New Elec Material List?

[Bobthetractor]

Howdy folks,
Single Phase 200amp service in Florida.

I've got an ag barn and want to get service to it. The good thing is that I don't need a permit (ag). Does anyone have a material list they can share from a recent project? I've got a real electrician (friend of a friend) to do the main work but was hoping to penny pinch a bit and price out materials from some different vendors. Alternatively, he will put it together and I will buy from his preferred wholesaler (CES) but I've learned over the years that prices can vary greatly from place to place especially now when folks are so busy they don't have the "time" to price compare. If someone has a list/spec I can adjust for my needs but was just hoping for a head start. Thanks in advance!

 

[Terry D]

There is no way someone can give you a list over the internet

 

[Bobthetractor]

There is no way someone can give you a list over the internet

Why? Not looking for a special one-off list just for me. Anyone that bid out service recently or DIY for their new permitted garage of similar size should have one.

 

[Terry D]

Why? Not looking for a special one-off list just for me. Anyone that bid out service recently or DIY for their new permitted garage of similar size should have one.

Every service is different

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why? Not looking for a special one-off list just for me. Anyone that bid out service recently or DIY for their new permitted garage of similar size should have one.

unfortunately it doesnt work that way. way too many variables:

meter main or divorced meter and main? Disconnect required outside? Loads? brand of panel and breakers available in your area? copper or aluminum bus and wire? UFER electrodes or rod electrodes? PVC or rigid?

then theres approved meter pans. Some PoCos only allow certain brands....

as i said, way too many variables....

its funny you want someone to provide a parts list for a project unseen, while you dont even provide pictures.

 

[Bobthetractor]

unfortunately it doesnt work that way. way too many variables:

meter main or divorced meter and main? Disconnect required outside? Loads? brand of panel and breakers available in your area? copper or aluminum bus and wire? UFER electrodes or rod electrodes? PVC or rigid?

then theres approved meter pans. Some PoCos only allow certain brands....

as i said, way too many variables....

its funny you want someone to provide a parts list for a project unseen, while you dont even provide pictures.

You want pictures of the pole to mount meter and barn wall? Not looking for an EE to design it, just wanted a head start on sourcing material and I know enough to adjust. If anyone wants MEP permit or shop drawings for apartments I’m happy to provide…MEP wise, not much difference between Miami and Tallahassee/Dothan, especially on E&P.

 

[Terry D]

We are not trying to argue here. No two services are alike. It would have to be designed before a material list could be generated. What's the distance, what size wire, what size conduit. Wylies pretty much spelled it out. Who ever is doing the work is going to be the one to know what to buy. He's already done all the measuring and laying it out. How could he even give you a price if he didn't already have a game plan. Besides, a electrical contractor is going to get a better price on material then someone just walking into the counter at a supply house. Unless of course, he's not a REAL electrician

 

[Bobthetractor]

Besides, a electrical contractor is going to get a better price on material then someone just walking into the counter at a supply house.

If you believe this then you're leaving a lot of money on the table for pretty much anything sold by the foot, yard, ton, gallon, etc. I work in the construction business so I know a few things on the commercial side. Thanks for your response.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you believe this then you're leaving a lot of money on the table for pretty much anything sold by the foot, yard, ton, gallon, etc. I work in the construction business so I know a few things on the commercial side. Thanks for your response.

umm what? I buy electrical materials at wholesale pricing because i have accounts at the supply houses. joe blow walking in paying cash will NOT get the same bargain pricing.... wholesale accounts are always cheaper

 

[Terry D]

If you believe this then you're leaving a lot of money on the table for pretty much anything sold by the foot, yard, ton, gallon, etc. I work in the construction business so I know a few things on the commercial side. Thanks for your response.

Im just saying, if a contractor has a account and does business with a certian supply house, they usually get a better price than someone just walking off the street. Im not saying a supply house always has the cheapest price either. Sometimes i go to the big box stores or order online.

 

[Bobthetractor]

Im just saying, if a contractor has a account and does business with a certian supply house, they usually get a better price than someone just walking off the street. Im not saying a supply house always has the cheapest price either. Sometimes i go to the big box stores or order online.

I've never found HD/Lowe's to be cheaper. Thought I could on a few small LTL orders and they were more than double the next best. Haven't checked in a while but they're often buying through the supplier I'll buy from directly so they've gotta have a massive volume buy to overcome their markup to me.

umm what? I buy electrical materials at wholesale pricing because i have accounts at the supply houses. joe blow walking in paying cash will NOT get the same bargain pricing.... wholesale accounts are always cheaper

lol Bargain pricing? Yes, I have wholesale accounts (anyone can) and I also have current material pricing from all subs that work on my commercial projects and the times I can't work a better price is few and far between. Subs are busy and are inherently stuck in their ways by using a certain preferred supplier, besides most charge a percentage markup on the materials so that helps your profits...Your account reps buy you free lunch and give free gifts to keep your loyalty and to keep your from negotiating the price lower...Not sure of your volume but if you do enough don't get me started on end of year contractor loyalty *rebates* which I think should be illegal.

We've gotten way off topic on this. I've pretty solved my initial question. If this thread desn't get locked then I'll post some completed pics when the work is done in a few weeks.

 

[Charlie K]

I've never found HD/Lowe's to be cheaper. Thought I could on a few small LTL orders and they were more than double the next best. Haven't checked in a while but they're often buying through the supplier I'll buy from directly so they've gotta have a massive volume buy to overcome their markup to me.

lol Bargain pricing? Yes, I have wholesale accounts (anyone can) and I also have current material pricing from all subs that work on my commercial projects and the times I can't work a better price is few and far between. Subs are busy and are inherently stuck in their ways by using a certain preferred supplier, besides most charge a percentage markup on the materials so that helps your profits...Your account reps buy you free lunch and give free gifts to keep your loyalty and to keep your from negotiating the price lower...Not sure of your volume but if you do enough don't get me started on end of year contractor loyalty *rebates* which I think should be illegal.

We've gotten way off topic on this. I've pretty solved my initial question. If this thread desn't get locked then I'll post some completed pics when the work is done in a few weeks.

Bob, if you have the buying power you reference you should not be wasting you time here. If I were to do a job that the customer buys the material it better be what i spec'd. If not the work stops until the right supplies are on site. Sounds like a cheapie to me.

 

[alfredeneuman]

If I were to do a job that the customer buys the material it better be what i spec'd. If not the work stops until the right supplies are on site. Sounds like a cheapie to me.

Amen

 

[Neggy]

new service or sub panel?

What heavy equipment (220V) stuff are you going to be running?

Lighting? Ceiling fans? an outlet every 6'? 2 outlets per box or 4?

Outside outlets?

Generator hook up interlock?

Romex, BX, Conduit?

20 amp circuits or 15?

Surge protectors?

Ground rods?

What you need is a drawing with what you want to do then do a bill of materials from the drawing

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I've never found HD/Lowe's to be cheaper. Thought I could on a few small LTL orders and they were more than double the next best. Haven't checked in a while but they're often buying through the supplier I'll buy from directly so they've gotta have a massive volume buy to overcome their markup to me.

This obviously varies by region. Ive found lots of stuff that is cheaper at home depot vs. a supply house. The big box stores are what you call loss leaders. They sell some items at a loss cause they know most people will buy other things at a higher price, and thus make up the difference. Large grocery store chains do the same thing (Costco, Safeway, Savemart; last 2 are local chains here)

If you think the supply house will always be cheaper, then youre not price checking much. Home depot has far more distro warehouses than most of the supply houses here.

lol Bargain pricing? Yes, I have wholesale accounts (anyone can) and I also have current material pricing from all subs that work on my commercial projects and the times I can't work a better price is few and far between. Subs are busy and are inherently stuck in their ways by using a certain preferred supplier,

maybe your subs are but i wouldnt use generalizing statements like that... not logical

besides most charge a percentage markup on the materials so that helps your profits...

oh no. scary markup ...yeah that thing they need to charge to cover their bills and overhead.... oh the horror

Your account reps buy you free lunch and give free gifts to keep your loyalty and to keep your from negotiating the price lower...Not sure of your volume but if you do enough don't get me started on end of year contractor loyalty *rebates* which I think should be illegal.

We've gotten way off topic on this. I've pretty solved my initial question. If this thread desn't get locked then I'll post some completed pics when the work is done in a few weeks.

maybe your account reps do that but mine certainly dont.... you must have some odd supply houses in your area...

 

[Norcal]

Supply houses have a lot of different price schedules depending on who the customer is, a good customer is going to get better pricing then someone wandering in off the street.

 

[Knight511]

Is this how normal people act?

"Hi, I need help. Give me lots of information that is probably not relevant to my situation."

~board asks some questions~

"How dare you ask me for any details or tell me it isn't possible!!!" ~walks the path of an ******* and expects to get help~

Or is that just how Florida is?

*GJ folks: Thank you for all the free help you gave me with my project. I might post pics some day to see how "bad" I did. LoL

 

[nadogail]

Thé projet first gets designed and then the needed materials are identified and procured.
Only after the design is completed can you begin to to know what your needs will be.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Sure I'll try: Breaker panel, breakers, generator disconnect, wire (several colors and sizes), conduit, J boxes, outlets, indoor lighting fixtures, outdoor lighting fixtures, switches (some 3-way), staples, fittings, wire nuts, tape, boxes (several sizes and shapes), sub panel, covers for outlets, switches and boxes.

 

[nadogail]

Start with a fat check book and add a few credit cards.

 

[SlappyWhite]

Why not get your friend of a friend real electrician to give you a material list to shop around? Shouldn't this person know better the job they are going to do then a bunch of random people on the Internet with no knowledge of the job?

 

[DEXTERBBQ]

In reference to the statement above about "Supply houses have a lot of different price schedules depending on who the customer is, a good customer is going to get better pricing then someone wandering in off the street."

I own a wholesale electrical supply business. Insider info, yes we will sell to anyone that walks in. Will they get the pricing of an existing contractor who does business with us daily...no way.

With that being said we do make some exceptions. Knowledge of what is being done on the part of the customer goes a long way with my counter sales staff. If a customer comes in with a list and does not deviate off of that list we are more than likely going to sharpen our pencil and offer somewhat better pricing. The opposite end of the spectrum, a "walk-in"customer who's does not know what their doing is either going to get referred to one of our regular contractors that buys from us (so they don't electrocute themselves), not get pricing at all, or get the last column price.

 

[Showkey]

In reference to the statement above about "Supply houses have a lot of different price schedules depending on who the customer is, a good customer is going to get better pricing then someone wandering in off the street."

I own a wholesale electrical supply business. Insider info, yes we will sell to anyone that walks in. Will they get the pricing of an existing contractor who does business with us daily...no way.

With that being said we do make some exceptions. Knowledge of what is being done on the part of the customer goes a long way with my counter sales staff. If a customer comes in with a list and does not deviate off of that list we are more than likely going to sharpen our pencil and offer somewhat better pricing. The opposite end of the spectrum, a "walk-in"customer who's does not know what their doing is either going to get referred to one of our regular contractors that buys from us (so they don't electrocute themselves), not get pricing at all, or get the last column price.

So it’s like the HVAC and plumbing supply houses. Only some of those won’t give you the time day…..let alone sell you some product.

The internet is changing the that business model dramatically in recent years for the DIY guys.

 

[Norcal]

So it’s like the HVAC and plumbing supply houses. Only some of those won’t give you the time day…..let alone sell you some product.

The internet is changing the that business model dramatically in recent years for the DIY guys.

Only problem is that some HVAC mfg. will not warranty equipment bought online.