Separate the equipment from the work
List fixtures, mounting hardware, controls, poles, foundations, electrical changes and installation. Include commissioning and access equipment where required.
Make the assumptions visible
Existing pole reuse, available electrical capacity and operating schedules can change the scope. Mark unverified items before treating an early budget as a firm price.
Use project-specific operating inputs
For an energy comparison, use actual system power, annual hours and the electricity tariff. Keep maintenance, controls and rebates separate so a reader can see what drives the estimate.
Compare equivalent deliverables
Ask each proposal to identify fixture model/optic, layout, included work, exclusions and next steps. A lower fixture price may represent a different project scope.