Electrical Panel Upgrade RFP Template

Your existing electrical service is undersized, aging, or required for a building expansion / EV charging / new tenant. Common in older commercial and multi-unit residential buildings.

Electrical Panel / Service Upgrade — [Property Name]

Upgrade existing [X]A main electrical service to [X]A at our [property type]. Includes new main panel, utility coordination, and any required sub-panel work.

Scope of work:
- Engineering / design (or coordination with our consulting engineer).
- Utility coordination for service upgrade (LDC connection / metering).
- Decommission existing main panel.
- Supply and install new [X]A main panel with appropriate breaker configuration.
- Supply and install [#] new sub-panels (if required).
- New service conductors from utility connection to panel.
- All grounding and bonding per Canadian Electrical Code.
- ESA / provincial inspection coordination and certificate.
- Permits.
- Tenant downtime: managed to under [X] hours; after-hours work if needed (disclose premium).

Add-alternates:
- New sub-panels per floor / per area.
- EV charging panel + circuit allowance.
- Generator transfer switch.
- Surge protection.

- Master electrician on staff.
- ESA-licensed contractor (Ontario) or provincial equivalent.
- $5M general liability insurance.
- WSIB clearance.
- Three references for similar service upgrades in the last 24 months.
- Plan for managing tenant power outage during cut-over.
- Coordination with local utility and building inspector.

1. RFP open: 30 days.
2. Site walk: Top 3 bidders walk site with engineer.
3. Award: Within 2 weeks of site walks.
4. Permit + utility lead time: Typically 4–12 weeks for service upgrade approval.
5. Installation: Cut-over typically 1 evening / weekend; full project 4–6 weeks.

Main electrical room access via [location]. Cut-over to be scheduled off-hours to minimize tenant impact.

• What's the engineering / permit cost, and is it included?
• What's the lead time from award to utility cut-over?
• How will you manage tenant power outage?
• Per-unit cost for additional sub-panels (add-alts)?
• What ESA / inspection costs are included?

1. Total installed cost.
2. Engineering / utility coordination quality.
3. Tenant downtime plan.
4. References for similar service upgrades.
5. Master electrician and crew experience.