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…
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.
As long as you are getting your electrical work done by professionals, you are taking a step in the right direction. We use http://www.bryantdurhamservices.com/pages/electricalservices.html for our electrical services in Durham NC.
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…
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
you will need a new electric riser ….you absolutely should only deal with a licensed professional
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.
Wow…tough crowd on this one! I have had recent work done by Bullfrog Builders, http://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.
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.
I’m actually looking at purchasing a shell that burned down when the Federal Pacific panel failed to trip. Get it done quick.
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.