THE ESTIMATING ANSWER
Estimate under-cabinet lighting installation by measuring the defined one kitchen cabinet run, separating product allowances from labour and setting out the work sequence and exclusions. This fictional Cardiff example uses 7 itemised lines totalling £1,786.82; its exact quantities and rates appear in the paired app PDF.
The worked job is one kitchen cabinet run in Cardiff. The written scope is: Fit selected task lighting under a kitchen cabinet run with suitable driver, switching and an agreed power route. Its matching itemised example shows how that description becomes quantities, allowances and a PDF. These figures are fictional inputs for learning the method, so check the real site, specification and supplier or subcontractor costs before quoting.
1. Define the measured job
Fit selected task lighting under a kitchen cabinet run with suitable driver, switching and an agreed power route. Measure illuminated length, cabinet breaks, driver space and cable path. Record the measurements and existing condition in the estimate before turning quantities into line items. The scope should make clear why this is a separate project from a broader renovation or maintenance quote.
Measure for this job: Measure illuminated length, cabinet breaks, driver space and cable path. Record the measured basis next to the relevant cost lines, since a room count, fitted length and purchased product quantity may each use a different unit.
2. Build a product and labour schedule
Separate light strip or bars, driver and profiles from installation labour. This example has 7 distinct lines, including lighting layout and protection, light product allowance, driver and control allowance. Use actual supplier prices and labour inputs for a customer job; the displayed amounts are fictional document inputs.
Choose before pricing: Separate light strip or bars, driver and profiles from installation labour. Keep a named allowance when the selection is open, and replace it once the actual product and delivery terms are known.
3. Sequence the work and handoffs
Agree colour temperature and switching before the cabinets are drilled. Show which task depends on access, a selected product or another trade. If that dependency is still open, label the price preliminary and identify the information needed before a firm quote.
Plan the handoffs: Agree colour temperature and switching before the cabinets are drilled. State which stage needs access or inspection before the next can begin, especially if a concealed condition might stop the work.
4. Set a change boundary
Hidden services or unavailable power can change the cable route. The example excludes kitchen rewiring, cabinet replacement or new worktop. Record the discovery, agree the revised work and update the estimate before adding it to the job.
Change trigger: Hidden services or unavailable power can change the cable route. If this happens, write down the revised quantity and responsibility before adding an item to the customer estimate.
Worked project calculation
The paired PDF has 7 cost lines. For example, Light product allowance is 5.5 metres × £89.24 = £490.82; Cable routing labour is 6 hours × £76.00 = £456.00. Each amount is the stated quantity multiplied by its unit rate. Recheck whether a line describes installed work, a material purchase allowance or a distinct visit before changing its quantity.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting layout and protection | 1 lump sum | £120.00 | £120.00 |
| Light product allowance | 5.5 metres | £89.24 | £490.82 |
| Driver and control allowance | 1 set | £208.00 | £208.00 |
| Profile and cable allowance | 1 lump sum | £144.00 | £144.00 |
| Cable routing labour | 6 hours | £76.00 | £456.00 |
| Light fitting and connection | 1 lump sum | £288.00 | £288.00 |
| Test and clean-up | 1 lump sum | £80.00 | £80.00 |
| Illustrative total | £1,786.82 | ||
Adding the 7 exact line amounts gives £1,786.82. The PDF uses a 0% tax input and no markup solely to display this arithmetic. Decide the appropriate tax, overhead and profit treatment for an actual job; the fictional rates are not local averages or price recommendations.
Scope and price boundaries
Fit selected task lighting under a kitchen cabinet run with suitable driver, switching and an agreed power route.
Outside this example: No kitchen rewiring, cabinet replacement or new worktop.
The role in this brief is electrical contractor. Confirm who supplies the selected products, makes the site safe, removes waste and signs off the work. Where opening up reveals a different condition, document it and issue a revised scope and price rather than silently extending the base estimate. Also check access, drying or curing time, and the client handoff described in the work sequence.
Before you send
- Measure illuminated length, cabinet breaks, driver space and cable path.
- Separate light strip or bars, driver and profiles from installation labour.
- Agree colour temperature and switching before the cabinets are drilled.
- Hidden services or unavailable power can change the cable route.
Compare the written scope with every line in the under-cabinet lighting installation PDF example. The preview below is the first page of the actual app export; open the PDF to inspect its full scope, notes and amounts.
Questions about this job
Which quantity controls this under-cabinet lighting installation estimate?
Measure illuminated length, cabinet breaks, driver space and cable path.
When should this under-cabinet lighting installation quote be revised?
Hidden services or unavailable power can change the cable route. No kitchen rewiring, cabinet replacement or new worktop.
FROM SITE NOTES TO AN ITEMISED PDF
Build your own under-cabinet lighting installation estimate
Enter the project boundary and your measured lines in Estimates on iPhone or Android. Edit the fictional quantities and rates, add the actual business and client details, then inspect the PDF before sharing it.
