I don't like electricians

David99 · Feb 5, 2016

We just moved to a new house and I had an electrician come out to make an estimate to install a NEMA 14-50 outlet. He quoted me $400 for a 30 Amp limit and $600 for a 50 Amp limit. He said that would just be basic wiring and the outlet if it can be simply added to the panel.
After looking at the panel he said it was full so a sub panel would be required and with dry wall work that would cost another $1300 because he would have to re-wire some other lines.

Good thing is I know a little bit about electrical systems. The panel wasn't full. There was a single phase slot open. After some closer inspection I was able to reconnect a few wires, make space for a 50 Amp breaker and install it. With a total of $50 in parts from my local hardware store I was able to do it all myself in about 1.5 hours including driving to get the parts. The installation was as simple as it could be. The panel had a breakout in the perfect spot and I was able to get the wires right through it and directly into the NEMA 14-50 plug on the wall. I needed a total of 2 feet wire.

I'm just pissed how some electricians think they can rip you off. Most people are clueless about electrical stuff and scared of it's dangers so they blindly accept whatever the 'expert' says.

vvanders · Feb 5, 2016

Just make sure you get it properly inspected. I've heard of homeowner claims denied when the owner did the work themselves and didn't properly document it.

David99 · Feb 5, 2016

Absolutely. I had it permitted and inspected at my old place as well. Same for the new place!

CHG-ON · Feb 5, 2016

Good for you. There are a lot of "licensed" charlatans out there just trying to up the bill. Stinks.

Electroman · Feb 5, 2016

Auto repair outfits, electricians, plumbers - good % of them are scumbags, IMO

jcaspar · Feb 6, 2016

This is partially why I did my 100 Amp panel and two 14-50's myself. A lot cheaper (about 500$ for the 25' run of 100amp and two 30' runs of 50amp) and I did a better looking job, all wiring behind walls, no ugly conduit.

Now in your case, I don't think you can compare the costs as he was quoting for a much bigger job that would have cost you a lot more than 50$ as was likely outside your skill set, knowledge base. There is great satisfaction in doing it yourself and doing it right!

Quantum` · Feb 6, 2016

Trouble is, 90% of the population won't do it right.

GreenT · Feb 6, 2016

David99 said:
snip
The panel wasn't full. There was a single phase slot open. After some closer inspection I was able to reconnect a few wires, make space for a 50 Amp breaker and install it. With a total of $50 in parts from my local hardware store I was able to do it all myself in about 1.5 hours including driving to get the parts.

How did you get a 2 phase 240v circuit from a single phase open slot? Reconnected a few wires? Did you piggy back them?
Sounds suspect the way you worded this.

sorka · Feb 6, 2016

David99 said:
We just moved to a new house and I had an electrician come out to make an estimate to install a NEMA 14-50 outlet. He quoted me $400 for a 30 Amp limit and $600 for a 50 Amp limit. He said that would just be basic wiring and the outlet if it can be simply added to the panel.
After looking at the panel he said it was full so a sub panel would be required and with dry wall work that would cost another $1300 because he would have to re-wire some other lines.

Good thing is I know a little bit about electrical systems. The panel wasn't full. There was a single phase slot open. After some closer inspection I was able to reconnect a few wires, make space for a 50 Amp breaker and install it. With a total of $50 in parts from my local hardware store I was able to do it all myself in about 1.5 hours including driving to get the parts. The installation was as simple as it could be. The panel had a breakout in the perfect spot and I was able to get the wires right through it and directly into the NEMA 14-50 plug on the wall. I needed a total of 2 feet wire.

I'm just pissed how some electricians think they can rip you off. Most people are clueless about electrical stuff and scared of it's dangers so they blindly accept whatever the 'expert' says.

Just curious. Care to share with use you NEC 220 worksheet? You did that right? Because if you didn't, you won't know that your service panel can handle the extra load.

And while your at, are you sure you didn't exceed the fill space limits of enclosures (NEC 312-8)?

There are about a million other codes that need to be followed when doing doing this seemingly simple DIY addition.

If you're aware of the national electrical code requirements and the additional code requirements for your county or city, then kudos to you for saving the cost of an electrician.

davewill · Feb 6, 2016

sorka said:
Just curious. Care to share with use you NEC 220 worksheet? You did that right? Because if you didn't, you won't know that your service panel can handle the extra load.

And while your at, are you sure you didn't exceed the fill space limits of enclosures (NEC 312-8)?

There are about a million other codes that need to be followed when doing doing this seemingly simple DIY addition.

If you're aware of the national electrical code requirements and the additional code requirements for your county or city, then kudos to you for saving the cost of an electrician.

He got a permit and had it inspected so the inspector should have caught those problems. Plus the electrician who gave him the quote was going to put in a sub-panel, not upgrade the main panel, so supposedly HE was sure that the service panel could handle the extra load.

P.S. You're not curious, you wanted to criticize him for doing it DIY. The fact is the electrician lied when he said there was no room in the service panel. He would have known there was room if he reconfigured a bit, but he wanted to pad the job.

sorka · Feb 6, 2016

davewill said:
He got a permit and had it inspected so the inspector should have caught those problems. Plus the electrician who gave him the quote was going to put in a sub-panel, not upgrade the main panel, so supposedly HE was sure that the service panel could handle the extra load.

P.S. You're not curious, you wanted to criticize him for doing it DIY. The fact is the electrician lied when he said there was no room in the service panel. He would have known there was room if he reconfigured a bit, but he wanted to pad the job.

Actually, he said he got it inspected at the previous place. I don't think he's mentioned that he's already had the new installation inspected.

I didn't criticize him but I do find it curious that there's not mention of some of the obvious things you have to do in addition to just physically installing a breaker and running wire.

AWDtsla · Feb 6, 2016

Quantum` said:
Trouble is, 90% of the population won't do it right.

Can't even get electricians to do it right. Especially if they know someone in the inspections department. Do it yourself if you want it done right.

David99 · Feb 6, 2016

I would not recommend to anyone not familiar with electricity to do it on their own. There is so much that can go wrong. Often electrical problems aren't obvious right away, but show later and can become dangerous.

What upset me is that he hardly looked at what would really be required, what the amount of work really was in my case. Instead he pulled out a binder with standard price quotes. There was a $200-300 difference between a 30 Amp and 50 Amp installation. That makes no sense if you need a total of 3 feet of cables. He didn't even take the inside cover off the panel to see what is really hooked up and how to put the wires through the wall. He quoted me the prices without much looking. Only after I asked, 'hey is there even enough room for another 50 Amp breaker' he jumped on the $1300 extra for the sub panel and re-wiring. If he comes out to a house to make a quote I expect him to look at what amount of work actually needs to be done, not just standard prices. I expect him to give me options and alternatives. He didn't even see (or maybe he didn't want to see) the free slot.

Had he given me a fair quote based on the actual work he needs to do and given me some alternatives, I would have just hired him on the spot. I was busy with so many other things moving. But because he didn't, I looked closer myself and saw there is a very simple and perfectly safe solution I could easily do myself.

Spyder14 · Feb 7, 2016

The Tesla recommended electrician took over 3 weeks to get me an estimate after several emails & phone calls just to get a day & time. I even emailed Tesla HQ to see if they had another recommendation in my area (they did not). I finally went local for a company that does work in my neighborhood & his estimate for the NEMA 14-50 was almost half of the other so I gave him extra things to do on the house! The install is complete, under budget & looks great--very clean & simple.

GreenT · Feb 7, 2016

Sorry, I am going to hijack this thread.

The photo above ... the drywall with the pattern all over it. I have that. I really do not like it! How does one get rid of that?

Drywall replacement or another coat of "mud" over it by a drywall taper(er)?

jcaspar · Feb 7, 2016

Now that's a nice installation. No conduit!!

And regarding going from an orange peel texture to something like imperfect smooth, no need to replace the drywall. It can be mudded over.

bollar · Feb 7, 2016

Spyder14 said:
The Tesla recommended electrician took over 3 weeks to get me an estimate after several emails & phone calls just to get a day & time. I even emailed Tesla HQ to see if they had another recommendation in my area (they did not). I finally went local for a company that does work in my neighborhood & his estimate for the NEMA 14-50 was almost half of the other so I gave him extra things to do on the house! The install is complete, under budget & looks great--very clean & simple.

It's upside down, no? Ground should be up.

Spyder14 · Feb 7, 2016

GreenT said:
Sorry, I am going to hijack this thread.

The photo above ... the drywall with the pattern all over it. I have that. I really do not like it! How does one get rid of that?

Drywall replacement or another coat of "mud" over it by a drywall taper(er)?

It's called Knockdown finish here (down south) & my suggestion would be to sand it off since a mud coat over it may crack or peel over time. Mud coat over would be easier & cleaner though.

- - - Updated - - -

bollar said:
It's upside down, no? Ground should be up.

Good catch since I don't have my car yet!! If it is, should be very easy to rate 180 degrees?

bollar · Feb 7, 2016

Spyder14 said:
Good catch since I don't have my car yet!! If it is, should be very easy to rate 180 degrees?

Should be. Turn off the breaker (you knew that) and give it a try. The one thing you probably don't know is that the edges on that metal plate can be fairly sharp and you can get a pretty good cut if you're not careful (voice of experience here).

Spyder14 · Feb 7, 2016

bollar said:
Should be. Turn off the breaker (you knew that) and give it a try. The one thing you probably don't know is that the edges on that metal plate can be fairly sharp and you can get a pretty good cut if you're not careful (voice of experience here).

Re: the edges--thanks for the heads up plus it gives me another good reason to cover it with 3M carbon fiber film. OCD!!!!

I don't like electricians

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Still in love after all these miles

Well-Known Member

Member

Member

verT

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Member

verT

Member

Disgruntled Member

Member

Disgruntled Member

Member

Similar threads