I'm posting this in GD for quicker response: Electrical Service Price

[LeftyFingerPop]

Hello:

I'm trying to help out a friend who needs new electrical service installed in her home. I just received 4 quoted price options from a single electrical contractor. I liked the contractor, and I am trying to see if his prices are reasonable.

Does anyone know an approximate price for the following:

Replace existing 100 Amp service with new 200 Amp Service.

Service cable is run from peak of home, through meter, out of meter, into basement. Entire cable needs replacement.

Price includes new meter box.

New Square D Type QO breakers (NOT Homelite) and panel box.

GFCI outlet installed near panel for sump pump.

Home is in Upstate NY.

Thank you in advance.

[Buzz Clik]

1. I'll do the whole thing for $723 plus air fare.

Do you care that I'm not licensed in NY? Do you care that I'm not license at all?

Would it bother you to know that electrcity scares me and I don't know how to do electrical stuff?

Joe the Plumber is available. He's bound to be in your neighborhood sooner or later. He doesn't have any licenses, either.

[madokie]

2. I would think that a person would need way more info

and a look see to even be able to make a guess of an estimate. Things of that nature have no cut and dry one size fits all solutions. I say the best thing to do is to get several estimates from local electricians who can come and see what they are bidding on or estimating a bid on. Too many variables to do over the phone or via the internet. methinks

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. It's a standard electrical sevice...

Service cable, meter, service cable, breaker box, breakers. pipe ground, 8 foot outdoor ground spike. That's it.

[madokie]

7. Yep thats all there is to it

that kind of thinking will cost you dearly, trust me on that.

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. Ok, nevermind, thanks.

[angrycarpenter]

4. a father and sons electrician in Florida I know

charges $500 a day plus $250 a day if his sons are needed for the job, plus materials. It sounds like a day and a half job for one guy. If the local utility has to be called to unhook and and then hook up power add that in.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. Thank you very much. n/t

[MineralMan]

6. Had that exact thing done in our house.

Wiring in open basement ceiling. 100 Amp to 200 Amp, and add two outdoor outlets. $1200. Minnesota.

[LeftyFingerPop]

8. OK! Now...

New meter box?

Did they have to move the board mount for the panel at all?

Did they have to drive a new ground stake?

I got $1650.

Thanks, MM

[MineralMan]

13. Nope. They put the new breaker box right where the old one was.

They did have to put in a higher pipe for the line from the pole, though. I should tell you that this was 5 years ago, so the price may have gone up. Also, the wiring inside was easy, since it's all exposed in the open floor joists. I had him split a couple of circuits that were over loaded and put in some new breakers, along with GFIs for the kitchen and bathroom.

Took two days. I'm not sure about the ground stake, frankly, but the old wiring was 50 years old, so I assume so. The internal house wiring had all been redone not long ago and was up to code, so that saved a pile.

I'd say your estimate is in range.

[LeftyFingerPop]

15. Very helpful. Thanks very much. n/t

[Walk away]

9. It depends on where you live.

I wouldn't be surprised to get an estimate of over $2,000.00 in Bergen County NJ.

[LeftyFingerPop]

10. Thank you...

$1650...Upstate NY.

[hunter]

12. That must be a mighty big sump pump to require 200 amp service!

What's the 200 amp service for? Maybe electric heating or central air conditioning?

The first house my wife and I bought had a 20 amp service. We couldn't have the washer and dryer running if we wanted to make toast!

Our current house, much newer, has a 90 amp service. It's a conservation measure by the state and power company to discourage larger residential services.

[LeftyFingerPop]

14. For future expansion. n/t

[MineralMan]

16. Our house had a 60 amp service, with fuses, rather than

breakers. The insurance company wouldn't even write a policy until it was upgraded, so we put in a 200 amp service, in case we want to install an electric range. Well, the previous owner put it in as a condition of the sale, I should say.

[Edweird]

17. Quoting a fair flat rate for work like this is hard in person and impossible over the internet.

Every house is different and unpleasant surprises pop up all the time. You can find out what the materials cost on your own. The labor is tricky part, and you definitely get what you pay for. Going with the low bid typically guarantees a half assed job with little to no follow up. Ask around and find someone recommended by others.

[notadmblnd]

18. when we converted our fuse box to circuit breakers and had

a new riser installed for the electricity coming in from the pole, we paid about 1500.00. However that was 15 years ago. When I bought a generator and had a transfer switch installed, it was between 1000 and 1200.

[librechik]

19. Had all that done by high end electrical contractors recently

I was told a good rule of thumb is $1000 per electrical line.
Looks like you have about $2500 to $3000 there. (Guessing)
( including the permits. )

Take Buzz Clik up on his offer.