Ballpark Cost on 200A Panel Install

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

So the "100A sub panel" that is in the detached workshop of our new house ends up only being 30A after I moved in and got to looking a little deeper! :willy_nil

Soo, I have called the power company and they will run an additional 200A service to my shop for FREE :rocker:

I just need to have a certified electrician come in and install the panel for me. What do you guys think the ballpark cost on the basic install of a 200A panel and (I would assume) a weather head to the outside so that the power company can run their line would be?

If I was still in Chicago I would have my wife's Uncle, the certified electrician, do it for me, but unfortunately that isn't feasible.

All I need is the basic panel install, I can run all of the interior wiring myself.

50cal · Jun 15, 2012

It would be hard to guess with the limited amount of info you have given. And no pictures, we need pictures. Just get a couple of bids and you will no longer be in the ballpark.

cj7jeep81 · Jun 15, 2012

does the electric company charge extra to have a second service? i bet they do, ant that's why its "free". i think at our place, they charge something like $30 per month for the additional service, and the rates for that service are higher as well. doesn't take long for it to be cheaper to run it from your other.

hh76 · Jun 15, 2012

Real rough estimate, assuming a simple install of LC, Meter, and service drop mast.

8hrs labor
$4-500 materials

Right around $1000, but it can go up pretty quickly depending on hundreds of variables.

Why do you only have 30a available? would it be possible to upsize the feed? If so, you'd save yourself the monthly charge for a second meter.

Cheap5.0 · Jun 15, 2012

I would definitely look at running a bigger feeder line to the garage instead of a new service. Are you going to be running a business/shop out of your garage?

Renting a trencher and buying 100 amp stuff would be less than $600 in the area i live in.

NWOhioChevyGuy · Jun 15, 2012

I just had a 200 amp 8 breaker panel added to my small garage, new feed from pole, new meter socket w/ dual feed. (200amp to house & new 200amp to garage)

I purchased both panels, 200amp and meter socket, electrician provided AL feeder and conduit. (pole/transformer was right next to garage) I was the extra hand and it took us 1.5 days. This was a side job for him so did it in addition to his full time job.

Total price was $1400 to electrician.

Panels were: 200amp 8 slot Square D from Lowes $147, new Meter socket panel w/ generator transfer breakers $450-500.

FYI: small breaker count due to small garage and upgrading electric to install a hot tub next to garage.

SuperSocket · Jun 15, 2012

I'm going to say $1,000 to $1,500 based on various factors. Could be higher or lower depending on the level of difficulty or the complexity of the install.

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

cj7jeep81 said:
does the electric company charge extra to have a second service? i bet they do, ant that's why its "free". i think at our place, they charge something like $30 per month for the additional service, and the rates for that service are higher as well. doesn't take long for it to be cheaper to run it from your other.

Power company will charge $8.97/month minimum to have the service (so use $8.97 worth of power or pay that). This is in the South and is much different than up North which is what I am used to...

hh76 said:
Real rough estimate, assuming a simple install of LC, Meter, and service drop mast.

8hrs labor
$4-500 materials

Right around $1000, but it can go up pretty quickly depending on hundreds of variables.

Why do you only have 30a available? would it be possible to upsize the feed? If so, you'd save yourself the monthly charge for a second meter.

I actually have a 100A breaker in my current panel that I could run to the shop, so that is another option depending upon what works out pricing wise. And the bonus of the 100A breaker to a sub panel is that I could do all of that myself...

The 30A is ran in a 3/4" conduit but unfortunately that won't be able to support the size wires to upgrade to 100A and it is all under concrete...

Cheap5.0 said:
I would definitely look at running a bigger feeder line to the garage instead of a new service. Are you going to be running a business/shop out of your garage?

Renting a trencher and buying 100 amp stuff would be less than $600 in the area i live in.

Thanks. This is what I might end up doing depending on the quotes I get. I have 2 electricians coming out to quote it tonight and tomorrow. 100A would be "sufficient", 200A would be no worries at all about having problems. Between a dust collector, air compressor, heat pump and indoor unit, and running a tool, that is the potential to have 5 220V circuits running at once that I could see happening every once in a while. Add on top of that the 50A RV plug in that my parents want (I have a carport next to the shop) I could see using up that 100A service pretty quick.

NWOhioChevyGuy said:
I just had a 200 amp 8 breaker panel added to my small garage, new feed from pole, new meter socket w/ dual feed. (200amp to house & new 200amp to garage)

I purchased both panels, 200amp and meter socket, electrician provided AL feeder and conduit. (pole/transformer was right next to garage) I was the extra hand and it took us 1.5 days. This was a side job for him so did it in addition to his full time job.

Total price was $1400 to electrician.

Panels were: 200amp 8 slot Square D from Lowes $147, new Meter socket panel w/ generator transfer breakers $450-500.

FYI: small breaker count due to small garage and upgrading electric to install a hot tub next to garage.

Thanks you very much! I expect that my install will be pretty basic as well. 2x4 construction, brick wall exterior, nothing much that I can see causing any out of the normal issues.

Did that include running wires through out your shop? All I need is a panel hanging on the wall, I got it from there.

KPSquared · Jun 15, 2012

If you are going to do all the wiring yourself, why are you paying someone to hang the panel? Compared to the wiring, that's the easy part. . .

My electrician is $70 an hour. I ran out of time an had to hire him. He figures 16 - 18 hours to wire my whole shop . . . 36 ish outlets, 28 lights, a few fans, and the panel. So, that would be about $1100 - $1200 for the labor. The panel is a VERY small part of that.

NWOhioChevyGuy · Jun 15, 2012

No it did not include any wiring inside the shop, I ran everything for the hot tub.

He did clean up and land all existing circuits into the new panel.

I do have to make a correction, after letting him keep all the copper we took out the final bill was $1200.

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

KPSquared said:
If you are going to do all the wiring yourself, why are you paying someone to hang the panel? Compared to the wiring, that's the easy part. . .

My electrician is $70 an hour. I ran out of time an had to hire him. He figures 16 - 18 hours to wire my whole shop . . . 36 ish outlets, 28 lights, a few fans, and the panel. So, that would be about $1100 - $1200 for the labor. The panel is a VERY small part of that.

The power company requires that it is installed by a certified electrician and is permitted.

Speedy Petey · Jun 15, 2012

hh76 said:
Real rough estimate, assuming a simple install of LC, Meter, and service drop mast.

8hrs labor
$4-500 materials

Right around $1000, but it can go up pretty quickly depending on hundreds of variables.

No legitimate electrician does services on a T&M basis. A handyman or side job apprentice maybe.
And 8 hours to do a 200A service with no circuits???

Typically in my area I get $2000-$2200 for the average 200A service upgrade/change.
Since this is new and no existing circuits will need to be moved into the new panel I'd probably call it $1500-$1700 or so. Depends on the install. Mast? SEU riser? Meter to panel distance? Etc.

hh76 · Jun 15, 2012

Speedy Petey said:
No legitimate electrician does services on a T&M basis. A handyman or side job apprentice maybe.
And 8 hours to do a 200A service with no circuits???

Typically in my area I get $2000-$2200 for the average 200A service upgrade/change.
Since this is new and no existing circuits will need to be moved into the new panel I'd probably call it $1500-$1700 or so. Depends on the install. Mast? SEU riser? Meter to panel distance? Etc.

Who said T&M? I was simply giving a rough estimate of time to put in a reletively simple service.

Speedy Petey · Jun 15, 2012

hh76 said:
Who said T&M? I was simply giving a rough estimate of time to put in a reletively simple service.

Sorry, I guess I misread when you wrote this:

hh76 said:
hh76 said:

8hrs labor
$4-500 materials

Right around $1000, but it can go up pretty quickly depending on hundreds of variables.

Click to expand...

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

Well, got the first quote back, $1275. It is in line with what I was expecting. Will be interesting to see what the guy tomorrow says.

A interesting twist though, it appears that I might be able to hold the home inspector responsible for the repairs. It states right in our inspection report that it is a 100A sub panel (with picture). Since when can 10/2 take 100A? The electrician knew in 5 seconds that it wasn't correct. Waiting to hear back from the inspector. Heck, I paid $65 extra for him to inspect the detached shop...

brewchief · Jun 15, 2012

automobiliben said:
Well, got the first quote back, $1275. It is in line with what I was expecting. Will be interesting to see what the guy tomorrow says.

A interesting twist though, it appears that I might be able to hold the home inspector responsible for the repairs. It states right in our inspection report that it is a 100A sub panel (with picture). Since when can 10/2 take 100A? The electrician knew in 5 seconds that it wasn't correct. Waiting to hear back from the inspector. Heck, I paid $65 extra for him to inspect the detached shop...

I doubt you'll get anything from the home inspector, they normally seem to have a contract that excludes them from pretty much any responsibility since they are experts in nothing.

Electrician we use found a majorly screwed up service a year or two ago when we went to install an A/C, he replaced panel out to weatherhead two stories up including new meter can and rigid pipe riser, new 200 amp panel and cleaned up a ton of the homeowners wiring mess for $1600.

Price you were quoted sounds fair, inspector may want at least one circuit wired so you may want to have your guy run a single outlet right next to the panel

racer1 · Jun 15, 2012

Ok..Speedy.....I just have to ask. Why wouldn't a "legitimate"..electrician...work for time and materials?....Are they just too darn important to work for an hourly rate?.....Your saying someone working for T&M..is just a unskilled nobody?...wouldn't doing t&m, make sure you got paid for every minute you put in the job?...2 people agree to a mutually agreed hourly rate......Hmmm, sounds fair to me....Unless your padding the hell out of a bid to really clean up , regardless of hours put in....Just sayin.....

JimVonBaden · Jun 15, 2012

automobiliben said:
The power company requires that it is installed by a certified electrician and is permitted.

I'm not a professional, but it is my understanding that a licensed electrician only needs to do the hook-up and sign-off, not the complete installation.

Jim

jbberns · Jun 15, 2012

racer1 said:
Ok..Speedy.....I just have to ask. Why wouldn't a "legitimate"..electrician...work for time and materials?....Are they just too darn important to work for an hourly rate?.....Your saying someone working for T&M..is just a unskilled nobody?...wouldn't doing t&m, make sure you got paid for every minute you put in the job?...2 people agree to a mutually agreed hourly rate......Hmmm, sounds fair to me....Unless your padding the hell out of a bid to really clean up , regardless of hours put in....Just sayin.....

Been there, tried that, and not going back!
"I can get this part cheaper here. Can you make it work?"
"How much an hour? You just doing this in the evenings and weekends."
(Spare time while I could be spending time with wife and kids, or something I want to do)
"I can work on it tomorrow, to save cost."
And a lot of others

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

brewchief said:
I doubt you'll get anything from the home inspector, they normally seem to have a contract that excludes them from pretty much any responsibility since they are experts in nothing.

The inspector called back, he offered to refund the full price of my home inspection ($560). Pretty stand up operation in my book!

He is also going to have his friend come quote the job and see if he can cut me a deal.

Guess we will see what happens...

Speedy Petey · Jun 15, 2012

racer1 said:
Ok..Speedy.....I just have to ask. Why wouldn't a "legitimate"..electrician...work for time and materials?....

Go back and re-read what I wrote. I said "No legitimate electrician does services on a T&M basis.". Services, not service work.
It's like a plumber rarely will replace a boiler on T&M.

And yes, these jobs are "padded", but not to "clean up". It's done to cover cost and added work/time off the jobsite that comes into play with a job like this.
It is also what the market will bear. Yes, there is a slightly higher profit margin on service replacements. If that bothers you or anyone else there is always the local handyman.
Also, in my area we can tie in our own service drops. If you are not on an approved list of contractors who have undergone training by the POCO and carry a TON of insurance, the POCO charges $275 to tie in a service. So add that to the cost of the handyman or side jobber.

I do T&M all the time on service work, troubleshooting and small jobs.

Speedy Petey · Jun 15, 2012

automobiliben said:
A interesting twist though, it appears that I might be able to hold the home inspector responsible for the repairs. It states right in our inspection report that it is a 100A sub panel (with picture). Since when can 10/2 take 100A? The electrician knew in 5 seconds that it wasn't correct. Waiting to hear back from the inspector. Heck, I paid $65 extra for him to inspect the detached shop...

Just because it is a 100A panel does NOT mean it is a 100A feeder. This is not even implied.
A 100A panel fed by a 30A feeder is absolutely legal in a situation like this.

What's NOT legal or safe is the 10/2. 10/3 would be required.
If a H-I missed that he's pretty poor at this.

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

Speedy Petey said:
Just because it is a 100A panel does NOT mean it is a 100A feeder. This is not even implied.
A 100A panel fed by a 30A feeder is absolutely legal in a situation like this.

What's NOT legal or safe is the 10/2. 10/3 would be required.
If a H-I missed that he's pretty poor at this.

The inspection said it was fed by a 100A breaker from the main panel, both of which were incorrect....

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I realize that nobody is perfect, but one of the reasons we bought this house was because of the shop. I specifically requested the electrical be went over with a fine tooth comb. I wish I would have been there for the inspection...

automobiliben · Jun 15, 2012

JimVonBaden said:
I'm not a professional, but it is my understanding that a licensed electrician only needs to do the hook-up and sign-off, not the complete installation.

Jim

I am still not sure that this would save me much, through my calculations there is about $600 in materials alone, plus permitting. At $1275 they aren't making much...

ddawg16 · Jun 16, 2012

I just installed a 200A panel.

I already had a 200A service...but erecting my 2-story addition caused the power lines to be in the way....so new panel.

SD 20/40 panel....$130
2" Conduit and misc hw (weatherhead)....$50
2/0 wire......$130

A bunch more breakers and AFIC breakers.....$150

I figure it took me about 3 hours to mount the panel and weatherhead....

Since I'm doing a bunch of other stuff....my time to connect all that wireing is hard to factor in....

So....your first quote actually sounds pretty good.

automobiliben · Jun 16, 2012

ddawg16 said:
I just installed a 200A panel.

I already had a 200A service...but erecting my 2-story addition caused the power lines to be in the way....so new panel.

SD 20/40 panel....$130
2" Conduit and misc hw (weatherhead)....$50
2/0 wire......$130

A bunch more breakers and AFIC breakers.....$150

I figure it took me about 3 hours to mount the panel and weatherhead....

Since I'm doing a bunch of other stuff....my time to connect all that wireing is hard to factor in....

So....your first quote actually sounds pretty good.

Did you have to pay for the meter? Appears that down here, I supply the meter. Luckily the panel and meter will be less than 2' apart, so the wire won't cost much.

I called the power company and have an engineer coming out to make sure this is feasible, which I don't think there will be any problems.

matt151617 · Jun 16, 2012

I didn't upgrade the weatherhead or anything except the panel itself, but I paid $1100 to the electrician for a 200 amp panel swap, including parts: Federal Pacific to Cutler-Hammer BR series. Plus another $125 for the inspector.

I probably could have done it myself, but the electrician handled all the permits, coordinating with the power company and inspector, did it in 1/4 of the time it would have taken me, and even brought a generator for the fridge and sump pump. It took about 3 1/2 hours from when the power company pulled the meter to when they put it back (they'll only do it after the inspector signs off), 4 1/2 hours total for the project.

I also got lucky and either the code hasn't been updated here or they didn't care, but I didn't need to do AFIC breakers everywhere, that saved a lot of money. $3/breaker vs $50.

Speedy Petey · Jun 16, 2012

automobiliben said:
The inspection said it was fed by a 100A breaker from the main panel, both of which were incorrect....

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I realize that nobody is perfect, but one of the reasons we bought this house was because of the shop. I specifically requested the electrical be went over with a fine tooth comb. I wish I would have been there for the inspection...

Then all I can say is wow! That's a biggie to have missed and/or messed up. No wonder he immediately gave you the money back. He doesn't want to get sued. Those guys are all deathly afraid of getting sued.

ddawg16 · Jun 16, 2012

automobiliben said:
Did you have to pay for the meter? Appears that down here, I supply the meter. Luckily the panel and meter will be less than 2' apart, so the wire won't cost much.

I called the power company and have an engineer coming out to make sure this is feasible, which I don't think there will be any problems.

Nope....I just provide the load center that accepts a meter....

Engineer came out and did what is called a location check....check to make sure it's ok to put the meter there.

Pulled permits....including all the electrical for the 2-story addtion, that was about $120.

Once I had the new meter in position, weatherhead attached and 2/0 cable installed....inspector came out and inspected it....once he approved, he called the PoCo who then came out and moved the lines over....at no cost.

Ballpark Cost on 200A Panel Install

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member