Additional outlets, lights...assistance needed.

[marley2984]

So I posted on another thread how I am preparing to do a fall/winter garage redo. With that I need additional outlets as well as ceiling lighting.

The garage only has one outlet right now and its a GFI which I have a freezer plugged into because thats my only option. I just called an electrician and was quoted $650 to install 2 outlets off the current GFI and installing a new breaker with about 5 outlets off off it.... all surface mounted with conduit with the panel box right next to where I need the outlets. Also he woulld have been replacing the 2 ceiling mounted single bulb lights with 4' florescents with another 2 mouted further up the ceiling.

That price just seems very high to me. I have handled average DIY projects including replacing fixtures/outlets/switches etc. Just never added a new breaker. Is there any guidance to offer or reading material or anything? lol I've searched threads for guidance to no avail. I want to perform as much as I can because I love the idea of customizing the space for my own needs. Any help or guidance is appreciated as always.

 

[OccupantRJ]

http://www.ehow.com/how_2237975_add-new-circuit-electrical-panel.html

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am not an electrician, but I will bet the high price comes from installing conduit. It takes time and a certain amount of skill to install metal conduit. Check you local codes to see if plastic conduit is acceptable. The only problem with plastic is it requires a lot of support clips on horizontal runs.

There are "other" surface mount wiring systems. Perhaps someone else can recommend one.

Also he woulld have been replacing the 2 ceiling mounted single bulb lights with 4' florescents with another 2 mouted further up the ceiling.

Easy.

Pull the porcelain light fixture and replace them metal octagon plates for duplex plugs (HD or Lowes would have them). Hang the fluorescents where you want and use the typically provided 3 wire cord and plug back to these new ceiling outlets. If it is a finished ceiling use some sort of clip to the ceiling to prevent the cord from dangling. If the cord provided is not long enough, hunt down some cheap 3 wire extension cords that are long enough, cut the receptacle end off and wire it inside the fixture.

Last tip on installing a breaker. After you screw down the wire, give it a tug. I had some breakers where I though the wire was secure and it was not. To get a clear view I had to remove the breaker, install the wire and then install the breaker.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Without knowing more details, I'm guessing the price is reasonable. He's charging you for parts and labor:

- Parts will include wire, conduit, another breaker, five receptacles and receptacle boxes, four fluorescent light fixtures and miscellaneous things like mounting hardware, wire nuts and so forth. He has to buy all that stuff, and then include some markup for profit. Also, he will have to pull a building permit and get the job inspected, so there's more time and money.

- He has to charge some hourly rate to cover his operating expenses, upkeep on his truck and equipment, insurance, etc. plus still make a salary for himself.

So, say there's a $150 in materials, and say it's going to take a day for the install (don't forget he has to cover travel time to and from the job site plus setup time.) If his hourly rate is $65/hour, you're right at $650 or a little more.

So, it's more than you want to spend, but it is what it is. If you're handy, and if you're allowed to do your own electrical work in your area, you may be able to do it yourself and save some money but that's up to you.

 

[Grazz256]

Depending on the run lengths $650 isn't that bad, the pipe can take quiet a while to run. If you are comfortable doing it, and the electrician is ok with it, you could run the pipe yourself then get him to pull/connect the wires.

Last tip on installing a breaker. After you screw down the wire, give it a tug. I had some breakers where I though the wire was secure and it was not. To get a clear view I had to remove the breaker, install the wire and then install the breaker.

To add on to this tip, you should check all of your connections. Every wirenut I put on I always hold it and give each wire a good tug. Its free and it could stop your house from burning down...

 

[TWX]

Before we moved, I had installed a fair amount of electrical receptacles and lighting on the side yard of the old house where I had previously installed a slab. I had a whole bunch of circuits- two 120V 20A circuits for total of four duplex receptacles, one 240V 50A circuit with a NEMA 6-50, and one 120V 15A circuit for four floods, with a three-way switch setup at either end so I could turn the lights on or off without having to walk through the dangerous mess of car projects in the dark to reach a switch. My only assistance was my father, who absolutely hates working on electrical stuff, and I bought all of the parts at the local stores.

Attached is a picture.

What I did, I measured the lengths of each run and bought suitable lengths of wire plus about 20% getting the correct gauge (6ga for the 240V, 12ga for the 120V 20A, 14ga for the 120V 15A if memory serves). We started at the main panel and wired away, but didn't hook anything up and tied it off with electrical tape until we were done so we wouldn't get shocked. The most difficult part was the wiring for the three-way switches, because of the sheer distance from one switch to the other.

I looked up code for number of conductors in given sizes of pipe, and most of what I installed used 3/4". I used 1/2" for the switches on the ends. I can't remember what I used for the 120V receptacles. The top horizontal conduit and the vertical conduit for the 240V and the pair of 120V (on separate circuits) receptacles uses a 3/4".

EDIT: In the pic, the 240V isn't wired up yet, so the wires are hanging out. They weren't wired in on the panel at this point either. That was resolved a couple of days later.

 

[rockwithjason]

650 is not a bad price for that. you will find that it is about average.

 

[jake26]

I agree with the others, $650 does not sound like a bad price for what your asking.

However, residential is pretty easy and there are lots of information on the web on how to do everything you need. Personally, I have never done anything more than replacing some receptacles but after some research, I recently just added a 60 amp load center, a 240 outlet, many receptacles and lighting in my garage.

Here is a nice writeup with photos on connecting a load center, receptacle and breaker. http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/panel/sub_panel/01/new.htm

If I can do it ... anyone can