Overview
Low-voltage jobs are about the cable plan, and the cable plan lives in the ceiling
Low-voltage work is everything inside the building that isn't mains. Cat6 and Cat6a runs for data, fibre between floors, BNC for analogue CCTV, alarm cabling, and the patch panels that bring them all together in a comms rack. The cost is in the labour: pulling cable through ceilings, dropping into trunking, terminating cleanly, testing every run with a Fluke and printing the certs. A quote that lists 'data points, fitted' at a flat per-point rate hides the cable runs, the patch panel work, and the cert testing, and the customer with the cheaper quote ends up with untested cables and no paperwork.
QuoteGenio gives low-voltage technicians a structure that prices the labour properly. Cable type and length by run (Cat6, Cat6a, fibre, control), terminations and patching, racks and patch panels by U size, labelling, and Fluke certification with reports as the final line. Containment (trunking, basket, conduit) priced separately because the customer's chosen environment changes the time. Send via WhatsApp from the survey with a floor plan attached, take a deposit on the materials order, raise progress invoices as each floor or section completes, and the final invoice attaches the certification PDFs against the same record.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for LV contractors doing office cabling, fibre runs, VoIP installs, and rack build-outs.
The problem
The quoting frustrations every LV technician faces
LV quotes cover drops, patches, rack space, testing, and certification. Miss any and the network doesn't pass commissioning.
Office fit-out quotes take days
A 40-drop office fit-out takes a morning to survey and two evenings to quote. Meanwhile the main contractor's programme moves on without you.
Per-drop costing mistakes
Clients see 'cabling: R56,192' and can't compare. Without per-drop pricing on the quote, change-order negotiations become a fight instead of a calculation.
Testing and certification missed
Main contractors require Cat6A test reports on every drop. Without a certification line on the quote, you either eat the Fluke test time or get blamed for sloppy work.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes LV quoting clean
A structured workflow covering drops, patches, rack, termination, testing, and certification in one professional PDF.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for LV cabling
Line items for drops, patches, rack, termination, labelling, Fluke testing, and certification. Structured the way LV quotes should be.
Works from the site walk
Walk the floor plan, count outlets, and send the quote before leaving. No more late nights on drop counts.
Quote in under 10 minutes
Reusable templates with standard drop, patch, and rack pricing mean a full multi-room quote is a handful of taps.
Professional every time
Your branding, per-drop clarity, test certification standard (TIA-568, Class E, etc), and commissioning report. Main contractors expect professional quotes.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how low voltage technicians actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Low Voltage Technicians choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Low Voltage Technicians build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Low Voltage Technicians job pricing
A rough guide to what LV technicians charge for common office and commercial data cabling. Pricing moves with cable grade (Cat6, Cat6A, fibre), run length, and whether certification is required. Use these ranges as a reference point.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Site survey and drop schedule | R1,983 - R4,628 |
| Cat6 UTP data drop (per drop) | R1,570 - R2,975 |
| Cat6A shielded drop (per drop) | R2,314 - R3,966 |
| Single-mode fibre termination (per strand) | R1,405 - R2,975 |
| 24-port patch panel + wall box | R2,975 - R6,941 |
| 12U wall-mount rack with cable management | R5,619 - R11,238 |
| Fluke certification per drop | R198 - R364 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Site surveys for LV involve floor-plan mark-ups and rack location planning. Charge R1,983 to R4,628 credited back on signed install. On fit-out tenders, the site survey doubles as your drop schedule, which is the deliverable the main contractor needs. Charge for it, it's engineering.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Quote structured cabling fixed price per drop once the drop schedule is agreed. Use hourly (R1,405 to R2,149 per hour) for fault-finding, adds-moves-changes, and VoIP configuration. Fluke testing is usually per-drop but can be hourly on older systems.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here's a clean 24-drop office fit-out quote. Every cost is visible. Per-drop pricing, patch panel, rack, cable management, Fluke certification, and the test report. Main contractors compare LV quotes on per-drop rate. Clarity wins the bid.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Office fit-out: 24 data drops with rack and certification
Cat6 UTP data drops, terminated both ends
24-port Cat6 patch panel
12U wall-mount rack with fan and PDU
Cable management, labels, patch leads (24)
Fluke Cat6 certification test (per drop)
Commissioning and test-report PDF delivery
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat6 UTP data drops, terminated both ends | 24 | R2,066 | R49,581 |
| 24-port Cat6 patch panel | 1 | R3,636 | R3,636 |
| 12U wall-mount rack with fan and PDU | 1 | R7,933 | R7,933 |
| Cable management, labels, patch leads (24) | 1 | R4,297 | R4,297 |
| Fluke Cat6 certification test (per drop) | 24 | R264 | R6,346 |
| Commissioning and test-report PDF delivery | 1 | R2,975 | R2,975 |
| Subtotal | R74,768 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R7,477 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R82,245 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Patch leads (short and long), cable management rings and velcro, port labels and floor-plan mark-up, rack PDU, rack cooling fan, Fluke test report in PDF, and the 12-month warranty on terminations. Template these every time.
Peer snapshot
How Low Voltage Technicians actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Low Voltage Technicians on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
35
Quotes sent per month
59%
Average quote acceptance
3 min
Median time to send quote
R82,245
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Low Voltage Technician jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
LV quoting mistakes come from underestimating the small items that add up on big fit-outs. Fix these and your margin on 40-drop jobs will improve meaningfully, plus your clients will get clean handovers that generate referrals.
Mistake: Not quoting certification per drop
Better: Commercial clients and main contractors expect a Fluke or equivalent test report on every drop. Quote certification as a per-drop line (R198 to R364). Bundling it into labour hides the cost and you absorb it when the scope grows from 24 to 40 drops. Always itemise.
Mistake: Skipping patch leads
Better: A rack without patch leads is useless. Quote short patch leads (0.5m from switch to panel) and longer leads as needed. Typically 2 leads per drop (R66 to R132 each). Small number but on a 40-drop job it's R6,611 that disappears if you forget it.
Mistake: No allowance for cable trays and containment
Better: Above-ceiling cable trays are the main contractor's responsibility on new builds but the LV contractor's on retrofit. Clarify on the quote: 'Assumes existing containment available, additional containment quoted separately'. Missing this means a day lost to tray installation on install day.
Mistake: Underquoting fibre termination
Better: Fibre is precision work. Single-mode splice-on connectors cost R297 to R661 per strand in materials alone, plus R1,405 to R2,975 per strand in skilled labour. Never quote fibre by the hour, always per strand. Clients who cheap out on fibre termination always regret it.
Mistake: No rack PDU on the quote
Better: Racks need metered PDUs for the switch and ancillary equipment. Quote a basic 6-outlet PDU (R1,322 to R2,975) or a metered PDU for commercial (R4,628 to R10,247) as part of the rack line. Skipping it means install-day plugging into a wall socket and cables trailing out of the rack.
Mistake: Vague adds-moves-changes rate
Better: Every office has adds, moves, and changes (MACs) post-handover. Publish a clear rate on your quote terms (R1,405 to R2,066 per hour, 30-minute minimum plus per-drop charge for new drops). Clients who know your MAC rate upfront call you for small work. Clients who don't call someone cheaper.
Mistake: Forgetting labels and floor-plan mark-up
Better: Every drop should be labelled at the outlet and at the patch panel, and the floor plan marked up with drop numbers. Quote it as a named 'Labelling and as-built documentation' line (R1,983 to R5,289). Main contractors need this for handover. It's a small line but it's the difference between looking professional and looking unfinished.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote low voltage and structured cabling jobs
Walk the floor plan and mark outlet positions with the client or main contractor. Count drops per room, note each run length to the proposed rack location, and decide cable grade per drop: Cat6 for standard office loading, Cat6A for anything requiring 10GbE to desk or runs over 55 metres. Check whether containment (above-ceiling trays, dado trunking, floor boxes) is already there or whether you are providing it, and photograph the comms room with rack dimensions and spare power. For multi-floor or inter-building backbones, decide single-mode or multi-mode fibre by distance. Log whether work must happen after-hours because the office is live, and capture that on the quote from the start.
Itemise per drop with cable grade spelled out ('Cat6 UTP data drop, terminated both ends, tested'). Break out the 24-port patch panel, the 12U wall-mount rack with fan and PDU, cable management rings, velcro, and short and long patch leads as their own lines because these small items become $ 400 of lost margin on a 40-drop job if forgotten. List Fluke certification at $ 12 to $ 22 per drop as a named line, never bundled into labour, because main contractors expect the test report PDF as a deliverable. Add commissioning, labelling, and as-built drawing mark-up at $ 120 to $ 320. For fibre, quote per-strand termination ($ 85 to $ 180) because splice-on connectors and skilled labour are precision work.
Set a 30 day validity on LV quotes because Cat6 and Cat6A cable pricing tracks copper spot, and fibre termination kit stock cycles with supplier imports. State clearly on the quote whether the scope assumes existing containment or new trays, and note that any additional tray work discovered on site is a variation. Quote live-office after-hours work at 1.5x standard (weekdays 18:00 to 22:00) and 2x for weekends, on the quote from day one rather than as a surprise on invoice day. Ask for a 40 percent deposit on fit-out projects against cable and rack order. Offer a 12 month workmanship warranty on terminations with the cable manufacturer warranty (typically 15 to 25 years on branded Cat6) passing through separately.
Send the quote before you leave the site meeting. Main contractors move fast on programme and the LV sub who lands first with a per-drop PDF and certification line usually gets the trade. Build the quote on your phone during the walk, share it as a WhatsApp link or email before you go, and follow up the next day because fit-out programmes shift hourly. Publish a clear adds-moves-changes rate of $ 85 to $ 125 per hour with a 30 minute minimum plus a per-drop charge for new drops, so clients call you back for small work rather than someone cheaper. Every MAC goes out as a numbered variation quote referencing the original drop schedule.
FAQ
Common questions from low voltage technicians
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Add per-drop pricing with the total drop count. Makes MACs (adds-moves-changes) simple to price later.
Yes. Share the quote as a link via WhatsApp from your phone. Main contractors open it on their phone instantly.
Yes. Always itemise certification per drop. It's work, it has its own cost, and commercial clients expect it on the quote.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. The client accepts online.
Yes. One click converts the accepted quote to an invoice.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required.
Cat6 supports 1GbE comfortably and 10GbE up to 55m. Cat6A supports 10GbE to 100m and has better shielding for noisy environments. For small office fit-outs (under 50 drops, standard office loading) Cat6 is fine. For data centres, medical facilities, or where 10GbE-to-desk is planned, quote Cat6A. On the quote, state the cable grade and a one-line rationale: 'Cat6 selected for standard office loading, 1GbE to desk'. Main contractors respect the reasoning and it positions you as the expert rather than the cheapest option.
For short-to-medium distances (under 90m) between floors in an office, Cat6A copper is fine and cheaper to terminate. For longer runs, between buildings, or where EMI is a concern, quote multi-mode or single-mode fibre. Multi-mode for runs under 300m, single-mode for longer or future-proofing. State clearly on the quote: 'Backbone: 2x single-mode 12-strand between Comms Room A and Comms Room B, terminated LC'. Specificity protects you from 'we assumed it was copper' disputes later. Fibre is more expensive to install but more durable and future-proof, worth explaining on larger quotes.
Quote the cabling infrastructure separately from the VoIP system. Cabling is physical (drops, patches, rack), VoIP is a software and licensing layer on top. Structure the quote in two sections: 'Infrastructure: data drops and rack' and 'VoIP: phones, PBX, extensions, licences'. This lets the client see the one-off cabling cost versus the ongoing VoIP subscription. It also makes it clear that if the client changes VoIP provider later, the cabling is reusable. Never bundle the two into one 'phone system' line, because it hides the reusable infrastructure value.
Yes. Offer a clear warranty statement on every quote: '12-month warranty on workmanship and terminations; cable itself carries manufacturer warranty (typically 15 to 25 years for branded Cat6). Warranty does not cover cable damage from drilling, office relocations, or third-party interventions'. Main contractors and facilities managers appreciate the clarity. Without it, every loose connector becomes a warranty call even years later. Putting the warranty terms in writing sets expectations and protects your margin on call-outs.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Explore more
Related trades in Electrical & Energy
QuoteGenio is built for a whole family of trades. Explore other pages that might fit how you work.
Reviews
Trusted by tradespeople
Real feedback from people who quote for a living.
"The statements feature is brilliant for my monthly retainer clients. Everything looks polished and my clients pay faster."
Aoife O'Sullivan
Landscape Designer · Dublin
"I used to send long email quotes that clients would ignore. Now I send a clean quote link and get responses much quicker."
Emily Carter
Freelance Designer · London
"The templates look incredibly professional. My clients in Italy are always impressed by the branding. Huge time saver."
Sofia Ricci
Interior Designer · Milan
Guides
Guides for Low Voltage Technicians
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
Free forever plan
Start quoting faster. Win more jobs.
Create professional quotes in minutes, send instantly, and stay on top of your work without the admin slowing you down.
Free to start. No credit card required.