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June 3, 2009
Upgrading Electrical Service?
I'm looking to switch out my breaker panel (possibly moving it) and bring more power to my apartment. Right now I have a Federated Pacific panel with 40A/120V coming up and 4 breakers splitting it out (no room for more breakers).
I live on the 4th floor of a coop. The electric was last done in the 60's. I'm on the board, so board approval isn't an issue.
Question is...do I really need to file this job? Licensed vs unlicensed electrician? Any recommendations?
I got in an unlicensed guy who said he'll do it on an hourly rate, and he thinks it will cost me around $700. I brought in a licensed guy and he said $3500-$4000. I had this quoted out a few years ago from a licensed guy and was told $2000 by one company.
I don't want to spend more than $2000, but it would be great to spend less than that...
Thoughts? Comments?
It's so hard to figure this stuff out...
I want to bring up somewhere from 60A-100A. Not sure yet.
Comments
Whats the size of the service coming into the building??? And, how is it distributed among the other units???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 3, 2009 2:10 PM
All units have 40A. There are 45 units in the building. An inspector said the street service is enough to upgrade everyone to 60A without bringing in new outside service. But I could upgrade more taking it out of the people who have no intention of upgrading anytime soon.
Posted by: VTXPatriot at June 3, 2009 2:25 PM
How're you planning to distribute the new service throughout the apt?
Posted by: Arkady at June 3, 2009 2:48 PM
Good point Arkady, especially with 45 units.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 3, 2009 2:51 PM
If you're on the board... why don't you just sneak in a little add-on to the next maintenance project. Get the building to pay for your upgrade! :-)
Posted by: tybur6 at June 3, 2009 2:55 PM
Filing paperwork is not required for this type of electrical work.
I had the same issue. My circuit breakers are also federal pacific. The company is no longer in business for years. It had somethig to do with their breakers being a safey hazard.
After looking behind the box i had two 110 and it could be reconfigured to 220 within my wall.
By all the parts yourself from a reputable electric shop and ask for advice there. The job will cost less money but still try to negotiate the price with the lisenced electrician. You don't want an electrical fire in your coop apartment.
Your new electrical box is murray, square d or general electric/
I am glad you are not on the board in my building, Sounds like your running a fiefdom. Who cares what you want? Who cares about privilege? How about no electrical fires for the neighbors?
Now the whole world knows your a tightwad.
Posted by: Ysabelle at June 3, 2009 2:58 PM
Make sure you don't put it off too long while deciding licensed vs. unlicensed electrician. Federal Pacific doesn't have a good rep, and in my case the breakers on my panel weren't tripping when a circuit was overloaded. Burned out some wires (lucky the house didn't burn) before I got the panel replaced.
Posted by: Bklnite at June 3, 2009 3:01 PM
http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm
In some cases failure to trip occurs 60% of the time - a serious fire and electrical shock hazard.
Posted by: Bklnite at June 3, 2009 3:16 PM
I'm actually looking at purchasing a shell that burned down when the Federal Pacific panel failed to trip. Get it done quick.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at June 3, 2009 3:25 PM
Why do you need 100 amps? Setting up an hydro garden? When do you plan on having your first harvest... I might be in the market.
Posted by: tybur6 at June 3, 2009 3:49 PM
Wow...tough crowd on this one! I have had recent work done by Bullfrog Builders, WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM and I took the liberty of calling them for you...they said $2000 seems ballpark depending on specs. If your interested please call them at 718-228-0199 and mention my name for a discount.
Posted by: Phil at June 3, 2009 4:46 PM
Don't know if you have w/d, but 100 amps is not out of the realm. More and more people want the option of putting in an induction cooktop, for instance.
As for licensed vs. unlicensed...if it were my co-op, I'd require a licensed electrician for anything involving common-area wiring. I think if you shop around you'll get the price you want.
Posted by: Bolder at June 3, 2009 6:12 PM
you will need a new electric riser ....you absolutely should only deal with a licensed professional
Posted by: eman1234 at June 3, 2009 10:19 PM
i reccomend you call mohamed at mn hightech. he answered all number of questions for me, ultimately rewiring our house (4 story federal); and also ended up hooking me up with our plumber, and a general contractor.
646 226 4575
Posted by: dogface at June 4, 2009 3:41 PM
Arkady: My first concern is just getting a new panel and new service in. For the short term I am just going to have the old box left as a junction and bridged to my new box. Then over time I will run my own circuits throughout the apartment.
Ysabelle: I am pretty sure I do not have two 110, but you never know. What do you mean by filing paperwork is not required? I was under the impression that any electrical work "technically" requires filing with the city. I am equally glad I don't have you living in my building...from reading browstoner often...you seem like a douche.
tybur6: I do not currently need 100A, but I need more than 40A. So I figure if I am going to put in a new line, I might as well give myself some room for future expandability. I plan to have the following in my apartment in the near future: 3 A/C's, dishwasher, washer, electric dryer (though perhaps I'll split the gas line and switch to gas eventually), microwave, hair dryer, coffee maker, two computers with printers, and plasma TV.
All: I have read about Federal Pacific. I know the safety concerns. From what I've read however, the issue was more with the larger size breakers than the individual apartment ones. I have had the main trip, and my apartment ones trip often. So I'm pretty sure I have some of the non failing ones. Also...this has survived 40 years so far. I think it can last a few more ;-).
I just saw another guy today. He made a lot of groans and sighs. He wanted to pipe the line up the exterior of the building, or in an exterior manner throughout the common hallways (which looks like crap). He rough quoted me $3000-$5000.
I just get the feeling that none of these licensed guys want the work...and they price it accordingly. Like...hey, if this guys willing to pay this absurd price to do this job then sure, we'll do it. The non licensed guy I brought in said the job would be easy and wouldn't take him more than a day. He said he'd charge me materials and $65 an hour. So if it's a one day job...how much are these licensed guy's making an hour? Assume $600 for materials at the most...2 workers...that's like $300 an hour...
Posted by: VTXPatriot at June 5, 2009 6:21 PM
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