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A handy electrical contractor business plan template to help you launch your company

Creating a business plan is an impactful milestone when launching any new business. If you’re looking to become an electrical contractor or offer electrical services as part of your own business, this handy guide will take you through the process of writing an electrical contractor business plan.

What are the benefits of writing a business plan?

All small businesses need a business plan. Business plans guide small business owners through the research and market analysis process. The document helps entrepreneurs figure out their:

• Pricing strategy
• Target market
• Marketing strategy
• Business goals
• Financial plans

For electricians, in particular, creating an electrical contracting business plan can help you determine and finalize:

• Which types of electrical work to focus on
• Which electrical services you’ll offer (residential or commercial electrical services)
• Who your target customers are (homeowners, general contractors, etc.)
• Who you might partner with (i.e., a non-competitive construction company or contracting company)
• Which marketing strategies for electricians you’ll use

How to write a business plan for an electrical contractor

Here are some essential steps to create an effective electrical contracting business plan that sets your electrical contractor company up for success.

• Do your research. Find out what other electricians in your market are doing and identify the opportunities and risks for you.
• Clearly communicate your findings and ideas. Depending on who may read this business plan — potential investors, partners, lenders, team members or your future self — you want to put together a plan that’s engaging, informative and easy to understand.
• Be thorough and detailed. If you do it right, your business plan could help guide your overall strategy for years to come.
• Get help. If your expertise lies in offering electrical services but not all the aspects of a full business plan, consider hiring outside resources to help you. They can walk you through developing a marketing plan, knowing which social media channels to use, outlining business operations, preparing balance sheets and calculating your expected profit margin.

How can I get a free business plan template?

You can use the following components to help build your business plan. Use this as a template to define your business, outline your strategy, develop your marketing plan and present your financial projections.

1. Executive summary

In this section, you will summarize key highlights and findings from the rest of your business plan. It includes an overview of your company and business goals, your market analysis and financial outlook.

Although this section appears first within business plan templates, you will probably fill in this part last after you’ve completed the other areas. Think of this section as the key takeaways someone needs to know if they don’t bother reading the entire plan, the 30-second elevator pitch of what you’re hoping to accomplish that draws your audience in to learn more.

2. About the company

This is where you introduce your company to the readers of your business plan. This section should present:

• Your company name
• Your mission statement — your company’s purpose and reason for being
• Your business goals
• What type of company you are creating (LLC, S-Corp, etc.)
• Your team members (if any)
• The electrical services you plan to offer

3. Market analysis

This section should include your market research and cover the following key areas.

3.1 Industry analysis

What is the financial outlook for the overall construction industry? What’s the market size in your area and the potential for a new electrician or construction company in your market?

3.2 SWOT analysis

What are the potential strengths (competitive advantages), weaknesses, opportunities and threats for a new business like yours?

3.3 Target audience

Who are your target customers (residential or commercial or property managers, renters or homeowners)? What are their demographics?

3.4 Four P’s of marketing (product, place, promotion and price strategy)

This section should cover the following four P’s of marketing, essential to any marketing plan.

• Product: List the electrical services you plan to offer
• Place: Define the market or service area you plan to operate in
• Promotion: Go into detail about your marketing strategy — which marketing channels and tactics do you plan to use? How do you plan to reach, attract and convert new customers? Through word-of-mouth, social media or other methods?
• Price strategy: How do you plan to price your electrical services?

4. Financial plan

In this section, you should be prepared to include tables, charts and graphs and provide supporting financial statements for each of the key financials:

• Starting balance sheet
• Startup costs
• Projected cash flow — your financial projections for your income and expenses for the first three years
• Expected profit margin

5. Conclusion

Depending on the intended audience for this business plan, you may include a specific call-to-action. Direct them to your website to learn more or provide contact information for scheduling a meeting to learn about investing in your business.

What should your business plan cover? Top three questions your electrical contractor business plan should answer

Here are the critical questions you should answer in your business plan.

1. How do electrical contractors get clients?

Your electrical contractor business plan should include your electrician marketing plan , detailing how you plan to get clients, which channels you plan to use (social media, paid advertising, etc.) and your marketing budget.

2. Are electrical businesses profitable?

Your business plan should include a financial plan that lists your financial projections and spells out how you plan to have your own business become profitable. Include your:

• Projected cash flow
• Profit margins

3. What are the risks of being an electrical contractor?

Your business plan should include a SWOT analysis that details the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of starting an electrical contracting business. By proactively identifying risks, your audience will know you have done your homework.

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How to Write a Business Plan for a Electrical Contractor

• October 21, 2024

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your electrical contractor company, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in the business plan of your electrical contractor business. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Electrical Business Executive Summary

The executive summary of a business plan gives a sneak peek of the information about your business plan to lenders and/or investors.

If the information you provide here is not concise, informative, and scannable, potential lenders and investors will lose interest.

Though the executive summary is the first and the most important section, it should normally be the last section you write because it will have the summary of different sections included in the entire plan.

Why do you need a business plan for an electrical business?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

• Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
• Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
• Obtain a public or a private grant

How to write an executive summary for an electrical business?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in the business plan of your electrical business. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately.

Also make sure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages in total: it’s supposed to be a summary for investors and lenders who don’t have time to scroll through 40-50 pages, so keep it short and brief.

The executive summary usually consists of 5 major sub-sections:

• Business overview : start by introducing your proposed electrical contracting firm, where it is located, the services you will offer, and the pricing strategy you want to implement. Mention what sets you apart from other businesses. For example, you may be a master electrician with a decade of experience in designing electrical systems.
• Market analysis : summarise the market where you will operate and provide a brief about your target market , target audience , spending capability, etc. Also give certain data points about the electrical contractor business industry in the area where you want to operate (size and growth), as well as an overview of the main competitors, etc.
• People : introduce your electrical business’ management and employee structure. Provide a brief (no more than a couple of sentences each) of the knowledge and experience of the team. Also, mention how the company will be structured (management roles and reporting lines)
• Financial plan: how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach the break-even point and start making profits? You can include here a chart with your key financials (revenue, gross profit, net profit )
• Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last?

Electrical Contractor Financial Model Template | Excel Spreadsheet

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Electrical Business Overview

In this segment of the business plan, you will provide details about your proposed electrical contracting firm.

You must answer here some important questions that potential investors and lenders often ask about your business and operations. Here are some examples of questions you must answer:

• What is the rationale behind your opening an electrical contractor business today?
• In which location will you operate and why?
• What type of services will you offer?
• Are there specific types of services and/or industries that you specialize in?
• What will be your pricing strategy and why?
• What will be the legal structure of your company?

a) History of the Project

Any business overview must start with explaining the history of the project. There are 2 components here:

• Passion & experience of the business owner
• Rationale behind starting an electrical business today

Passion & experience

You must display your passion while at the same time, you must also showcase your experience. For instance, you may have 10 years of journeyman experience, or you may be a master electrician with the ability to design ground-breaking electrical systems.

Is there a certain problem (or perhaps, a set of problems) that your electrical contracting firm will try to solve when it comes into existence?

For example, there may be a steady increase in demand for commercial electrical contracting firms but there are only a few unorganized service providers incapable of efficiently handling commercial contracts.

The rationale behind your project must be backed up by a thorough analysis of the industry in the area where you plan to open your electrical contractor business. This is what we will cover under Market Overview further below.

b) Business Model

This section of the Business Overview should explain the model you want to adopt for your electrical contractor business. For example:

• Which target audience segment you will focus on and why?
• Is there enough demand for that segment in your focus area?
• What type of services you will offer?

What are the different types of e lectrical contractor companies?

You may choose one of the following:

• Residential Electrical Contractors: They usually collaborate with homeowners to design or install electrical systems
• Commercial Electrical Contractors : They usually focus on commercial and outdoor spaces like malls, shops, college campuses, gardens, parks, etc.
• Industrial Electrical Contractors : They usually focus on larger products like industrial manufacturing areas, warehouses, etc.

No matter what you select, you must ensure that there is enough demand for the type of electrical contracting firm you want to open and the range of services you will offer.

c) Services

The services you offer will depend on the type of customers you will serve and also on the skills you have. Provide a quick list of the major services that you will offer. Some services may include things like:

• Exterior and interior lighting
• Installation of safety systems & electronic appliances
• Electrical wiring and transmission line installation
• Repairs & upgrades, etc.

d) Pricing Strategy

This is where you will provide an overview of your pricing strategy. For instance, you may charge higher than your competitors because you may have a team of highly experienced electricians and also because you use high-quality wires and other materials than your competitors.

Similarly, you may decide to charge lower than your competitors because of the bulk purchase of products like wires, switches, etc., which allows you to bring down the cost of your services.

Whatever the case is, explain your pricing strategy and the logic behind it.

Pricing table

While it may not be possible to provide a proper pricing table for all services that you will offer, it is still a great idea to provide a table that gives an overview of your pricing structure.

Providing individual pricing for all services may not be possible, however, you may provide a range. For example:

• Smart systems installation: $75 to $150 per hour (depending on the system and area)
• Repair and upgrades: $80 to $120 per hour

However, don’t go into extreme details because potential investors are not interested in the nitty-gritty of your pricing. They just need the big picture to assess the profitability, because they will tie your pricing strategy with your financial projections later on.

e) Company Legal Structure

Finally, your business overview section should specify what type of business structure you want. Is this a corporation or a partnership (LLC)? Who are the investors? How much equity percentage do they own? Is there a Board of Directors? If so, whom? Do they have experience in the industry?

3. Electrical Business Market Overview

A complete understanding of the market where you want to operate is important for the success of your business. That’s also something you must showcase in your business plan.

For example, if there is a high demand for residential and commercial electrical contractors but you want to focus on industrial customers despite a very small market size , it may not be a great business decision.

Therefore, you must cover here 3 important areas:

• Market size & growth : how big is the electrical contractor business industry in your area? What is its growth rate (or decline rate) and what are the factors contributing to its growth or decline?
• Competition overview : how many competitors are there? What type of customers do they serve? What type of projects do they specialize in? How do they compare vs. your business? How can you differentiate yourself from them?
• Customer analysis : who is your target audience? How frequently do they require electrical contractor services? What is their yearly spending on electrical contractor services?

a) Electrical Contractor Industry Size & Growth

How big is the electrical contractor industry in the us.

In 2021 there were over 70,000 electrical contracting firms in the US employing about 650,000 electrical workers.

As per the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) the industry is worth $202 billion: that’s an average annual turnover of $2,800,000 per company! 

Also, the vast majority of electrical contractors are small businesses: over 80% of all businesses had less than 10 employees.

How big is the electrical contractor industry in your area?

After getting a clear picture of the electrical contractor business industry in the US as a whole, narrow down to your location. It’s very likely that you won’t find the number anywhere (at least not for free).

In that case, you can use our guide to estimate the TAM, SAM, and SOM for your business. Here is an example of how to do it:

We already know that the average annual turnover for electrical contracting firms in the US is $2.8 million. Therefore, if the area where you will operate (a city for example) has a total of 30 electrical contractors, the electrical service industry in the area is worth approximately $84 million.

What’s the market growth of the electrical contractor industry in your area?

Next on our list is market growth: is the industry growing or declining in your area?

US market growth can be a great addition to your business plan, yet it doesn’t necessarily help to assess the industry in your area of service. For example, the industry might be growing in the US, but declining in your region for a number of reasons (for example, the large commercial market may be contracting because businesses are shutting down due to losses, resulting in the closure of electrical contractor businesses that focused on the commercial market).

As you likely won’t find this information online, you can instead rely on the number of electrical contractor businesses in the location to calculate the average growth rate of the industry in your area.

For example, if the region had only 27 electrical contractor businesses in 2019 and 30 in 2021, you can assume that the average annual growth rate of the electrical contractor businesses industry in the area is around 5-6%.

b) Competition Overview

Studying your competitors’ business models is vital. You need to understand what makes them successful or why they fail. A clear understanding of their business model, the products they sell, their marketing strategies, etc., will allow you to provide a better service.

If your competitors are offering nearly the same services, then what is their market share and how do they market their products & services to attract new customers?

It is always a good idea to do some research (if necessary, you may consider physically visiting your competitors without revealing your business intentions) and create a comparative table summarizing their service offerings, marketing strategies, target audience, etc.

Here is a sample table that you can use:

Electrical Business SWOT Analysis

SWOT stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats. This analysis will help lenders and investors better understand how you compare vs. competitors as well as the overall risk and reward profile of your business.

Here is a sample that you can use as a reference:

• Strengths : 12 years of experience as a master electrician in a popular electrical contractor company
• Weaknesses : Startup cost, no initial brand reputation
• Increased construction of residential apartments due to demand spike in rental housing and builders are looking for skilled electricians for wiring everything (backup with data for population and real estate boom)
• Growth in retail stores and malls (because of population influx), which in turn has increased the demand for electricians for installation and maintenance (provide data)
• Increased commercial warehouse construction because of increased regional distribution centers by e-commerce retailers that require electrical installations (provide data and explain why there is an increase in commercial warehouse construction – for example, increased demand and hence imports of cheaper products)
• Threats : Big brands like Helix Electric, Bergelectric, & Cupertino Electric, Inc. are all eyeing the growing market

c) Customer Analysis

Finally, we need to look at your customers.

However, the first thing you must do is clearly define the target audience. For instance, you may serve individual households, commercial establishments, or even industrial establishments.

Some important points that you must include in your customer analysis include:

• How much do your target customers spend on electrical services per year?
• How frequently do they need electrical contractors?
• What type of electrical services do they usually require (fresh installations, inspections, repairs, etc.)?
• What type of electrical contractors do they usually hire (big brands, small contractors, individual electricians, etc.)?
• What do they dislike about the existing electrical contractors in the area (for example, slow response time)?

4. Sales & Marketing Strategy

This is the section where you outline your customer acquisition strategy. Try to answer here the following questions:

What is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?

• What are the different marketing strategies you will use?
• How do you intend to track the success of your marketing strategy ?
• What is your CAC or customer acquisition cost?
• What is your marketing budget?
• What introductory promos and offers do you intend to provide for attracting new customers?
• What marketing channels do electrical businesses use?

What marketing strategies do electrical contractors use?

A few marketing channels that electrical businesses typically use are:

• Signages, vehicle branding
• PPC ads (Google local services ads)
• Social media platforms
• Flyers & pamphlets
• Word of mouth, recommendations

It is not necessary to use all channels. Instead, you can start by focusing on a few of them, and include other marketing strategies later.

In other words, how do you differentiate yourself vs. competitors? This is very important as you might need to win customers from competitors.

A few examples of USPs are:

• Response Time : you may respond within 30 minutes (whatever you can commit to), which is faster than any competitor 
• Emergencies : you may have years of experience dealing with electrical emergencies that can potentially cause immense damage to life and property
• Free inspection : you may offer one free inspection of wiring and other installations once every quarter

Your USP will depend on your business model, competitor analysis , and target audience. Whatever your USP be, it should be clear and appealing to your target audience.

5. Management & People

You must address two things here:

• The management team and their experience
• The organization structure : different team members and who reports to whom?

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses. Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your electrical business.

Describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

It is also important that you explain how their experiences and qualifications help you in implementing the electrical business you are proposing. If they have specialized training and experience (master electrician or journeyman electrician for 8 years in a reputed electrical contractor firm), add that information.

Organization Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired electricians, trainees, managers, drivers, accountants, and other relevant staff members, you must provide a flowchart of the organizational structure defining hierarchy and reporting lines.

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan for an electrical contractor company.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your electrical contractor company is an attractive investment.

There should be 2 sections to your financial plan section:

• The startup costs of your company
• The 5-year financial projections

a) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project.

For an electrical contractor company, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you start making sales. These expenses typically are limited especially for small businesses and include:

• The lease deposit (if you rent an office and/or warehouse for your equipment)
• Electrical equipment, tools, etc.
• License & permits, business insurance, etc.

Of course, the startup costs depend on a number of factors, like the size of your business (employees), the services you plan to offer (which will dictate what equipment you may need), etc.

b) Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will also need to build a solid 5-year financial model in the business plan of your electrical company.

Note that your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in your business plan.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 10%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of contracts (customers) over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• Capex (cost to buy the equipment and vehicles, etc.)

When projecting your financials, make sure to sensitize sales volume (customers), pricing as well as the expenses (inventory, salaries, etc.). Indeed, a small change in these assumptions may have a significant impact on your revenues, and most importantly, your profits.

7. Use of Funds

This is the last section of the business plan of your electrical contractor company. Now that we have explained what your business model is, what type of services you offer, how you get customers, etc., this section must now answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any business plan for an electrical contractor company should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in paying your employees’ salaries and the COGS (inventory)? Or will it cover mostly the cost for acquiring the equipment and machines?

For the use of funds, we also recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

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Privacy overview.

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Electrical Contractor Business Plan

Used 4,920 times

This Electrical Contractor Business Plan template include information about the services you offer, who your target consumers are, why they should prefer you over your opponents and how much capital you require to get started.

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Electrical Contractor Business Plan Template

Created by:

​ [Contractor.FirstName] [Contractor.LastName] ​

​ [Contractor.Company] ​

Introduction

This business plan is for an electrical contracting company, [Contractor.Company] that will offer a range of services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. [Contractor.Company] will be owned and operated by [Contractor.FirstName] [Contractor.LastName] , who has (insert number) years of experience in the electrical industry.

Company Description

​ [Contractor.Company] will be located in [Contractor.City] , [Contractor.State] and will serve the surrounding area. The company will be registered as a (insert business structure, e.g., LLC, corporation, or partnership) and will have (insert number) employees at the start, including the owner. The company will offer services such as electrical installation, repair, and maintenance for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. The company will also provide energy efficiency consultations and solar panel installation.

Market Analysis

The electrical contracting industry is expected to grow at a rate of (percentage) over the next five years. The demand for electrical services is driven by population growth, construction activity, and the need for energy efficiency improvements. [Contractor.Company] will target residential, commercial, and industrial clients in the [Contractor.City] area, focusing on high-quality service and customer satisfaction.

Marketing Strategy

​ [Contractor.Company] will use a combination of traditional and digital marketing techniques to reach potential clients. This will include advertising in local newspapers and industry publications, as well as utilizing social media platforms and email marketing to promote services and specials. The company will also rely on word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers.

​ [Contractor. Company] will have a team of qualified electricians who will be responsible for completing projects in a timely and professional manner. The company will have a project manager who will oversee all projects and ensure that they are completed to the highest standards. The company will maintain a well-stocked warehouse with a variety of electrical supplies and equipment to ensure that projects can be completed efficiently.

Financial Plan

​ [Contractor.Company] will generate revenue through the sale of electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. The company will also generate revenue through the sale of electrical supplies and equipment. The company will have operating expenses, including payroll, rent, utilities, and insurance. The company expects to generate (Amount) in revenue in the first year, with a projected growth rate of (Percentage) per year.

​ [Contractor.Company] is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for electrical services in the [Contractor.City] area. With a team of experienced electricians, a focus on high-quality service, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, the company is confident that it will be successful in the competitive electrical contracting market.

​ [Client.FirstName] [Client.LastName] ​

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Electrical Contractor Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Electrical Contractor Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their electrical contracting businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through an electrical contractor business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an Electrical Contractor Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your electrical contractor business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for an Electrical Contracting Business

If you’re looking to start an electrical contractor business, or grow your existing electrical contractor business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your electrical contractor business in order to improve your chances of success. Your electrical contracting business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Electrical Contractor Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an electrical contractor business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the electrical contractor will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for electrical contractor businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an electrical contracting business.

If you want to start an electrical contracting business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are the details for each section of your electrical contractor business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of electrical contractor business you are operating and its status. For example, are you a start-up, do you have an electrical contractor business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of electrical contractor businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the electrical contractor industry. Discuss the type of electrical contractor business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target market. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of electrical contractor business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of electrical contractor businesses:

• Commercial Electrical Contractor : this type of electrical contractor business will focus on developing outdoor spaces such as college campuses, parks, gardens and more.
• Residential Electrical Contractor: this type of electrical contractor business collaborates with homeowners to design and/or install electrical and electronic systems.
• Industrial Electrical Contractor: this type of electrical contractor business works on large projects for manufacturers or warehouse facilities.

In addition to explaining the type of electrical contractor business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the electrical contractor industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the electrical contractor industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your electrical contractor business plan:

• How big is the electrical contractor industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your electrical contractor business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your electrical contractor business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: homeowners, businesses, general contractors, developers, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of electrical contractor business you operate. Clearly, a homeowner would respond to different marketing promotions than a local government, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most electrical contractor businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target audience. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other electrical contractor businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes in-house electricians and homeowners who do minor electrical work themselves. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other electrical contractor businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be electrical contractors located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What types of projects do they specialize in?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide a wider array of services?
• Will you provide special discounts or perks for returning customers?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an electrical contractor business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of electrical contracting business that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to installing traditional electrical systems, will you also install smart home control systems or fire and security systems?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your electrical contractor company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your electrical contractor business located in a growing community with a booming construction sector, etc.  Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your electrical contractor marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your business operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your electrical contractor business, including marketing your business, working on current projects, prepare for upcoming projects, and overseeing the entire project.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to install your 500 th electrical system, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your electrical contractor business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your electrical contractor business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing electrical contractor businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in overseeing construction projects or successfully running their own electrical contractor businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you work on 1 project at a time or will you oversee multiple projects at any given time? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your electrical contractor business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an electrical contractor business:

• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or contracts for upcoming projects.  

Putting together a business plan for your electrical contractor business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the electrical contractor industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful electrical contractor business.

Electrical Business Plan PDF

You can download our electrical business plan PDF to help you get started on your own business plan.

If you are looking for the quickest and easiest way to complete your business plan, Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template has numerous features not available in the free template including its financial projections template which automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your electrical business plan?

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Electrical Contractor Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Writing a Successful Business Plan For Your Electrical Contractor Business + Template

If you’re looking to start or grow an electrical contractor business, you need a business plan. Your plan will outline your business goals and strategies, and how you plan on achieving them. It will also detail the amount of funding you need, and if needed, present a case to investors and lenders regarding why they should invest in your business.

In this article, we’ll explain why you should invest the time and energy into creating a electrical contractor business plan, and provide you with a electrical contractor business plan template and  business plan sample  that includes an overview of what should be included in each section.

Download the Ultimate Electrical Contractor Business Plan Template here >

Why Write a Business Plan For an Electrical Contractor Business?

There are many reasons to write a business plan for an electrical contractor company, even if you’re not looking for funding. A business plan can help you see potential pitfalls in your business strategy, as well as identify opportunities you may not have considered. It can also help you track your progress and adjust your plans as needed.

That said, if you are looking for funding, a business plan is essential. Investors and lenders want to see that you have a solid understanding of your industry, your customers, and your competition. They also want to know that you have a realistic view of your financial situation and how much money you’ll need to get started.

How To Write a Business Plan For an Electrical Contractor Business

While every business plan is different, there are 10 essential components that all electrical contractor business plans should include:

Executive Summary

Company description, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitor analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management team, financial plan.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to tailor this information to your specific type of electrical contractor business, but these 10 components should be included in every plan.

The executive summary is the first section of your business plan, but it’s often written last. This is because it provides an overview of the entire document.

In the executive summary, briefly explain what your business does, your business goals, and how you plan on achieving them. You should also include a brief overview of your financial situation, including how much money you’ll need to get started.

The next section of your electrical contractor business plan is the company description, where you’ll provide an overview of your business.

Include information about your:

• Company Overview
• Success Factors & Accomplishments To Date
• How & When Incorporated

With regards to the company overview, here you will document the type of electrical contractor company you operate. For example, an electrical contractor company description might look something like this:

At Ampere Solutions, our services are carefully designed to meet a wide range of needs. We specialize in electrical installations, electrical repairs and troubleshooting, upgrades and retrofitting, emergency electrical services, and electrical safety inspections. Our expertise covers both residential and commercial sectors, ensuring that no matter the scale or complexity of the job, we’re fully equipped to handle it.

Operating from our base in Dubuque, IA, Ampere Solutions is well-positioned to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of our customers within the city. Our local presence not only makes us accessible but also enables us to foster strong relationships with the community we serve.

Our confidence in our success is grounded in several key factors. Firstly, the experience brought to the table by our founder, who has previously managed a successful electrical contractor, provides us with invaluable industry insight and business acumen. Additionally, our approach to providing essential support for the safe and efficient operation of electrical systems sets us apart from our competitors. We are not just a service provider; we are partners in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our clients’ electrical systems.

This is just an example, but your company description should give potential investors a clear idea of who you are, what you do, and why you’re the best at what you do.

The next section of your business plan is the industry analysis. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of the industry you’re in, as well as any trends or changes that might impact your business.

Questions you will want to answer include:

• What is the overall size of the electrical contractor industry?
• How is the industry growing or changing?
• What are the major trends affecting the electrical contractor industry?

For example, your industry analysis might look something like this:

Market research projects that the Electrical Contractor industry is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years. With increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, smart home technologies, and infrastructure upgrades, the industry is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 3% over the next five years.

This is just an example, but your industry analysis should give potential investors a clear idea of the overall industry, and how your company fits into that industry.

The next section of your electrical contractor business plan is the customer analysis. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of who your target customers are and what their needs are.

• Who are your target customers?
• What are their needs?
• How do they interact with your industry?
• How do they make purchasing decisions?

You want a thorough understanding of your target customers to provide them with the best possible products and/or services. Oftentimes, you will want to include the specific demographics of your target market, such as age, gender, income, etc., but you’ll also want to highlight the psychographics, such as their interests, lifestyles, and values.

This information will help you better understand your target market and how to reach them.

For example, your customer analysis might look something like this:

We will also target small to medium-sized businesses in the area that need electrical maintenance, installations, and energy-efficient solutions. These businesses will include retail stores, restaurants, and offices that require regular electrical services to ensure smooth operations. By offering tailored electrical solutions, we will help these businesses reduce downtime and improve energy efficiency.

In addition, we will serve property managers and real estate developers who need comprehensive electrical services for apartment complexes and new construction projects. This segment will benefit from our ability to handle large-scale installations and ongoing maintenance contracts. By establishing long-term relationships with these customers, we will secure repeat business and referrals for future projects.

In summary, your customer analysis should give potential investors a clear idea of who your target market is and how you reach them.

The next section of your business plan is the competitor analysis. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of who your major competitors are and their strengths and weaknesses.

• Who are your major competitors?
• What are their strengths and weaknesses?
• How do they compare to you?

You want to make sure that you have a clear understanding of your competition so that you can position yourself in the market. Creating a SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) for each of your major competitors helps you do this.

For example, your competitor analysis might look something like this:

Ampere Solutions’s competitors include the following companies:

Biechler electric.

Biechler Electric offers a range of electrical services including residential, commercial, and industrial installations. They provide electrical repairs, maintenance, and new construction wiring. Their price points are generally mid-range, catering to both budget-conscious and premium clients. Biechler Electric generates revenues estimated to be in the range of $1M – $5M annually. They are located centrally in Dubuque, IA, and primarily serve the local Dubuque market and surrounding areas. Their customer segments include homeowners, small businesses, and large industrial firms. A key strength is their long-standing reputation and experienced workforce. However, their weakness lies in limited geographical reach beyond the immediate Dubuque area.

A & G Electric

A & G Electric provides comprehensive electrical contracting services including design-build, electrical maintenance, and emergency services. They specialize in both residential and commercial projects. Their pricing is competitive, often offering package deals for larger projects. Revenues for A & G Electric are estimated to be between $2M – $6M annually. They are based in Dubuque, IA, with additional service locations in nearby towns. Their customer segments include residential homeowners, commercial property managers, and government entities. They excel in customer service and have a strong portfolio of completed projects. On the downside, their scheduling can sometimes be tight, leading to longer wait times for service.

Budget Electric

Your competitor analysis should give potential lenders and investors a clear idea of who your major competitors are and how you compare to them.

The next section of your business plan is the marketing plan. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of your marketing strategy and how you plan on executing it.

Specifically, you will document your “4 Ps” as follows:

• Products/Services : Here is where you’ll document your product/service offerings.
• Price : Detail your pricing strategy here.
• Place : Document where customers will find you and whether you will use distribution channels (e.g., partnerships) to reach them.
• Promotion : Here you will document how you will reach your target customers. For instance, electrical contractor businesses often reach new customers via promotional tactics including advertising and online marketing.

For example, your marketing plan might look something like this:

Electrical Installations are a core offering from Ampere Solutions, covering everything from wiring new buildings to installing lighting fixtures and electrical panels. The average cost for these services typically ranges between $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the project’s complexity and scope.

Electrical Repairs and Troubleshooting services address immediate issues like faulty wiring, malfunctioning electrical outlets, and circuit breaker problems. Ampere Solutions charges an average of $80 to $120 per hour for these services, with the total cost varying based on the time required to diagnose and fix the problem.

Upgrades and Retrofitting services help clients modernize their electrical systems to improve efficiency and safety. This can include upgrading electrical panels, installing energy-efficient lighting, or retrofitting older buildings to meet current electrical codes. The average price for these services ranges from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the specific requirements.

Emergency Electrical Services are available 24/7 to handle urgent electrical issues that could pose a risk to safety or property. Given the urgent nature of these services, Ampere Solutions typically charges a premium, with costs averaging between $150 to $250 per hour.

Electrical Safety Inspections are essential for ensuring that electrical systems comply with local codes and regulations. These inspections can identify potential hazards and provide recommendations for improvements. The average cost for a thorough electrical safety inspection ranges from $300 to $600, based on the size and complexity of the property.

As you can see, your marketing plan should give potential investors a clear idea of your marketing objectives, strategies, and tactics.

The next section of your business plan is the operations plan. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of your company’s day-to-day operations and how they will be structured.

• What are your company’s daily operations?
• How are your company’s operations structured?

Your operations plan should be detailed and concise. You want to make sure that potential investors have a clear understanding of your company’s day-to-day operations and how they are structured.

You will also include information regarding your long-term goals for your operations and how you plan on achieving them.

For example, your operations plan might look something like this:

• Client Consultation and Assessment: Conduct initial consultations to understand client needs and perform on-site assessments.
• Project Planning: Develop detailed project plans including timelines, resource allocation, and budget estimates.
• Permitting and Compliance: Secure necessary permits and ensure all work complies with local and national electrical codes.
• Material Procurement: Source and order high-quality materials and equipment needed for projects.
• Team Coordination: Assign tasks to team members and ensure effective communication among team members.
• On-Site Execution: Perform electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance according to project specifications.
• Quality Control: Conduct regular inspections to ensure work meets quality standards and client expectations.
• Client Updates: Provide regular updates to clients on project progress and address any concerns promptly.
• Safety Protocols: Implement and monitor safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of all projects, including contracts, permits, and work logs.
• Billing and Invoicing: Prepare and send invoices to clients promptly and manage accounts receivable.
• Post-Project Follow-Up: Conduct post-project reviews with clients to ensure satisfaction and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
• Marketing and Business Development: Implement marketing strategies to attract new clients and expand the business.
• Training and Development: Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for employees to stay updated with industry standards.
• Technology Integration: Utilize industry-specific software for project management, scheduling, and customer relationship management.

Your operations plan should give readers a clear idea of your company’s day-to-day operations, how they are structured, and your long-term goals for the company.

The next section of your business plan is the management team. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of your management team and their experience.

• Who is on your management team?
• What are their qualifications?
• What is their experience?

Your management team ideally includes individuals who are experts in their respective fields. You want to make sure that lenders and investors have a clear understanding of your management team’s qualifications and experience, and feel they can execute on your plan.

For example, your management team might look something like this:

Ampere Solutions management team, which includes the following members, has the experience and expertise to successfully execute on our business plan:

Jacob thompson, ceo.

Your management team should give potential lenders and investors a clear idea of who is on your team and how their qualifications and experience will help your company succeed.

The final core section of your business plan is the financial plan. In this section, you’ll need to provide an overview of your company’s financials.

• What are your company’s projected revenues?
• What are your company’s projected expenses?
• What is your company’s projected growth rate?
• How much funding do you need and for what purposes?

Your financial plan should give potential investors a clear understanding of your company’s financials. While you may include a summary of this information in this section, you will include full financial statements in the appendix of your business plan.

For example, your financial plan might look something like this:

This is just an example, but your financial plan should give potential investors a clear idea of your company’s financial projections.

The final section of your business plan is the appendix. In this section, you’ll need to provide any additional information that was not included in the previous sections.

This may include items such as:

• Full financial statements
• Resumes of key management team members
• Letters of reference
• Articles or press releases
• Marketing materials
• Product information
• Any other relevant information

By including this information in the appendix, you are allowing potential investors and lenders to learn more about your company.

In summary, writing an electrical contractor business plan is a vital step in the process of starting and/or growing your own business.

A business plan will give you a roadmap to follow. It can also help you attract investors and partners.

By following the tips outlined in this article, you can be sure that your business plan will be effective and help you achieve your goals.  

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