whether you can get a henley in. Fuse rating in the window.
- The run. Loft hatch, downstairs ceiling, or chasing. Measure with a tape in the shot if they can.
- Finish. Surface trunking or buried. That line alone moves hours.
Then send a number with the assumptions under it: “Estimate — assumes spare way, 6m surface run, no bonding upgrade. If the board is full or the tails are 16mm, it moves.” A quote without those lines is you volunteering to find the problem for free.
Photo price = (visible hours × rate) + materials + testing, labelled estimate until seen
What people miss
Quoting a CU swap from a closed lid. You do not know SPD, surge, main switch rating, or whether the tails need a joint. That is a visit or a wide estimate.
Forgetting testing. An extra circuit is not finished when the faceplate is on. If testing is in, say so. If it is a day rate to come back, say that.
Treating a dark photo as a survey. Ask again. One more photo is cheaper than a wrong board.
Fixed price on “a few spots upstairs.” Count them. Write the count. “A few” is how eight spots become twelve.
Related guides
FAQ
- Is a photo quote legally a quote?
- It is whatever you labelled and they accepted. If you have not seen the tails, call it an estimate. This is not legal advice.
- What if they refuse to take the cover off?
- Then you have not seen the board. Visit, or price a wide estimate that assumes a change.
- Can I charge for the visit after a photo estimate?
- Yes if the visit is real work. Say so when you send the estimate. Knock it off if they go ahead.
- Part P / notification?
- Notifiable work still needs the right person and the right paper. Photos do not skip that. Put “notification extra / included” on the document.
