any electricians? looking to do panel upgrade

[bored4long]

I'm trying to determine the cost of upgrading from a 125 to 200 amp panel. Anyone done this? House is 30 years old.

Any suggestions about what I need to consider in doing such an upgrade and what questions I need to ask/get answered?

Is there a way I can determine how many amps the current service drop is?

The utility company is Roseville Electric.

thanks!

 

[MandM]

Steve (Funman1) is an electrician. We did a panel upgrade when we remodeled our old 1950's house. We had it done with an entire re-wire by a friend who owns an electrical business. Make sure you get a permit. Not a weekend warrior project.

 

[bored4long]

thanks, Sheila. Not something I think I'd attempt myself. Just doing some preliminary research to see if its even in the budget.

 

[D&KSac]

pm coming Mark

 

[TAB]

I know a few. Unless you really need it, its best to leave it as is.

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14798123#post14798123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TAB
I know a few. Unless you really need it, its best to leave it as is.

Can you elaborate? Everything I've read suggests the opposite. Since I'm not in the house yet, it seems now is the best time for an upgrade, since a few days without power won't matter to me.

I plan to add 2 15 or 20 amp circuits for my tank, plus another 20 amp circuit for the garage (and maybe a 220v circuit for a welder).

Thanks again for the advice, guys!

 

[gem]

Congrats on the new house Mark! You gonna have a house warming party once you're all in? Let me know if you guys need help with anything. I know moving can be hard with a baby in tow. I'm willing to help. And have a 19 years old that loves kids that can keep the little one busy while the wife is concentrating on instructing you where to put stuff!

 

[D&KSac]

mark give me a call we can talk i pmed you my number

 

[Reefugee]

Mark,

Do you think that you are going to consume more than 125 amp? If you do, then upgrading to a 200 amp panel makes sense.

If you don't think you will consume more than 125 amps at any single moment in time then:
Do you still have slots available to install more circuits? If you do, you can add two 15amps (or 20amps) circuit to your exisiting panel. You may also consider adding a 50 amp sub-panel to your garage.

I was considering upgrading my panel from a 125 amp to a 200 amp panel, but after talking to Steve, I decided to do the sub-panel in the garage and the two 20 amps circuits to the fish room.

I haven't finished the garage yet, but some day I will. I have all the wire run, but I need to have it inspected, put up drywall, and finish the outlet wiring. I plan on having a bunch of 110V and 220V in the garage that is fed off from my 50 amp subpanel. Occasionally I may go over 125amps, but I think it would be rare.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14799100#post14799100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bored4long
Can you elaborate? Everything I've read suggests the opposite. Since I'm not in the house yet, it seems now is the best time for an upgrade, since a few days without power won't matter to me.

I plan to add 2 15 or 20 amp circuits for my tank, plus another 20 amp circuit for the garage (and maybe a 220v circuit for a welder).

Thanks again for the advice, guys!

 

[MandM]

One thing we did was run a dedicated circut for my office computer. I also have 2 for my reef.

 

[TAB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14799100#post14799100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bored4long
Can you elaborate? Everything I've read suggests the opposite. Since I'm not in the house yet, it seems now is the best time for an upgrade, since a few days without power won't matter to me.

I plan to add 2 15 or 20 amp circuits for my tank, plus another 20 amp circuit for the garage (and maybe a 220v circuit for a welder).

Thanks again for the advice, guys!

Since your not in the house, its not as big of a deal.

I was just trying to save you a bunch of hassle and a couple grand.

Unless you have electric every thing, you will never need the 200 amp. If you need more slots its beter to add a sub panel. Now the welder might be a prob, depending on the welder. The smaller ones are 20 amp, med is 40... if you need a 60 amp for your welder... well lets me say... Baller.

 

[mikid]

upgrade

upgrade

a neighbor of mine teaches at the electrican union hall,he did my 200amp upgrade for 500.00,he told my old breakers,had an est from a few places,in wall 1800-2200.00,surface wa 1500-1800.00 real expensive but well worth it,then i set up a dual 60 amp service in the garage for my xmas light,outside frt lights and now have a ciruct for my tank also...........

 

[TAB]

^^^^ those numbers are spot on.

 

[D&KSac]

When I used to do residential service the first range is about what the contractor I worked for back then would charge. Plus 10% markup on all material. The 1800-2200 was just labor. Man I need to get my C10 license and go into business for myself. I would do them by myself have them done in a day maybe + a few hours another day for patch type work. But power off to power on one day.

 

[TAB]

yeah them comes things like truck, tools, ins, bonding...

I made twice what I do now workfing for other people( ot is why).


my only real complant is loss of health ins.

 

[D&KSac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14802025#post14802025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TAB
yeah them comes things like truck, tools, ins, bonding...

Yeah and the brand new chevy truck and house on acreage in Rancho Murietta. LOL I did my own billing, I know what I made vs what I billed with no med insurance I paid for my own. I know approx what he made off my hourly rate it was pretty crazy. Ive looked into it being bonded for the size jobs he did wasnt very much. Lets just say he was making money hand over fist. Anyway this is getting off topic and this isnt the venue for it.