Commercial Electrical Installation Cost per m² in 2026 by Country

Quoting a commercial electrical installation per square meter is one of the fastest ways to give a client an initial price. The cost per m² in 2026 varies by country, electrical point density, finish level and whether it includes lighting, data and special systems. Here are referential ranges so you can build your quote with criteria.

Commercial electrical installation cost per m² by country

The values below include labor + materials for a standard commercial installation (store, office or retail) with medium point density.

Country	Basic finish (USD/m²)	Medium finish (USD/m²)	High finish (USD/m²)
Mexico	18 - 30	30 - 55	55 - 95
Colombia	15 - 26	26 - 48	48 - 85
Chile	22 - 38	38 - 65	65 - 110
Peru	14 - 25	25 - 45	45 - 80
Argentina	16 - 28	28 - 50	50 - 90
United States	60 - 110	110 - 180	180 - 320

Methodology note: the figures in this table are referential market ranges compiled from contractor rate cards, job boards and industry associations. They vary by city, experience, job complexity and exchange rate. Use them as a starting point for your own costing, not as an official quote.

What changes between basic, medium and high finish

Level	What it typically includes
Basic	General lighting, standard outlets, simple panel
Medium	Dedicated circuits, designer LED lighting, data cabling
High	Automation, backup/UPS, special systems, demanding code

Why quoting only "per m²" is dangerous

The per-m² price is useful for a quick estimate, but closing a contract on that number alone is risky. Two units of the same size can have very different costs depending on:

• The actual number of electrical points and circuits.
• Ceiling height and type (affects conduit and hours).
• Code and certification requirements.
• Special systems (data, security, associated HVAC).

That's why the professional approach is to use the m² for the initial proposal and then break it down by line items before signing.

From estimate to real project control

The biggest risk in a commercial installation isn't mispricing the m²: it's losing control during execution. Materials that drift, unlogged overtime, client changes that don't get billed. A project that looked profitable in the proposal ends with negative margin.

With ProyecPro you turn the quote into a controlled project: line-item budget, progress tracking, real-time control of materials and labor-hours, and a record of client-requested changes so you can bill them. You always know whether the project is on budget.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the electrical installation of a 100 m² unit cost? With a medium finish in LATAM, the referential range is USD 2,600 to USD 6,500, depending on the country and point density.

Does the per-m² price include the panel? Usually yes in basic finish, but higher-capacity or automated panels are quoted separately.

How do I bill the changes the client requests during the job? Document each change as an additional order with its approved cost; without a record, those extras become free work.