Electrical contractors working on commercial fit-outs, tenant improvements, and office renovations have a new billable upsell that takes under 10 minutes per unit to install: under-surface Qi wireless phone charging. The global wireless charging market reached $30.33 billion in 2025, growing at 24.9% CAGR (SkyQuest Technology Consulting, 2025), and the commercial segment, including offices, hotels, and restaurants, is the fastest-growing application category. End clients are asking for this, and the contractors who can spec and install it capture the revenue.
Under-surface wireless chargers mount beneath desks, countertops, conference tables, and nightstands, delivering Qi-standard power to phones placed on the surface above. No drilling, no routing, no surface modification. The InvisQi wireless charger works through any non-metallic surface up to 30mm (1.18 in) thick, outputs 7.5W to Apple devices and 10W to Samsung devices, and carries UL, CE, FCC, and ROHS certifications. Over 13,000 products are Qi Certified worldwide according to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), making it the universal standard across all major smartphones.
Why wireless charging is a contractor upsell opportunity
Wireless charging is a low-complexity, high-margin add-on that fits naturally into the scope of any commercial electrical project. End clients, including property managers, architects, interior designers, and business owners, are increasingly requesting integrated charging as part of office fit-outs and hospitality renovations. The wireless charging tables market was valued at $21.44 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $71.47 billion by 2033 at a 15.8% CAGR, according to Verified Market Reports. Commercial applications are the fastest-growing segment of that market.
For electrical contractors, the opportunity is straightforward: you are already on-site running power, installing outlets, and coordinating with furniture and millwork trades. Adding wireless charging to the scope requires no additional licensing, no dedicated circuits, and no specialized tools. The unit plugs into a standard AC outlet. Your value-add is knowing where to place it, how to route the cable cleanly, and how to present it to the client as a finished amenity rather than an aftermarket add-on.
Technical specifications contractors need to know
Each InvisQi unit accepts AC 100-240V at 50/60Hz input through its included power supply, outputs 24V at 1.0A, and draws approximately 24 watts at peak operation. The charger itself measures 12.5cm in diameter and 1.3cm thick. The working frequency is 115kHz to 135kHz, which does not interfere with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, building automation systems, or any other electrical or networking equipment.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Output (TX) | 24V at 1.0A |
| Charging output (Apple) | 7.5W fast charge |
| Charging output (Samsung) | 10W fast charge |
| Charging output (other Qi) | 5W |
| Working frequency | 115kHz to 135kHz |
| Max charging distance | 30mm (1.18 in) |
| MagSafe/Qi2 recommended max | 18mm to 20mm (0.71 in to 0.80 in) |
| Unit dimensions | 12.5cm diameter x 1.3cm thick |
| Mounting method | 3M adhesive or screws |
| Safety certifications | UL, CE, FCC, ROHS |
| Built-in protections | Over-temp, over-voltage, over-current, foreign object detection |
For installations requiring four or more charging points in proximity, such as a conference table or reception counter, a quad power supply runs four chargers from a single AC outlet, reducing the number of outlet connections needed. Each charger connects to the quad supply via an extension cable.
Surface material compatibility
Qi wireless charging works through all non-metallic surfaces, and the electromagnetic field at 115kHz to 135kHz is unaffected by material type. The only variable is total thickness between the charger coil and the phone. Metal is the only material that blocks the signal entirely.
| Surface | Typical thickness | Compatible |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office desk (laminate/MDF) | 18mm to 25mm (0.71 to 1.0 in) | Yes |
| Solid wood desk or table | 22mm to 30mm (0.87 to 1.18 in) | Yes |
| Quartz countertop | 20mm to 30mm (0.79 to 1.18 in) | Yes |
| Granite countertop | 20mm to 30mm (0.79 to 1.18 in) | Yes |
| Marble surface | 20mm to 30mm (0.79 to 1.18 in) | Yes |
| Glass (standard or tempered) | 6mm to 12mm (0.24 to 0.47 in) | Yes |
| Corian / solid surface | 12mm to 19mm (0.47 to 0.75 in) | Yes |
| Metal (steel, aluminum) | Any | No |
When measuring thickness on-site, measure at the exact point where the charger will be mounted. Desk surfaces with edge banding, integrated cable trays, or metal reinforcement plates may have different effective thicknesses at different points. For furniture with metal support brackets underneath, ensure the bracket does not sit directly between the charger and the phone placement area.
Installation process for commercial projects
Installation takes under 10 minutes per unit: mount with adhesive, route the cable, plug in, and place the alignment sticker on the surface. The full process requires no specialized tools beyond a tape measure and the included alignment sensor.
Step by step: measure the surface thickness at the planned charging location to confirm it is within the 30mm (1.18 in) range. Choose the location on the surface where the guest, employee, or client will naturally place their phone. Place the alignment sensor on the surface. Peel the 3M adhesive backing and press the charger to the underside of the surface, directly below the sensor. Confirm all LED indicators light up, indicating proper alignment. Route the low-voltage cable to the nearest AC outlet. Place the clear alignment sticker on the surface to mark the charging spot.
For new construction and tenant improvement projects, coordinate the outlet placement during the rough-in phase. Adding a duplex outlet behind or below each planned charging location during rough-in eliminates the need for visible cable routing later. This is where the electrical contractor adds the most value: integrating the power infrastructure for wireless charging during the same phase as all other electrical work.
How to price wireless charging for clients
Hardware costs $169 per unit at retail, with volume discounts available for orders of 10 or more through the InvisQi business program. Contractors typically mark up hardware 15% to 30% and bill 15 to 30 minutes of labor per unit for mounting, cable routing, and testing.
| Project scope | Units | Hardware cost (contractor) | Billable to client (incl. markup + labor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive office (4 desks) | 4 | $540 to $676 | $800 to $1,200 |
| Conference room (1 table, 4 points) | 4 | $540 to $676 | $800 to $1,200 |
| Office floor (20 workstations) | 20 | $2,700 to $3,380 | $5,000 to $7,000 |
| Hotel floor (25 rooms, 2 per room) | 50 | $6,750 to $8,450 | $12,000 to $17,000 |
| Restaurant (20 tables) | 20 to 30 | $2,700 to $5,070 | $5,000 to $9,000 |
Present wireless charging as a line item in your proposal alongside other technology infrastructure such as data cabling, access control, and AV rough-in. Clients who are already investing in a fit-out are far more receptive to a $5,000 wireless charging add-on than they would be to a standalone retrofit project later. The best time to sell this is during the bid or proposal phase, not after the furniture is installed.
Which commercial projects benefit most
Any project where end users place phones on a surface is a candidate for wireless charging, but the highest-value applications are offices, hotels, restaurants, coworking spaces, and healthcare facilities. These environments have the highest density of phone users sitting at fixed locations for extended periods.
Offices account for the largest share of commercial wireless charging demand. In a typical office fit-out, electrical contractors install outlets and data drops at every workstation. Adding a wireless charging point at each desk is a natural extension of the same scope. The same applies to conference rooms, reception desks, and executive suites.
In hospitality, Nonstop Products reported that its charging solutions are installed in over 500,000 hotel rooms across North America as of 2025, spanning brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Best Western (Nonstop Products, 2025 Year in Review). This signals that hotel operators now treat in-room charging as a standard amenity, not a premium feature. Electrical contractors working on hotel renovations and new-build projects can add under-surface charging to nightstands and desks as part of the room electrical package.
The InvisQi wireless charger has been deployed across commercial projects in over 25 countries, with over 3,200 units sold since 2021. Commercial customers include furniture manufacturers who build charging directly into their products, electrical contractors who install it during fit-outs, and interior designers who spec it for client projects.
How to present wireless charging to architects and designers
Architects and interior designers value wireless charging because it delivers functionality with zero visual impact on the design. Under-surface chargers have no visible hardware, no cables on the desk, and no additional devices cluttering the surface. For design-driven projects, this is a significant advantage over surface-mounted charging pads or cable management solutions.
When presenting to architects and designers, frame it as embedded infrastructure, comparable to in-floor power boxes or integrated LED lighting. Provide the technical spec sheet, confirm material compatibility with the specified FF&E, and note that installation is non-destructive. For projects using the Qi2 standard with MagSafe-compatible devices, recommend specifying surface materials under 20mm (0.79 in) thick at the charging locations for optimal performance with the latest phones.
Frequently asked questions
Do electrical contractors need a special license to install wireless chargers?
No. Under-surface Qi wireless chargers plug into a standard AC outlet and draw 24V at 1.0A. No hard-wiring, no dedicated circuit, and no permit is required. Any licensed electrical contractor can install these units as part of a commercial fit-out, tenant improvement, or furniture integration project. The units carry UL, CE, FCC, and ROHS certifications.
What power does a Qi wireless charger need?
Each under-surface Qi wireless charger uses an included power supply that accepts AC 100-240V at 50/60Hz and outputs 24V at 1.0A. The charger plugs into a standard AC outlet. For multi-unit installations, a quad power supply runs four chargers from a single outlet. Total draw per charger is approximately 24 watts.
Can wireless charging be added to existing furniture without modification?
Yes. Under-surface wireless chargers mount to the underside of existing desks, tables, countertops, and nightstands using 3M adhesive or screws. No drilling through the surface, no routing, and no visible modification. The charger works through any non-metallic surface up to 30mm (1.18 in) thick. Installation takes under 10 minutes per unit.
How much can an electrical contractor charge for wireless charger installation?
The hardware cost per unit is $169 at retail, with volume discounts for orders of 10 or more. Contractors typically mark up hardware 15% to 30% and bill 15 to 30 minutes of labor per unit for installation and cable routing. On a 20-unit office project, the total billable value including hardware markup and labor is typically $5,000 to $7,000.
Does wireless charging interfere with other electrical systems?
No. Qi wireless charging operates at 115kHz to 135kHz, well below the frequency range of Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth (2.4GHz), and cellular signals. The charging field extends only 30mm (1.18 in) from the coil. There is no interference with building electrical systems, networking equipment, POS systems, or any other electronic devices.
