electricians in the area

[Ixthys]

Hey there,
I need 2 breakers/lines put in my garage, so I called a local electrician and got a quote of $500 (over the phone). Does that sound right? Seems pretty high to me.

Anyway, does anyone have any references for an electrician? Any knowledge in this area?

Thanks!

[jake2045]

Sounds high to me too!

[Reef Addict II]

Hi,

Well is the garage attached?

Or will they have to dig a trench and run new lines there?

If its an attached garage, then yes that's high.

Steve

[giantxtc]

I can't believe they would give a quote over the phone without seeing the job site!

[Reef Addict II]

I have given price quote on the phone, running 2 lines it not a big deal and I always told people its a rough estimate and can change slightly, once I see the home. Especially if its an attached garage, which I assume it is.

Steve

[Ixthys]

Yes, it's an attached garage with a crawl space. The wire run is easy and I wouldn't mind doing that. It's the install in the breaker box that I don't like to mess with.

[Reef Addict II]

Well then I would say if its just a romex run (white wire or yellow for 20 Amp) then about $150-$175 plus parts

If it has to all be in conduit probaby $225-$250 ish plus parts

Thats what I would have charged in Wisconsin

or to just hook up the wires in the box plus test to make sure its wired right $75 :)(cash obviously)

Steve

[Charlie Davidson]

Quick rule of thumb, Parts X 2 = Price. ( A/c-- Elec) if you ask me - a little high.

[Reef Addict II]

i doubt that would work much the 2x the parts. Parts for that would be like $15 for the breakers + $10 for the wire + $20 for the outlets/GFCI, so by what your saying 45x2=90 for the 2 runs, nobody would do it for that, I sure wouldn't, but if you do it yourself its about $50 bucks :)

Steve

[Charlie Davidson]

You really have been out of the bussiness for a while!! $10 for wire?? I paid $17 for 25 ft at HD the other day, I would think he need 150 ft or so! GFIC, are $20ea.
Anyway, off the cuff price, $150-$175 parts x 2= $300/$350
Ixthys, $500 sounds on the high end, but call around, there are alot of them.

[Ixthys]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I called another guy I pulled out of the paper and he said he's not interested b/c of the (small) size of the job. I mentioned I might want to put in a transfer switch for a generator, and all of a sudden he was interested. I said goodbye to him.

[Reef Addict II]

You can still get 250ft of 14/2 romex for $21.00 and 12/2 romex for $30 and 14/3 for $38.00 at home depot. I just finished my entire walkout basement 2000 sq ft and that s the prices I paid just 2 months ago.

What type of wire are you talking about for $17 for 25ft????

but your right about 300-350 is a normal price and my prices I listed were for doing it on the side.

Steve

[Ixthys]

So not to beat a dead horse, but does anyone have any references for a good and reasonable electrician?

Thanks!

[mylittleocean]

I just wired two 20amp lines to my fish room last week. One is dedicated to the chiller only and the other line runs my 3 400w MHs. The MH line was split into four outlets. Each outlet holds one Intermatic timer and one 2 plug outlet.
Not hard to do. Why not try it yourself. I would help but I am not a licensed elec.
I have been meaning to take pics.

[Ixthys]

That sounds almost identical to what I want to do.

Any idea how to add breakers if the breaker box is already full? I'm pretty sure there are some new-fangled breakers out there that let you double up???

[Ixthys]

Also, I've got a 30-40 ft run. Should I use 12-2 w/ ground?

[Reef Addict II]

As long as its under a 100 ft you can use 14/2 15A wire and breakers, if your load starts to get past 80%(12 Amps or 1440 watts) of the 15A breaker, then switch to 20A breaker and 12/2 wire.

As long as you do not have a newer box which has 40 slots plus 2 slots for the main 200 amp breaker, you should be able to buy a tandem breaker, which fits 2 breakers in 1 slot.

The maximum amount of breakers in any one box is 42(meaning 42 slots). Which could mean 28 single and 6 doubles and of course the 1 main double.

Hope I didn't confuse anyone :)

Plus ALWAYS use grounds.

Steve

[mylittleocean]

Here is what mine looks like afterwards...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/580/61616DSC00098.jpg

[Reef Addict II]

Very nice set-up :thumbsup: