Charging a customer

Therealcrt

Senior Member
Location
Kansas City
Occupation
Electrician
In Kansas City a costumer wants me to replace existing 100a panel in a home with a newer one. What would some of y’all charge for that? Probably just a 24 space panel with a 100a main breaker
 
Are the conductors long enough? Correct size? Raceway good? GES intact and properly installed? Flush mount? How many auxiliary disconnects etc that need to be messed with? Are you required to install the exterior disconnect? QO panel or CHBR?

YMMV.
None. 1 for 1 swap probably an Eaton panel surface mount
 
Seems high for something so easy lol
They have never seen the job, so they made some assumptions. But also, there is lots of cost in a job that isn't just labor. There are permits and licensing, insurance, overhead, etc. But if I replaced a 20 circuit 100 amp panel, surface mounted, and didn't have to upgrade the service entrance conductors, or add an exterior disconnect, or use arc faults, I might be around $1200.
 
They have never seen the job, so they made some assumptions. But also, there is lots of cost in a job that isn't just labor. There are permits and licensing, insurance, overhead, etc. But if I replaced a 20 circuit 100 amp panel, surface mounted, and didn't have to upgrade the service entrance conductors, or add an exterior disconnect, or use arc faults, I might be around $1200.
I agree. That cost needs to consider what other work/materials may need to go with changing the panel. Often you are replacing what is there with a panel that is different dimensions so things won't necessarily fit exactly same as they originally were. A few times I have replaced a failing QO load center that has the QOM series mains with a new ons by simply swapping out the interior. A new one with same number of circuits still fits in same cabinet as an older one with that has the QOM series style main breaker or that is convertible main lugs and uses QOM main when converted. That replacement went pretty quick.
 
Did one last Monday.

Had to add the second ground rod, 30’ of bare copper to bond the water and gas lines, new mast and weatherhead, new se conductors.

100 A like for like, but had to move it over to satisfy PG&E requirements. So pvc j box and extending all the circuits. No afci, it was under 6’. But I did have to add surge protection.

It was $2,650, and I underbid it a little.

Also had to disconnect and reconnect/reroute the PV feeder.
 
Did one last Monday.

Had to add the second ground rod, 30’ of bare copper to bond the water and gas lines, new mast and weatherhead, new se conductors.

100 A like for like, but had to move it over to satisfy PG&E requirements. So pvc j box and extending all the circuits. No afci, it was under 6’. But I did have to add surge protection.

It was $2,650, and I underbid it a little.

Also had to disconnect and reconnect/reroute the PV feeder.
Exactly my point that’s a lot more work than a simple panel swap
 
They have never seen the job, so they made some assumptions. But also, there is lots of cost in a job that isn't just labor. There are permits and licensing, insurance, overhead, etc. But if I replaced a 20 circuit 100 amp panel, surface mounted, and didn't have to upgrade the service entrance conductors, or add an exterior disconnect, or use arc faults, I might be around $1200.
More reasonable considering the arc faults
 
Yall must not have done this very often. SEC usually come right into the back or top of the load center from the meter. Easily just disconnect everything from the breakers label then remove the old can put up the new can re land everything call it done. I get these done in like 2.5 hours. As long as SEC are long enough I usually have to splice some of the branch circuits but it’s very simple and to people I know or like I only charge like $750
 
Top