New 200Amp service questions

[Lakeozark]

After research with the power company and an electrician the best option for me is running a new 200 line to my garage from the pole.
I might be a cheapass... but here is the bid:
1 200 Amp meter base / disconnect
1 200 Amp 32 Circuit loadcenter
Trenching (70 feet), conduit and wire
$3,500!!!!! I almost crapped.
Is this a big deal to do myself? I can rent a ditch witch for $150 a day
I can buy a load center for $109...not sure on the meter.

Obviously I have to buy the meter base and disconnect as well as the conduit and wiring. Am I missing anything?
$3,500 is a lot - or am I just crazy?
OR - Option #2.... I dig the trench and they will do it for $2,500.

 

[Aceman]

Why don't you get another quote or two if you don't like the first price?

Secondly, they're knocking off $1000 for a 70' ditch. That's quite a deduction, are you sure you can dig the trench required with a $150/day trencher. Maybe they're figuring on a 3'+ deep trench for the power company, you're not getting that with a $150 walk behind trencher...

 

[BigJohn20]

$2500 is reasonable. The length of the run is probably adding at least $500 to the cost of the job (go price out 3 conductors of 3/0 THWN Cu @ 70' vs. 20' of 2/0 SEU or 2/0 x 3 THWN). For that price, I would expect a conduit system + QO/CH (aka premium) loadcenter.

Like Aceman said, the $3500 quote should be telling you to further investigate the trench. Sometimes it is just not worth it to DIY in a situation like this.

 

[jvitez]

$3,500!!!!! I almost crapped.

You should have seen the look on my face when the quote for one landscaping plan for our house came back at $150,000, yes one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. We didn't do it...........

+1 to BigJohn20. Find out exactly what type of trench is needed, then find out which machine will do the job and what the rental price is. Then factor in how long it would take you to DIY.

For ugly bull work I'd rather pay someone with a stronger back than mine and the right equipment.

 

[Lakeozark]

Trench is going to be 18" deep.
I will ask about the loadcenter....The house is a Square D, but I am not going to assume its the same brand, etc
I am pretty sure its worth $1,000 in savings to dig the 18" trench myself.
Anyone know what a meter base and disconnect run? Locally they are kind of difficult to find as the big box stores dont carry them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Anyone know what a meter base and disconnect run? Locally they are kind of difficult to find as the big box stores dont carry them.

You know you want Square D. Go to their web site. Download the catalog. Figure out what parts you want. Google "Square D part number" and then click shopping (on the left).

 

[Hroger]

I just bought a meter base all prewider and ready to install for $125 I think it was.

 

[Trey T]

ask to break down the lump sum so you can understand better. you as customer should always know exactly what you're getting. when you understand the task effort respect to the cost, you can negotiate better

 

[bassman]

For power co line from pole, the trench is going to be much deeper than 18". Price sounds fair, if you don't like it, get more prices.

 

[kirk.g]

A few years ago I rented a small backhoe it, wasnt up to the task.I took it back then had a guy come in with a larger machine. He accomplished more in a few hours than I did in a day with the rental.....also how are you getting the rental to the job site?

 

[Lakeozark]

I have a trailer to get it to the house.
GE Load center is what was spec'd
I do stand corrected - trench must be 24" deep....
For $1,000 maybe its worth it. It's hell being a tightwad.

 

[bassman]

It sure is, I know all too wade. You shure that isn't a 42 space panel, I don't recall there being a 32 space available. If so, tellem you want a 42 space panel. And you want full 1"'spaces so you'll have more room and won't need to use halfspace or twin breakers when it starts getting full. Price should be about the same.

 

[Aceman]

ask to break down the lump sum so you can understand better. you as customer should always know exactly what you're getting. when you understand the task effort respect to the cost, you can negotiate better

He knows what he's getting, he put it in the first post.

If you can get an electrical contractor to break down his quote so a bunch of tightass homeowners can try and beat him down on price then he's an idiot...

I just quoted a service change the other day with some other misc. changes in the home, add fan boxes, some receps, etc for $2600+. The customer got a very clear list of what all I'm doing and what kind of equipment I'm installing with one price for everything. That's it.

If you want to shave some money and dig a ditch that's great, I don't know any electricians that don't like the ditch dug for them. We have customers do it all the time. But if I tell you I need a ditch that accommodates 24" of cover on top of my 2" conduit and you dig me a 24" deep trench, we'll have problems. Then if you dig the bottom up/down like an ocean so I have to final grade a bunch of it with a shovel, you're not helping anything.

It's surprising how many people can't dig a simple ditch correctly. You'd be amazed.

 

[mrb]

if youre going to dig the trench, check your pocos trench specs. some call for a sand bed at the bottom of the trench, things like that. and call before you dig.

 

[Rich720]

Is going overhead from the power company pole an option? You say its 70', no problem for an overhead drop to garage peak, or a 2" steel riser depending on height of building or where you could attach.
Around 'here' a ditch is 18" cover for service in conduit, and 24" cover with 6" sand above and below the direct buried wire.

Rich

 

[Lakeozark]

Overhead was an option and I think it is a little cheaper. However - it looks pretty hillbilly and I have a decent neighborhood and this is close to the road so I dont like that option.
It wold have to go 12-18' overhead and I would have to trim the hell out of a bunch of trees.... that option is out.
I am still thinking of digging the ditch myself. The electrical contractor is a great guy and has done commercial jobs in places I have worked so its not a gouge - I'm just trying to stop the bleeding. My $19K bid is currently at $34,000.
Hell....Whats another thousand at this point, right?