What to Expect During a Commercial Electrical Site Assessment

Before any quote for commercial electrical work is worth trusting, someone needs to actually see the building. Here's what that visit involves, why it matters more than people expect, and what to have ready so it doesn't take longer than it needs to.

Why a phone estimate isn't enough

Two buildings with the same square footage can need completely different electrical work, depending on existing wiring condition, how many tenants share the space, and what equipment is actually running. A quote given without seeing any of that is a guess, not an estimate, and it's the reason quotes sometimes double once work starts.

What we're actually checking

• Existing distribution boards and switchgear. Condition, capacity, and whether they can support what you're planning to add.
• Load requirements. What's running now, and what you expect to run in the next few years, since undersizing early is the most common expensive mistake.
• Cable routing and access. Ceiling voids, wall cavities, and how easily new wiring can be run without excessive disruption.
• Existing wiring condition, particularly in older buildings, to flag fire or safety risks before they become part of someone else's problem.
• Occupancy and access constraints, if the site is operating, so work can be phased around business hours instead of forcing a shutdown.

What helps if you have it ready

• Any existing electrical drawings or as-built plans, even outdated ones
• A rough list of equipment you're planning to run, especially anything power-hungry
• Access to distribution boards and the meter room
• Whoever knows the building's day-to-day operations, in case there are constraints we wouldn't otherwise know about

What happens after the visit

You get a written scope and quote based on what we actually found, not a template. If the job includes distribution work, backup power, or anything covered in our guide on what drives commercial electrical costs in Nairobi, the quote will break that out clearly so you know what you're paying for and why.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a site assessment take?
For a single office floor, usually an hour or two. Larger or multi-tenant buildings take longer, since we're checking load at each distribution point, not just walking through.

Do I need to be present?
Someone who knows the building, ideally the facility manager or owner, should be available to answer questions about equipment loads and future plans, since that shapes the quote.

Is the assessment free?
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