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| Subject - What is a ball-park cost for.... | |
| Wenger6 |
I am purchasing a 1560 sq. ft. home that was built in the late 50's. It currently has a 60 amp electrical service with fuse box. Can someone tell me (assuming that all inside wiring is ok) what would a ballpark cost be to upgrade to a 150 or 200 amp service with breaker box suitable for today's use. Also what size breaker box would be recommended? I am located in OH. Thanks! Wenger |
| JimmyDee | I haven't estimated in a long time but will have a go at it. I will make a lot of assumptions here so we may be a bit off. Material for the panel including breaker should be under $250. Actually a 200 amp top of the line Square D or Cutler Hammer panel can be purchased at Home Depot for under $150 but an electrical company probably won't do that good for you. Wire, conduit and other stuff should not exceed $100 and I think that would be high. Back when I was doing this type of work, I have changed a service out in as little as 4 hrs when everything was going right to as long as the entire day (8 hrs). Depending on charge out rate and the difficulty of the job, assuming $65 an hour, could be as high as $500 for labor. So, $850 would probably be about ball park on the high end and that would allow the electrical company to make a fair profit for the job. Jim |
| ricky | I would call a few companies for an estimate,and be there for it.That will give you a good idea.No surprises.Also,your homeowner's insurance requires a licensed/bonded electrician and a city inspection.I'm gonna guess $1500.00,although the panel really only costs 200.00. |
| Wenger6 | Wow, an expensive learning experience. I really appreciate the reply - THANKS for all your adivce! |
| David Hyatt | When I do service upgrades I do alot more than just upgrade the main panel nad meter. To me only upgrading panel is a waste of time in most cases. Like the job I worked on today, someone upgraded the service, and probably charged $1,500.00. Today I came in and added dedicated circuits for kitchen total of four. I will be returning to add circuits for washer, gas heat blower, dishwasher, and bathroom recept. Without doing these extras there is still two much load on the old light and recpt. circuits. Normally I will j-box any open taps and rerun all 200 volt outlets too. Usually if the costumer will pay for these idems, all wiring is replace except for old lighting and recept circuits. This normally cost around $2000.00 and takes about 4 days to do by myself. |
| JimmyDee | I think David is right on and will be in the ball park of what I was saying. The pricing I was thinking about would be just the service and when we look at the cost, it will depend on the location of the country. Prices for labor will vary a lot from one area to another. Jim |
| ricky | I agree with david too.Some of the old rehab houses REALLY need to be totally rewired.Some of that old wiring is scary.I yank any old Knob and tube,and the old mc cable with cloth insulation that shorts out to the metal sheath when moved.Some older wiring is ok if it has plastic insulation and is not overloaded.David is right though,pulling new kitchen circuits etc is wise.Microwaves,toasters,hairdryers,portable heaters,coffee pots,etc all pull alot of juice.Amps=Watts/Volts or 1500w/120v=12.5amps.Thats alot on old wiring. |
| Wenger6 | But would you really call a home built in 1957 "old wiring"? We don't see "old wiring" unless the house is in the 1900 - 1940 range.? |
| Scott Vickrey | Old is a relative term. Just ask Jim. 
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| Electricman | Be nice Scott LOL
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| cs409 | sq d qo box at 200 amp with main breaker/meter can/2in Rigid conduit/wire/and the etc's with labor. $1500...MIN> as stated, above, when your changing out a 60amp to 150 to 200, usually they still have candle power in half the house soooo they really need to do some major up dates in the kitchen, etc! dont forget the cost of material is very unstable at this time...2in rigid conduit has just about tripled in cost and wire is also high... |
| SteveMc | But would you really call a home built in 1957 "old wiring"? Yes, I just completely rewired a 1950's vintage duplex and the wiring was in terrible shape. It had the old rag jacket style romex and the insulation just crumbled in your hand, especially in the lighting boxes. When I estimated the job I told the owner that I wouldn't touch the house unless it was a total rewire. |
| cs409 | anything over 25yrs i look at as out of date, and moving towards old...some are still solid,,,some are ready to fall apart....... |
| cs409 | p.s. you know a lot of homes built back in the days of 12/2 without a ground still had a bare ground,,,,they would run a single insulated grounding conductor from box to box etc,,,this wire was bonded to the outside of the metal gang box, usually ran between the box and the stud,,,so there sometimes a wire in place....would you use it to update? thats up to you LOL |