about to break ground - shop power

[skipdup]

We're about to break ground on a new house with detached 40'x40' shop in the San Antonio area. The shop will be left as a shell inside (bare studs) and will be finished out later and over time. Slabs may be poured as early as next week, so I feel like I've got myself behind the curve.

Approximately 1/3 of the shop will be used to house a race car trailer. I might add a very small office.

I do plan to have plumbing (sewer) stubbed for sink & toilet from the inside (slab) to just outside the building - in case I decide I want a bathroom. I may have a shop sink, draining to the ground (for now) as I'm downhill from where the septic will live.

Debating whether to have water run to the shop now, or wait and do it later myself... The builder's plumber seems expensive.

The big question I have is power. I want to make sure I get enough now so I don't have to go back later.

To make things fully confusing (to me), my power requirements/desires are somewhat fluid right now. I might want to heat & cool (some portion - 2/3 at most, office space at minimum, if at all) of the shop, I might want to learn to weld, might want to learn to woodwork, etc. I definitely want a car lift, drill press, etc. I don't use a compressor much currently (5 gal craftsman), but may want to up that in the future. Beyond that, probably pretty standard requirements - I think.

Can anyone offer some advice on service size I should get to the shop? I don't know what I don't know.

Many thanks!
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[snapon12]

I'm not an electrician but do to past mistakes (I had my home rewired but only adds 150 amp service all natural gas) I had to wait till I moved to use some of my new tools/toys. Add a bigger panel and serve than you think you will need.

149 r/c worx team driver

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . the GJ Sparky's will need MORE Information.

. . . . like Distance from house to shop ?
. . . . what Amp level does the house have ?
. . . . what Main Panel do you have in house ?

If it were me, I'd run 2" conduit from house to shop and try for 90A or 100A. MHF Al 2-2-2-4 will get you the 90A if short enough distance.

Also, rough stub the water underground up through the slab. Finally, rough stub couple more conduits like 1" for low voltage like internet, CATV, phone, security, etc.

 

[klassenl]

Hiring trades may seem expensive. BUT doing things twice is also expensive. Your own time may seem cheap but if you end up taking unplanned time away from work your time gets expensive fast.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As has been said, need to know length of wire and loads.

 

[skipdup]

Thank you all.

Just got back from the site. Based on the flags/stakes, it's roughly 75' to 80' from back corner of house to front corner of shop.

I have an email to the builder to find out what panel and what amp service the house will get.

Which leads me to... Since nothing's been started yet, should I request a specific main panel and a specific increase in amps over what would come standard with the house?

Thanks again!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Hard to say ehat size service u should have without knowing the loads.

But going with at least 200a is a good idea.

 

[D. Patina]

I built a 30 X 36 X 12 and had a 200 amp overhead service, separate meter & 30 circuit panel installed. I'm several years away from exceeding 100 amps but power company and electrician both recommended the 200amp based on my future load requirement.