Electrical Bid for Garage Renovation, what say you?

[shanker]

I had an electrician who used to do work at a Hospital I used to work at stop by to quote me some work.

I'm gutting my attached 3 car garage to the studs, adding 4 electrical outlets to three walls (each on individual circuits), upgrading my existing sub-panel (which is full) to accomodate the new lights. Adding 3 pod lights to my front porch (switched), and a light (switched) in the attic.

He quoted me 1900 turn key, which includes 16 hours of labor and all parts. (I didn't let him know that I'll be buying some of the parts such as the pod lights, attic light, and providing 250ft of 10/3 wire (which I already have).


I'm thinking this is a fair price for trusted quality work, what do ya'll think?

 

[uniballer]

JESUS, things must be different in tx. I was thinking 8 or 900?

 

[shanker]

The Sub-Panel and breakers alone is 670

 

[Steevo]

The Sub-Panel and breakers alone is 670

What kind of platinum is it made of?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What amp feed supplies the subpanel now? is this to be upgraded? How big of a panelboard is he going to install? (ie: 20 slot, 30 slot, etc)

The 10/3 wire is basically useless for receptacles or lighting (its too heavy and has an extra conductor, a waste of good wire), the receptacle circuits will need 20 amp capability (12/2 w/grd) and the lights, either 12/2 or 14/2 either w/grd. I do not recall the code/legal ramifications of oversizing the conductors but I don't think he can. Save the 10/3 for compressor or welder wiring.

Charles

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Without more detail its hard to say! Are u replacing the feeder going to the garage? Any 240v circuits? And if you didn't tell him you're supplying some of the materials then I'm sure he included the cost of those as well!

But for what u described, $1900 does sound a bit steep! Can u provide the details of what exactly the quote is for- ie x ft. of romex, # of breakers and sizes, panel brand/size, etc. Have u priced it all yourself and compared?

 

[cowboyjosh]

16 hours at say maybe $80.00 a hour labor is $1200, plus parts, your at your quote pretty easy. Not a bad price for a licensed electrician (for Colorado or Arizona which is what Im familiar with) if your asking for opinions.

 

[Stuart in MN]

16 hours at say maybe $80.00 a hour labor is $1200, plus parts, your at your quote pretty easy. Not a bad price for a licensed electrician (for Colorado or Arizona which is what Im familiar with) if your asking for opinions.

Pretty much what I was thinking. There may be a little in there for paying for a permit as well.

 

[shanker]

Permit fee is 25bux, which is what the city charges

 

[sickjuice]

I do not recall the code/legal ramifications of oversizing the conductors but I don't think he can. Save the 10/3 for compressor or welder wiring.

Not only is it OK to use larger wire, it is often necessary. Not in this case no, but there is no reason not to use it.

 

[48Classic]

Is there any work you can do yourself to save some money. I ran the lines with the electrician friend over seeing the work. he made the connections and activated the panel and I saved myself several hours of his time. later I traded him so work with my knowledge... Little trade off...

 

[matt151617]

If it's gutted, why not do the basic stuff yourself? Regular outlets and switches are easy to do, but can be rather labor intensive when drilling through studs.

Also, do WAY more than 4 outlets. In a workbench area, do an oulet every foot. In the rest of the garage, I would do every 3 or 4 feet. No one ever complained there's too many outlets. You may also want to add ceiling outlets for a hanging cord, and also for the garage door opener. You may want to put in a few 240v outlets also.

As far as $670 for the panel and breakers... not too extreme. Don't forget every circuit needs to be AFCI or GFCI now. At $40-60 per breaker (or more for 240v breakers), it wouldn't take long.

 

[dipper]

No one ever complained there's too many outlets.

My wife has complained about how many outlets i put in my garage, (one about every 3 feet or so). Of course now she wants me to add some more in the living room cause she wants a lamp in a corner with no outlet and an extension cord is out of the question....lol

 

[matt151617]

The garage is supposed to be off limits to the wife unless she's getting her car…

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Sub-Panel and breakers alone is 670

Square D QO (not their cheaper Homeline) 200 A panel w/mains, 30 space, 3 - 20A 120V breakers, 2 - 30A 240V breakers $173

You are being ripped !

 

[wyliesdiesels]

....Don't forget every circuit needs to be AFCI or GFCI now. At $40-60 per breaker (or more for 240v breakers), it wouldn't take long.

AFCIs are for bedrooms. GFCI would be for the garage!

 

[matt151617]

AFCIs are for bedrooms. GFCI would be for the garage!

Unless there's living space in it. AFCI's are required anywhere GFCI's aren't now. Bedrooms only was the old code.

 

[Tone-NY]

I usually get multiple quotes on electrical, plumbing, or any large project. That way you know what the going rate is in your neck of the woods and then I check references. I know you said you knew him, but you need to find out what real costs are for your location.YMMV

 

[truckn_r]

Good electrical work is not cheap, the price seems steep, but it is actually pretty fair, the problem I always see is that everyone wants cheap electrical work done and believe me there are many people with some electrical experience that do cheap work. the problem is that later on when stuff is burning up and failing they call a professional to trouble shoot and correct the poor work. so what is the outcome, end up paying double for trying yo go cheap.. just my two cents. I agree with Tone though, I would get a second quote just to keep people honest.