Service Upgrade Cost Comparison

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77401

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South of the Border in Houston, Texas
What do you charge...Roughly? Between $__ AND $___

For a 200 amp 40 circuit Overhead upgrade. Meter & Panel outside next to each other, or Meter outside Panel directly inside fed thru a short nipple.
And what is the wiring method?

Remember Texas won't allow SE cable, Only pipe.
The first time I ever saw SE cable was when I was Contractor in Newton MA. I could not believe they allowed, it but I quickly adjusted!

I'll charge $ 1500-$2000 Rigid Service Mast GE(Good Enough) panel.
 
Depends also on how many circuits the old panel had, whether the new panel is in the same location as the old one, how much hard pipe I have to deal with, etc.

But generally speaking, I'm in the same $1500 - $2000 ballpark, except that I only use RGS if I have to (e.g., through-the-roof mast). Otherwise, I use Sch.80 all the way. Occasionally, I'll use SER for the interior portion of the run, but I usually run pipe all the way to the panel.
 
A new 200Amp service will run you about $1500 with mast and no more then about 10' of a SEU lateral.

An upgrade will start at $2k and can run up to $2500 depending on the condition of the old wires.
 
I'm $1500 - $2000 for typical overhead upgrade with pvc riser. I'd add $250 for a rigid mast. Quoted $1400 for a 100 amp upgrade last week (they were selling and didn't want to spend any extra for 200 A) and got beat by a company who did it for $1000. It was an easy one and I might have quoted $1200 if I were not so busy.
 
Installation for $1,000

Installation for $1,000

When it come to a service upgrade to 200 Amperes, I wouldn't even start the engine on my truck for that price. It sounds like some desparate, "Penny-shopper, after hours" electrician. It's not that I want to rake the customer over the coals, but a real, licensed electrician has overhead and expenses to pay.
 
I would say about $1900-$2000 for SE cable into the meter and out of the meter into the panel. Conduit will be more. A 2" RMC riser through the roof will add about $300-$400.
 
ShockedOneinAZsun said:
When it come to a service upgrade to 200 Amperes, I wouldn't even start the engine on my truck for that price. It sounds like some desparate, "Penny-shopper, after hours" electrician. It's not that I want to rake the customer over the coals, but a real, licensed electrician has overhead and expenses to pay.
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You never know. Maybe he has a job next door so he can do the service upgrade with little travel time. Maybe he has leftover parts he plans to use just to get rid of them.

My guess is there may be almost as much time in the job for travel to and from the job site and permitting as there is actual work. If he has some way to reduce that time, he can beat the other guy's prices.
 
The area i am located 200A 42 space loadcenter, service upgrade, with commercial loadcenter, (copper bus) and up to 15ft of rigid conduit, was priced at $10 an amp, in the mid 80"s, from then on, the price has followed a downward trend, while all the other trades, have had an upward trend in prices.

What i see out there, is many contractors that are in business, have increased their prices, but find it hard to price for even a small return, with so many weekend worriers, that do not have all the expenses, of operating a business, they may have a Lic, and a min insurance policy, they use their personal truck, and accept cash payments, and may or may not permit the job, these guys can do a 200A upgrade for $1200.
 
77401 said:
What do you charge...Roughly? Between $__ AND $___

For a 200 amp 40 circuit Overhead upgrade. Meter & Panel outside next to each other, or Meter outside Panel directly inside fed thru a short nipple.
And what is the wiring method?

Remember Texas won't allow SE cable, Only pipe.
The first time I ever saw SE cable was when I was Contractor in Newton MA. I could not believe they allowed, it but I quickly adjusted!

I'll charge $ 1500-$2000 Rigid Service Mast GE(Good Enough) panel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's about where I am at, except I would use a CH "BR" and I have to have 2 grounds. (One can be a copper water line.) Might use Schedule 80 or EMT if there is enough height to attach to a house knob.
 
A lot depends on the area you're working in and what the market will bear. In one county in my area a new 200 amp (straight forward, SEU cable, no RMC mast or PVC) service will go for between $2000 and $2300. Move over one county and the price drops to between $1600 and $1900. Needless to say I'd rather work in the first county. If you move up to the Boston area where Bob (Iwire) works you'll get $3200 for the same service (At least that's what it was the last time this subject came up).
 
speedystevie said:
An upgrade will start at $2k and can run up to $2500 depending on the condition of the old wires.
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Same here.

I add onto that base cost a standard $250 fee to cover the planning, coordinating with PoCo and inspector(s), and permit process. I stay on site from shut down to power up, and that fee makes sure my coffee break waiting for the line crew is paid for.
 
ceknight said:
Same here.

I add onto that base cost a standard $250 fee to cover the planning, coordinating with PoCo and inspector(s), and permit process. I stay on site from shut down to power up, and that fee makes sure my coffee break waiting for the line crew is paid for.
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Chris, that's also part of the equation. Normally, I don't have to deal with PoCo and inspectors in person. We cut the the triplex or disconnect at the pedestal, do the upgrade, reconnect, get paid, and call for permit & inspection. Badda bing, badda boom!
 
and how are your prices for multifamily, let's say 3 meter 200 Amps Service with 6x6 3R trough and 3 100 amps meters and then go back to back with panels indoor with 12 breaker +or -? Same set up with 15' of pipe or SE where permitted?
 
I have a bit of a twist to add to this question. If your not that overly busy and a customer says they only have $1,300 to spend as apposed to your standard $2,200 upgrade fee.

Do you take the job?

I find myself taking the job, I will still push for $2,200 but if $1,300 is all they can do I will not turn it down. $550 in material, $160 One mechanic for 8hrs, $65 Inspection, $15 fuel, $65 overhead that still leaves $645 profit at the end of the day.
 
speedystevie said:
I have a bit of a twist to add to this question. If your not that overly busy and a customer says they only have $1,300 to spend as apposed to your standard $2,200 upgrade fee.

Do you take the job?

I find myself taking the job, I will still push for $2,200 but if $1,300 is all they can do I will not turn it down. $550 in material, $160 One mechanic for 8hrs, $65 Inspection, $15 fuel, $65 overhead that still leaves $645 profit at the end of the day.
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Your journeyman only costs you $20 per hour? My 2 year apprentice costs me $25 with workmen's comp, taxes, etc.
 
andycook said:
Your journeyman only costs you $20 per hour? My 2 year apprentice costs me $25 with workmen's comp, taxes, etc.
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I was using $20 as an example, I actually pay my mechanic $30 an hour, I was not including the overhead in the hourly rate.

I dont want to be paying $30 an hour for my mech but thats what you get when you hire your wife's father. When I say father you probably think old man, but the old man just ran a marathon and came in first in his age group last week, so speed and trust is no issue. Its hard finding workers who produce and who you can trust.
 
speedystevie said:
I find myself taking the job, I will still push for $2,200 but if $1,300 is all they can do I will not turn it down.
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I don't mean to sound harsh...but...
....that sounds like you are raping the customer....put yourself in their shoes....first it's $2200, they cry poverty, you lower the price $1000.

You have just effectively let this customer know that your "actual" selling price is $1300...what does the customer say to his friends?
Speedy steve will drop his number is you cry poverty like me!
Speedy steve is a great EC, he helped me when I was down? Then when the friend pushes for the "How?"...see above.



Would your auto mech. be so willing to drop his rates....or your doctor?
 
celtic said:
You have just effectively let this customer know that your "actual" selling price is $1300...what does the customer say to his friends?
Speedy steve will drop his number is you cry poverty like me!
Speedy steve is a great EC, he helped me when I was down? Then when the friend pushes for the "How?"...see above.

Would your auto mech. be so willing to drop his rates....or your doctor?
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It figures a devils fan would jump to that conclusion after being beaten down by the Rangers twice in preseason... Just kidding around,

But seriously, usually if I drop my price its followed by several words such as, "the going rate is $2,200 and feel free to check around, I will do this service for you at the rate of $1,300 due to you circumstances".

I don't feel the need to explain my charges to customers or feel that I am ripping them off because instead of making $1,500 off you I may settle for $700. I drop my prices with strict discretion, the customers are usually more appreciative then they are to just think I would have ripped them off if I charge full rate.

When I said I use discretion its usually when I can tell someone is in a hard place or when there is future work involved. I don't mind having a bit of a heart every now and then. I don't mind losing some bottom line to help out a neighbor.

On the other note, My auto Mechanic is my best friend and I pay for health insurance so I know my doctor charges prime rate, but my cost is always $20 co-pay.

Celtic, your point is well noted and I see both ends, but again im in the position where I can sacrifice a bit of bottom end to help someone out.
 
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