Hi Bruce,
I’d like your opinion on this. I had two visits from electricians this morning. The first looked at the box, and verbally quoted me $1000 to replace the box “$900 if you ask us to do it now”
The second also looked at the box, but he also checked out the outdoor portion of the electrical entry. His (written) quotation was much more detailed, and included $99 for a permit from Hydro Quebec. He said that the exterior portion doesn’t meet code, and would also have to be fixed. The point at which the mains wires are first attched to the house should be 1.5 meters from the nearest window, at the moment it’s about 18 inches. He also said that the electric meter should be at eye level, whereas it presently is about eight feet above the ground. The estimate for the external work is $1293, and for a new 100 Amp panel $998. He also said that he’d have to verify the grounding system at a cost of $149, so his total comes to $2539. I asked about upgrading to a 200 Amp panel, which he indicated is now standard for a house like this, and he said that would be about $300 more, and possibly would involve upgrading the hydro wires that go across our back yard, but that would be a separate bill from Hydro Quebec.
I’m quite suspicious of the verbal quote; I suspect that the additional costs would come in after I commit to having them do the work. As for the 100Amp vs 200Amp, I’m not sure. 100 is enough for us, especially since we use gas for all the major power consumers, but from the point of view of the person buying this house, it is possible that I’d get the full cost of the 200Amp panel back in the selling price of the house.
Comments please.
Gil
Replies
Shamless bump!!
With all the major appliances on gas is 100 amps enough for a 4 bedroom cottage?
I think that my FIL should go ahead and get the 200 amp. Comments?
As for the verbal.... I agree that the extras would come fast and furious. Comments?
I don't know how old your FIL's kitchen is, but around here, whenever a kitchen is updated, each major appliance needs to be on a separate circuit. That alone eats up a lot of a 100 A service. For the extra $300, I'd definitely go for the 200 A service.
If he's even considering the verbal bid, he should call the guy and make sure he gets everything the sparkie is going to do in a written contract. In NJ, I'm supposed to have a written contract for any job over $500. Maybe there's something like that in Ca.
And there's no way I'd do a job without a permit. For one thing, if something happens (electrical fire, for instance) and a permit wasn't pulled, your insurance company may not pay up.
The permit issue is a good one
Thanks
I don't see how a 200 amp box would cost 300 more . I've never seen one cost that much more and i've put in a plenty.
Yeah, bro, he should go for the 200 amp service. Nobody's putting in 100 amps anymore, even with gas appliances. All a potential buyer of a 100-amp house would have to see is that his Thoroughly Suburban Wifey couldn't install a 'cleaner' electric range instead of 'that dirty old gas thingy,' and the sale would go down the pot. You gotta have the amps available to cover all the contingencies, even if they're not presently in use.
As to the cost, I dunno about either of those quotes. I've had a 200 amp service panel pulled and then reinstalled in a different part of the house for under $600--Hydro charges included--and that job required a complete new mast. The parts aren't that expensive and it only took my sparky about 3 or 4 hours to do the whole thing.
True, that job was a while ago, but rates haven't gone up that much since then.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Even as we have more efficient electric equipment (lights, computers, etc.), I hate to say that the 200 amp is probably a reasonable upgrade. $300 premium? Don't know. Bigger service panel (physically, but small cost), bigger breaker (larger cost for materials), bigger conduit from service panel to meter base and larger meter base rating (? Not sure) ... again probably small material cost difference. Bigger wire service to meter base ... bigger cost (although usually short wires).
The verbal quote ... if you choose it, you could consider following up with your own scope of project in writing saying you accept his quote ... that it will include all necessary work for a complete project including all permiting fees, etc. Include that everything will be 'done in workmanlike manner' (standard industry language). You can include enough description to paint a reasonably accurate picture if you feel the need (e.g. work will include (but not necessarily be limited to) service panel, meter base, all wiring and breakers, and hardware necessary for a complete job).
The written quote isn't necessarily better in some respects. "Verifying the grounding system" may be no more than ... 'yep, no ground rod ... that will be extra' and charging you $149 to do that. His estimate 'sounds' more professional/detailed/well thought out ... but who estimates this stuff to the nearest dollar?? Give me a break ... $149 for this and $1293 for that?? That's like say a value is "approximately" $12,693,212.23. Any 'estimate' like this that says $149 for an item is a bit much IMO. His methodology may be a little anal or precise, but that doesn't mean he should give you such precision. $149 for labor to 'check' or 'verify' is a bit over the top (IMO).
The bottom line may be in the level of service you get. Paying more doesn't always get you better service (although him getting more should be incentive to provide top notch service and response to your needs). Paying more should guarantee there will be NO issues, discussions, or disagreements about the end product.
Food for thought ... good luck.