Networking Quotation Format
A networking quotation competes against a customer's assumption that "it is only some cables and a switch". The work that makes a network reliable, such as proper termination, a tidy rack, labels and test results, is invisible unless you write it down. A good networking quotation shows the customer exactly what they get for each network point.
This page explains how to quote structured cabling and small office networks, with a sample for a 24-node office with Wi-Fi.
Quote by node, and say what a node includes
Most network installers price labour per node: one cable run from the rack to a wall or floor outlet, terminated at both ends. Define a node in the quotation: "Each node includes laying up to 40 m of Cat6 cable in casing, termination on the patch panel and the I/O outlet, testing and labelling." Runs longer than that, or through difficult routes, can be charged extra.
Material is easier to quote by box and piece. Cat6 cable comes in 305 m boxes; estimate total cable by multiplying the number of nodes by the average run length and adding 10 percent, then round up to whole boxes.
What to include in a networking quotation
- Cable: category (Cat6 or Cat6A), UTP or shielded, indoor or outdoor, and brand.
- Active equipment: switch port count, gigabit or faster, managed or unmanaged, and PoE budget if it powers cameras or access points.
- Passive equipment: patch panel, I/O modules, face plates, patch cords and cable manager.
- Rack: size in U, wall or floor mounted, with shelves, fans and a power distribution unit.
- Wi-Fi: number and type of access points, mounting, and whether a coverage check is included.
- Containment: PVC casing, conduit or cable tray, in metres.
- Testing and documentation: continuity or certification testing, port labels and a port map handed over to the customer.
- Exclusions: internet connection, ISP router, electrical power points, civil and false ceiling work.
Sample networking quotation (24-node office LAN with Wi-Fi)
NetLink Infra Solutions
Ahmedabad GSTIN 24ABCDE1234F1Z5 (sample)
QUOTATION
- Quotation No.
- QT/2026-27/008
- Date
- 01 Oct 2026
- Valid till
- 16 Oct 2026
Bill To
Patel & Associates
Chartered Accountants, Navrangpura
Subject: Structured cabling and Wi-Fi for new office (24 nodes)
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns
| # | Item | Qty | Unit | Rate (₹) | GST | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24-port gigabit smart switch with 4 SFP uplinks | 1 | Nos | 14,500.00 | 18% | 14,500.00 |
| 2 | Cat6 UTP cable, 305 m box | 3 | Box | 9,800.00 | 18% | 29,400.00 |
| 3 | 24-port Cat6 patch panel, loaded | 1 | Nos | 4,200.00 | 18% | 4,200.00 |
| 4 | Cat6 I/O module with face plate and box | 24 | Nos | 280.00 | 18% | 6,720.00 |
| 5 | Cat6 patch cords, 1 m and 2 m | 48 | Nos | 120.00 | 18% | 5,760.00 |
| 6 | 9U wall-mount rack with shelf, fan and PDU | 1 | Nos | 8,500.00 | 18% | 8,500.00 |
| 7 | Wi-Fi 6 ceiling access point, PoE | 2 | Nos | 7,800.00 | 18% | 15,600.00 |
| 8 | PVC casing and capping, 25 mm | 120 | Mtr | 45.00 | 18% | 5,400.00 |
| 9 | Cable laying and termination per node (up to 40 m) | 24 | Nodes | 350.00 | 18% | 8,400.00 |
| 10 | Testing, labelling and port map documentation | 1 | Job | 3,000.00 | 18% | 3,000.00 |
Terms & Conditions
- Access point locations subject to site check; extra AP at quoted rate.
- Internet connection and ISP router by customer.
- Power points near rack and access points by customer's electrician.
- Warranty: active equipment as per manufacturer; cabling workmanship 1 year.
For NetLink Infra Solutions
Authorised signatory
Bank / UPI (sample)
Sample Bank, A/c 000123456789, IFSC SAMP0001234
UPI: netlinkinfrasolutions@upi
Scan to Pay (sample)
Download this format: ExcelWordPDF
Sample for reference only. Rates are typical figures and vary by city and brand. GSTIN, bank and UPI details are made up. GST rates shown are common rates; confirm the current rate for your items with your accountant.
Labelling and the port map
Six months after installation, the office will call you because a desk has no network. If every outlet and patch panel port carries the same label and the customer has a simple port map, you or their IT person can trace the fault in minutes. Without labels, it can take hours.
Include labelling and a port map as a named line in the quotation, even if the amount is small. It separates you from installers who leave a tangle of unmarked blue cables, and it is a real reason to choose you over a cheaper quote.
Wi-Fi: avoid promising coverage you have not checked
Walls, glass partitions and the number of users change how far Wi-Fi reaches. If you have not walked the site with a phone or a survey app, write "Access point locations are proposed and may change after site check" and quote a rate for any extra access point. That is better than promising "full coverage" and adding units later at your own cost.
Faster networking quotations
Networking quotations change mainly in node count and cable boxes. In Quotely Pro you save your switches, cable, modules and per-node labour once, copy a previous office quotation, change the counts, and send the PDF on WhatsApp. After handover, you can issue a warranty certificate for the switch, access points and cabling work, with expiry dates you can track in Reports for AMC renewals. Networking often comes together with cameras, so see the CCTV quotation format too, and quote the two as separate sections so the customer can approve each.
Frequently asked questions
What should a networking quotation include?
A networking quotation should list cable category and quantity, switch details, patch panel, I/O outlets and patch cords, rack size and accessories, Wi-Fi access points, casing or conduit, per-node labour, testing and labelling, and exclusions such as the internet connection and power points.
How is network cabling charged per node?
A node is one cable run from the rack to an outlet, terminated at both ends and tested. Installers usually charge a fixed labour rate per node for runs up to a stated length, with extra charges for longer or difficult runs. Material is charged separately.
How do I calculate Cat6 cable quantity for a quotation?
Multiply the number of nodes by the average cable run length, add about 10 percent for routing and termination, and round up to whole 305 m boxes. For 24 nodes averaging 35 m, that is about 924 m, or 3 boxes.
Should I use a managed or unmanaged switch for a small office?
An unmanaged switch is enough for a simple office network. A smart or managed switch is useful when you need VLANs to separate cameras or guests, or want to monitor ports. State the switch type clearly so the customer can compare quotations fairly.
Why include labelling and a port map in a networking quotation?
Labels on every outlet and patch panel port, with a port map handed to the customer, make faults quick to trace later. Listing it in the quotation shows the customer the quality of work they are paying for.