VTXPatriot's Profile
- Mike
- 2001
- 2005
- Brooklyn
- Sunset Park
- Co-op
- IT Specialist
- Male
- 30
- http://www.westofseven.com
Author's Posts
June 9, 2009
Need New Breaker Box and Service
I'm posting this again in hopes of getting more information than I did last time. I have tried to be more clear to make sure I get more helpfull answers.
I'm looking to switch out my breaker panel (possibly moving it) and bring more power to my apartment. I will not be running any apartment wiring at this time. I simply want the new service and box and the old lines tied to it with a junction box. Over time I will replace the lines one by one.
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 am on the 4th floor of a 45 unit coop that was built in 1924. The electric was last done in the 60's. An electrical engineer inspected our building and determined that everyone could upgrade to 60A service without changing the amount of power coming from the street, but since not everyone is upgrading I can do more than 60.
Question is...do I really need to file this job with the city?
Licensed vs unlicensed electrician?
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 another licensed guy come in and quote me $3000-$5000. Both of these seemed like "screw you I don't want this job" quotes. I had this quoted out a few years ago from another licensed guy and was told $2000. That was when the economy was stronger and the price of copper was higher.
I don't want to spend more than $2000, but it would be great to spend less than that...
Any recommendations?
I want to bring up somewhere from 60A-100A. Not sure yet. I have 3 A/C's, a washer, an electric dryer, a microwave, two computers, two printers, two plasma TV's, a dishwasher, a coffee maker, and a hair dryer.
Some other notes:
1. Already have board approval.
2. I know the concerns about Federal Pacific breakers. They've lasted 40+ years, and I'm not going to panic if it takes one or two more.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Mike
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.
Author's Comments
Let's cut to the chase...
Does anyone know any decent licensed guys who will do this job for $2000 or less? I think that's a fair price, and I'm not paying more than that for this work.
That's the real issue here.
Posted by: VTXPatriot at June 9, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Need New Breaker Box and Service
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
Craigslist is the best place to find renters. There are tenent security screening companies...but how much money do you think you can get in a week's rental to pay for screening? ATA (I think) is the company that my coop uses when screening buyers. It costs like $50 to do a full check.
Posted by: VTXPatriot at June 3, 2009 2:32 PM in response to Rent our house?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Vacation Rental By Owner...
www.vrbo.com
I have never been a "seller" but I've stayed in a couple places I've rented from there! It's pretty great.
No screening other than e-mail exchange. It's all about trust in your fellow man, man.
Posted by: tybur6 at June 3, 2009 2:51 PM in response to Rent our house?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
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 in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?
Why rent out for only one week? I would think the risk outweighs the reward. Do you need the money that bad?
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at June 3, 2009 4:47 PM in response to Rent our house?
Have you checked out NoPayTenants.com?
Here's the link http://nopaytenants.com/
Posted by: MissyC at June 3, 2009 5:08 PM in response to Rent our house?
Another apartment in the building just put in a new circuit box and rewired the entire apartment (including low voltage stuff) for $7000 with filing.
Not buying that I need to approach that number to only replace the service and panel.
And I don't have to let the DOB into my apartment, and won't. Only an idiot would do that. The DOB can always find SOMETHING wrong to file a violation on. The best way to avoid it is to not let them in!
This forum has been a complete waste. For every post that addresses my question there are 5 from people just trying to cause drama.
There HAS to be something inbetween the $800 the unlicensed guy wants and the $3000-5000 you think I'll need.
Posted by: VTXPatriot at June 10, 2009 11:18 AM in response to Need New Breaker Box and Service