Does this price sound right? EV charger install.

[Killer95Stang]

Current Eletrical system:
-200 amp flush mounted exterior panel
-sub panel in garage with dedicated 40amp circuit (orginally installed for my welding setup)
- single story 1300 sq ft house, on slab, eletrical can be run through attic, about 65 -75 ft from main panel to sub panel.

So I just got a quote to install my EV charger in LA County California (for reference). I currently only have a 40 amp 220v circuit in my garages sub panel, so I'm only able to charge at 32 amps using the portable charger. Unfortunately, I would need to upgrade the wiring and conduit from my main panel with 6ga wire and new conduit (currently have 3/4 flex armor) all the way to my sub panel. It is a 100 ft run (being generous, probably 65-75ft) from my flush mounted exterior panel up through the attic (single story) and then straight to garage where the EV charger will be mounted. I priced the materials at about $500.00 and then doubled it. So $1000 in materials.

The guy that came to quote me works as a licensed eletrician for a larger electrical company, but does work on the side. I didn't know this when I got his card, because I initially talked with him when he was doing electrical work at a family friends house. He had a company logo on the truck when I met him, so I assumed that is who I was getting a quote from, not a side business. I'm not against the side business thing, but it has to make sense to me. So after he came by, he took a few measurements and said he needed a 100ft run of wire and conduit, okay. Didn't really say how long it would take him, but said ... about $3500.00. So to me, that is like $1000 for materials and $2500 to cover his labor and costs like tools/ insurance (if has insurance) etc.

Does this seem a little high? I didn't go too much into detail with him, because I was taken a little back by the price. If I'm totally off, then I'm open to a little learning. If i'm not off, but everyone around here is going to be charging that much, I might have to come up with a different solution.

 

[mike93lx]

Not surprising at all.

Why do you need more than 32a?

 

[Killer95Stang]

Not surprising at all.

Why do you need more than 32a?

Permanent wall charger that we purchased along with the vehicle can charge up to 48amps, but my current setup limits me at 32amps. 95% of the time, this is more than adequate for our charging needs, since we mainly commute and can charge over night. But.. the other day we took a 280 mile trip with out any stops for charging. When we got home, we had about 10% battery left, but my current charging setup didn't quite make it to my level I wanted the battery to be at over night. Figured, since I'm looking for a more permanent solution, I might as well take advantage of the power it can give.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I know it sounds comical.. right... but I didn't get rid of my Falcon Sprint, Supercharged Mustang, F150 or F250... just added an 835hp electric car so my wife drive back and forth from work.

I'm not even complaining about the quote.. for the most part, but just wanted to know if it reasonable or not...

 

[jmdirk]

Maybe sounds a bit high. Depends on the going rate for electricians in your area. I had a new 100A sub panel installed for about $3000CAD a couple years back. 0/1 cables, conduit, breakers, sub panel and permit included.

 

[mm08822]

Maybe a tad high but the devil is in the details. Consider getting a sub-panel in the garage and then feed the evs from it. This would provide a lot more flexibility in the future.

Most evs don't accept Aluminum and he may have priced out copper ($$$$). If running to a sub-panel, a larger cable can be used and made of aluminum. (only $$.)

Get some other quotes for the same plan. A licensed company should be charging more than a mid-night trunk-slammer.

 

[428PI]

Get a quote from the company he works for. Sounds outrageous to me.

 

[dcg9381]

Get a quote from the company he works for. Sounds outrageous to me.

I can't imagine that this would be a better quote.

Are their permits being pulled for $3500? If so, I think this is reasonable all day long. If not, perhaps not so much.

I would have asked the "how long would it take" question. When he says 1 day, you know that he's making $2500/day.

I've got 28A, 40A, and 48A continuous charge options between the shop and the house. All of them are more than enough for an overnight charge. I'd never pay $3500 to go from 32A to 48A - that's not changing anything for us.

 

[Aaron_W]

I think I paid $1800 in 2019 to have a 60A panel, and a couple of 240v outlets installed. Only about 40 feet to the main panel and easy access to run all the wiring. Only took a couple of hours and he was on the clock with a business, not doing a side gig.

I'm also in California, but I'm sure electrician rates are higher in LA Co than rural-ish Northern CA and LA Co permits are probably more demanding as well as more expensive.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Things are pretty crazy here right now. Heck, they just started paying fast food workers $20 an hour. Happy Meal is $10 the last time I checked.

I pretty sure this didn't include permits. I'll probably have to get a quote from a big name company in the area to see where it compares.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Get 3 quotes

Ask the first guy if that includes permits. You did say he is licensed so he does have overhead, regardless that he’s working for someone else. Seems a bit high to me but running new conduit in the scenario you described is not a walk in the park.

 

[cvairwerks]

6 years ago, adding two 50 amp circuits, conduit, plugs, boxes and lockable disconnects, all within 3 feet of the panel, labor was quoted at 850$

 

[PCustoms]

Get a quote from the company he works for. Sounds outrageous to me.

Seems pretty shady to walk up to a guy wearing company logo shirt driving a company logo truck and ask him for a quote only to find out he bid it as a side job.

I'm sure the company wouldn't be happy.

I wouldn't want that guy working on my house.

If he told you ahead of time that's a whole different thing

 

[Dagny]

I guess I wouldnt mind if one my guys did side work but jeez not with my truck.

 

[Dagny]

Working in an attic in the summer *****.

 

[428PI]

I did my 50 amp install for less than 200 dollars and that included the 32 amp EVSE charger.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Yeah... I'm going with my gut and getting a few more quotes. I wasn't getting the best feeling when he came by, but just needed to know I'm not the one that is crazy. I know things aren't cheap anymore, but I can't afford to just give money away either.

Worst case scenerio, I call on a few favors from people I know that work in the commercial electrical industry, but are super busy all the time. I hate to bug them, but I could always pull an owner/ builder permit and do most of the dirty work myself and pay them for the time they spend completing my loose ends.

Thanks..

 

[M10]

In a lot of areas you'll find guys that specialize in EV wiring, might get a better quote that way. In Dec. '23, I did a 60A circuit for Tesla L2 wall connector, 75' across basement, sch. 40. conduit. Quotes were $1200-$1500. I did it myself, $650 in materials and $150 or so for the permit. Another $475 for the 'charger.' Took about 2 hours, so the quotes were reasonable.

 

[mike93lx]

I did my 50 amp install for less than 200 dollars and that included the 32 amp EVSE charger.

Subsidized?

 

[428PI]

Subsidized?

Nope

 

[sparky 1971]

Just get more quotes and compare. This guy might be like me, if there is attic work involved I double the labor at a minimum hoping to not get the job, but if I do, it's worth my time (almost).

 

[sparky 1971]

Get 3 quotes

Ask the first guy if that includes permits. You did say he is licensed so he does have overhead, regardless that he’s working for someone else. Seems a bit high to me but running new conduit in the scenario you described is not a walk in the park.

What is licensing like out there? Here someone could be licensed, but it's a journeymans and means he can work for someone without supervision. The only overhead that comes with it is the cost of CEU's, which are sometimes free, and the $75 every three years for renewal. Permits require a masters and contractors license as well as being registered as a contractor with the states Department of Labor.

 

[nadogail]

I put in a Level 2 Charging Station for my son's Leaf for less than $100. My labor is "Priceless" and we don't need "Those Stinking Permits".

 

[AA/FC]

I did my 50 amp install for less than 200 dollars and that included the 32 amp EVSE charger.

When I finished the interior of my garage about 20 years ago, I added two 50amp welding receptacles that are fed with 6 gauge copper THHN in surface mount EMT conduit. I didn't know I could derate specifically for welders. It really wasn't an issue because copper wire was much cheaper 20 years ago. I didn't know it then, but those welding outlet circuits could easily become EV charging circuits today. They are even located in the perfect spot where EV chargers would be mounted. I don't weld in my garage anymore, and I no longer own a welder. Those "welding outlets" already paid for themselves over a decade ago..... so, in my mind, my garage wiring has been "EV ready" long before EV home charging was even a "thing". Basically my EV install was free. lol (minus the price of the charger(s)

I have no interest in EVs right now so it really doesn't matter, anyway. lol.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What is licensing like out there? Here someone could be licensed, but it's a journeymans and means he can work for someone without supervision. The only overhead that comes with it is the cost of CEU's, which are sometimes free, and the $75 every three years for renewal. Permits require a masters and contractors license as well as being registered as a contractor with the states Department of Labor.

We have journeyman certs and C10 electrical contractors license. A journeyman cant legally contract

 

[ipgenie]

Adding a 48A plug VS 32A wouldn't be worth the cost for most EVs. You'd need a bigg battery and a long daily commute before you could take advantage of the higher capacity.

48A X 240V = 11,520W
32A X 240V = 7, 680W

I charge mine during off peak hours each night. That will be different for each power company but in my case there are 9 hours off peak each day so I'll use that.

11,520W X 9hrs = about 103kWh
7,680 X 9hrs = about 69kWh

The average EV battery is 83kWh. Mine is smaller but some, especially trucks, are larger. For the sake of easy math, I'll ignore the fact that the charge amps taper off as the battery nears 100% and pretend that it charges at full speed and 100% efficient

48A could charge the average EV (83kWh) each night from 0-100%. 32A will charge it to 83%. Most EV drivers don't run the battery dead every day, even 17% left is probably uncommon most days so 32A would still charge to 100% in 9 hrs. Lots of EV drivers also don't charge to 100% every night. 80-85% charged is commonly considered to be a good daily level for longer battery life. We top it up to 100% when we know we have a longer trip the next day. So if limiting the peak charge to 80%, 32A will still be enough.

You'd need to have a commute that used more than 80% of the average EV battery each day, and be limited to 9 charging hours at night before you could even use the extra amps.

For the average driver, if you have an occasional day where you need to charge more than that, it's not a problem to have a partial charge one night, then catch up to a full charge the second night. Many of us could charge once every 2-3 days at 32A and still have sufficient range. Many could get by with a level 1 charger at 120V, 8-12A and still get by just fine.

If the above example is not applicable to you because of a really long commute, installing the extra circuit could be the right solution, or if you plan to add a second EV that is driven many miles each day you might need the second plug. I bet most EV owners could share a single 32A circuit with two cars and rarely be inconvenienced.

But in typical garage journal fashion, I have 6 plugs that I can charge my EV or RV with (50A plug so 42A limit, inside garage, outside shop, outside garage, driveway, etc.) But, I didn't spend more than $250 per plug for the wire, breaker and RV pedistal to install them myself (EVSE was extra). I often park the RV in different places, but I charge the car at the same spot.

At $3500, I would just use the single existing 32A plug and be perfectly content, then I'd spend the money on something I want more.

 

[600SL]

Current Eletrical system:
-200 amp flush mounted exterior panel
-sub panel in garage with dedicated 40amp circuit (orginally installed for my welding setup)
- single story 1300 sq ft house, on slab, eletrical can be run through attic, about 65 -75 ft from main panel to sub panel.

So I just got a quote to install my EV charger in LA County California (for reference). I currently only have a 40 amp 220v circuit in my garages sub panel, so I'm only able to charge at 32 amps using the portable charger. Unfortunately, I would need to upgrade the wiring and conduit from my main panel with 6ga wire and new conduit (currently have 3/4 flex armor) all the way to my sub panel. It is a 100 ft run (being generous, probably 65-75ft) from my flush mounted exterior panel up through the attic (single story) and then straight to garage where the EV charger will be mounted. I priced the materials at about $500.00 and then doubled it. So $1000 in materials.

The guy that came to quote me works as a licensed eletrician for a larger electrical company, but does work on the side. I didn't know this when I got his card, because I initially talked with him when he was doing electrical work at a family friends house. He had a company logo on the truck when I met him, so I assumed that is who I was getting a quote from, not a side business. I'm not against the side business thing, but it has to make sense to me. So after he came by, he took a few measurements and said he needed a 100ft run of wire and conduit, okay. Didn't really say how long it would take him, but said ... about $3500.00. So to me, that is like $1000 for materials and $2500 to cover his labor and costs like tools/ insurance (if has insurance) etc.

Does this seem a little high? I didn't go too much into detail with him, because I was taken a little back by the price. If I'm totally off, then I'm open to a little learning. If i'm not off, but everyone around here is going to be charging that much, I might have to come up with a different solution.

For reference here in CT I purchase #250 AL wire and required ground wire and 200Amp CB. I also purchase the necessary wire for a 26KW generator, I believe #4 AL and 7 colors of #12 copper in 500' spools. The electrician pulled the wires through the two existing conduits 225' for 200A service and 250' for 26KW generator and completely connected the generator a transfer switch which I supplied. That was $3000, which I thought was a really good deal. It was 2 guys labor at 10hr each. and ~ $1000 for wire. He was able to purchase the wire for far less than I could get it anywhere, and didn't add profit to the wire cost. I will say, I thought this guy was exceptionally low for this area.

He also did a 400A service upgrade for me on the house, including new 400A meter pan and any required wiring for $3400

CA is a little more expensive than CT but not that much. So I would say you could do better.

 

[RPH]

I, for one wouldn’t work with this guy. If he was professional about this then the proper quote through the company. You don’t bite the hand that feeds you! I had plenty of side offers for service work on the machinery. I wouldn’t risk my job for a quick couple thousand dollars. I have my integrity and ethics that keep me away from direct competition with my employer. Quick way to become unemployed.

 

[bronc076]

We have no way of knowing what this guy's relationship with his employer is. He may be **** hot and the boss loves him and doesn't care about side jobs.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

We have journeyman certs and C10 electrical contractors license. A journeyman cant legally contract

oh theres also electrical trainee cards which requires the trainee, aka apprentice, to go to school part time. also you cant work for a C10 without a ETC or jman card...

 

[Killer95Stang]

Adding a 48A plug VS 32A wouldn't be worth the cost for most EVs. You'd need a bigg battery and a long daily commute before you could take advantage of the higher capacity.

48A X 240V = 11,520W
32A X 240V = 7, 680W

I charge mine during off peak hours each night. That will be different for each power company but in my case there are 9 hours off peak each day so I'll use that.

11,520W X 9hrs = about 103kWh
7,680 X 9hrs = about 69kWh

The average EV battery is 83kWh. Mine is smaller but some, especially trucks, are larger. For the sake of easy math, I'll ignore the fact that the charge amps taper off as the battery nears 100% and pretend that it charges at full speed and 100% efficient

48A could charge the average EV (83kWh) each night from 0-100%. 32A will charge it to 83%. Most EV drivers don't run the battery dead every day, even 17% left is probably uncommon most days so 32A would still charge to 100% in 9 hrs. Lots of EV drivers also don't charge to 100% every night. 80-85% charged is commonly considered to be a good daily level for longer battery life. We top it up to 100% when we know we have a longer trip the next day. So if limiting the peak charge to 80%, 32A will still be enough.

You'd need to have a commute that used more than 80% of the average EV battery each day, and be limited to 9 charging hours at night before you could even use the extra amps.

For the average driver, if you have an occasional day where you need to charge more than that, it's not a problem to have a partial charge one night, then catch up to a full charge the second night. Many of us could charge once every 2-3 days at 32A and still have sufficient range. Many could get by with a level 1 charger at 120V, 8-12A and still get by just fine.

If the above example is not applicable to you because of a really long commute, installing the extra circuit could be the right solution, or if you plan to add a second EV that is driven many miles each day you might need the second plug. I bet most EV owners could share a single 32A circuit with two cars and rarely be inconvenienced.

But in typical garage journal fashion, I have 6 plugs that I can charge my EV or RV with (50A plug so 42A limit, inside garage, outside shop, outside garage, driveway, etc.) But, I didn't spend more than $250 per plug for the wire, breaker and RV pedistal to install them myself (EVSE was extra). I often park the RV in different places, but I charge the car at the same spot.

At $3500, I would just use the single existing 32A plug and be perfectly content, then I'd spend the money on something I want more.

I guess my application fits under more of a "want" than need. We charge at home about 95% of the time and our EV is my wife's car, which she only commutes to the office 2 -3 days a week. Probably 50 miles round trip on her commuter days. I was never an EV person and kinda fought it for a long time. But.. lately we have been driving my wife's Rivian R1S a lot more and on farther trips. Something about 835hp and 920ft lbs of torque in a family 7 seater, in pure silence is soothing after a work week of chaos. With that said, I usually stretch our range as far as possible, no different than how I do with our 4 other gas cars. I try to do as few stops as possible and usually pull in the driveway at 10%SOC or less. The Rivian has 130KWh battery, which is bigger than most and at 7,680W per hour, I can't fully charge over night. So... since I already own a 48amp capable charger (sitting in a box), I figured I might as well get it up and running. But... like you said above, it makes zero sense at $3500.00... especially when the guy that quoted me so far wrote nothing down, looked up at the sky and probably pulled the number out of his azz, because he probably didn't want to go in the attic.

I get it.. seems like the consensus here is that I should run from the guy that quoted me and get a few more quotes from a reputable electrician in my area. I'll do that, and if the pricing still is in that ballpark, I'll either have to do this on my own, with help from an eletrician friend, or just be content charging at 32amps.

 

[600SL]

Aside from the price quote, I am old school. A person working from a company truck with a company logo should be obligated to bring the request for quote to the company.

 

[alfredeneuman]

oh theres also electrical trainee cards which requires the trainee, aka apprentice, to go to school part time.

...and the trainee must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman.

 

[jmdirk]

I guess my application fits under more of a "want" than need. We charge at home about 95% of the time and our EV is my wife's car, which she only commutes to the office 2 -3 days a week. Probably 50 miles round trip on her commuter days. I was never an EV person and kinda fought it for a long time. But.. lately we have been driving my wife's Rivian R1S a lot more and on farther trips. Something about 835hp and 920ft lbs of torque in a family 7 seater, in pure silence is soothing after a work week of chaos. With that said, I usually stretch our range as far as possible, no different than how I do with our 4 other gas cars. I try to do as few stops as possible and usually pull in the driveway at 10%SOC or less. The Rivian has 130KWh battery, which is bigger than most and at 7,680W per hour, I can't fully charge over night. So... since I already own a 48amp capable charger (sitting in a box), I figured I might as well get it up and running. But... like you said above, it makes zero sense at $3500.00... especially when the guy that quoted me so far wrote nothing down, looked up at the sky and probably pulled the number out of his azz, because he probably didn't want to go in the attic.

I get it.. seems like the consensus here is that I should run from the guy that quoted me and get a few more quotes from a reputable electrician in my area. I'll do that, and if the pricing still is in that ballpark, I'll either have to do this on my own, with help from an eletrician friend, or just be content charging at 32amps.

That's all perfectly logical.

Our GV60 has a 77 kWh battery, so ~10ish hours to fully recharge on 32A for the 40A circuit currently installed. But at a 130 kWh, that's pushing 15 hours. It wouldn't be much for me to replace the wiring and breaker to do a 60A and get the full 48A (the charger is capable of 48A), but it really wouldn't gain me much.

The current charger may only be a stop gap solution as well. I have solar panels and the inverter manufacturer is supposed to be releasing a DC couple EVSE later this year which would let me charge with clipped energy from the panels and also support 2 way charging. But we'll see what that costs once it's released if it makes sense to go that route.

 

[bwringer]

Adding a 48A plug VS 32A wouldn't be worth the cost for most EVs. You'd need a bigg battery and a long daily commute before you could take advantage of the higher capacity...

... At $3500, I would just use the single existing 32A plug and be perfectly content, then I'd spend the money on something I want more.

Agreed.



Although... the quote itself doesn't actually seem outta line for all that added work (as opposed to yer standard slap-a-charger-on-the-garage-wall-not-too-far-from-the-panel sort of situation) plus you're in a HCOL area. I'm ***-uming that doesn't include the charger itself? And does that include the permits? Was it a written quote or just a ballpark?

$500 in materials for the needed wire and conduit feels low-ish for a 100'-ish run. Will you need a new subpanel as well?

I'm also unclear from the narrative on why you feel the guy is giving you a side-work price vs. company price. Or is it his company?


I do dearly love the idea of an 835hp grocery-getter. In the words of Ferris Bueller...

It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

 

[dave*99]

I did my 50 amp install for less than 200 dollars and that included the 32 amp EVSE charger.

Which EVSE charger did you purchase? I can't seem to find one in that price level.

 

[428PI]

I found one at a wholesaler. Sparkicity brand. Got it for 90 bucks. Lol! CE approved. Works great. Can vary amps from 10 to 32 amps. Same one is marketed in other brands.

 

[AP514]

Can you not run 2- 4AWG and the Ground in a 3/4 Conduit ?(60AMP) Just Asking ?

Ah just saw the Flex Cable(MC I assume) in OP- missed that. Still If your Sub Panel is rated for the Upgrade why not just Do the wire swap yourself ?