Fair price to upgrade electrical service
- Thread starter JohnnyHigh
- Start date
Throwgar
Member
If I were to hire a licensed electrician, this is spot on to what I'd guess.
Okay, since people take everything out of context, I'll be a little more clear. Anything before the main breaker is not so easy, but you can do 10k with 120amp service.
Running a sub panel IS armchair handyman stuff. All you naysayers should try the empowerment route. Always tell people what they CAN do, not what they can't.
This is easy:
yup.
After the main breaker, can be a DIY project. But lets be clear, the OP was talking about upgrading the service, not adding a subpanel
If you are not comfortable with this, and feel comfortable with an electrician, it may be the best option. get it done with, you dont spend all sorts of time researching and worrying if its safe.
I agree, you can run what you want on 100 amps. 10,000 watts at 240 is 41 amps. that gives you 40 more amps for accessories. Plus if you flip flop the flower rooms, you use less at one time.
If you hire an electrician, try to plan out as much as you can in advance where you want lights, dehumidifier, AC, etc. And run the lights on 240.
My BIL is an electrician and he got 1300 on a side job to swap a panel
A total upgrade could be around 3-5k like suggested but I think its not needed
Tilt
Member
Wow...A service upgrade is not for amatuers. The last one I did was an overhead service drop. Panel was trashed and needed to be replaced.
1. pulled permits
2. called utility to cut away the service from the mast
3. waited for a service order to be filled 3 weeks
4. changed out the mast panel drove a new ground rod
5. called for rough electrical and meter tag
6. inspected passed before utility showed up to reconnect
7. reenergized called for final inspection
8. passed final and got paid
The paper work was the hardest part. utility needs it to upgrade the drop. Need a sparky for that with a contractors licsense
1. pulled permits
2. called utility to cut away the service from the mast
3. waited for a service order to be filled 3 weeks
4. changed out the mast panel drove a new ground rod
5. called for rough electrical and meter tag
6. inspected passed before utility showed up to reconnect
7. reenergized called for final inspection
8. passed final and got paid
The paper work was the hardest part. utility needs it to upgrade the drop. Need a sparky for that with a contractors licsense
how much did it cost? That is what the OP would like to know. who ran the wires from the pole to the mast? What did the electric company charge for that?
Last time I had this done I was quoted $1k to $3k. This was in a rural area, and we had multiple quotes given.
Last time I had this done for a grow (upgrading from 100A to 200A), the electrician charged me more.
Ask your prospective electricians to explain the costs to you when you're having them quote you, and you'll see who is pricing you fairly as well as who has good customer service. Simple as having them give you a breakdown of costs in re: equip and labor basically!
Last time I had this done for a grow (upgrading from 100A to 200A), the electrician charged me more.
Ask your prospective electricians to explain the costs to you when you're having them quote you, and you'll see who is pricing you fairly as well as who has good customer service. Simple as having them give you a breakdown of costs in re: equip and labor basically!
G
guest456mpy
Tilt:
Seriously good advice there.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!
Seriously good advice there.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!
OMountainMix
Member
Our power company requires a permit, inspection, and licensed electrician to do any service upgrades. I imagine the OP's power company does, too. I doubt he can do a service upgrade on his own, no matter what his skills.
We've done upgrades on our own. Had to call in advance to schedule a disconnect and a same day inspection. We got the electrical authorities to come deactivate our service, did all the work, and called the inspector. He came and checked that everything was up to code, and it was all done. Five minutes later, the electrical authority came and reconnected us, and we were good to go!
Tilt
Member
The utility kept the same wires to the mast. Free air wires have more ampacity. boss charged $1600.00
My guess is $3-$5k for the new service, sub panels, and 120v circuits. You can expect to pay for the material plus 20-30% (electricians don't shop for free), there may be a daily trip fee (to cover gas), plus labor usually around $50 per hour per man on site. A service change will not be cheap, make sure your man is licensed bonded and insured. I also like to overbuild my electrical system for our hobby, makes me safer, plus leaves room for expansion.
