[Wookiejack]

I just bought a 1,200 sq ft home in Southern California (built in 1954). Apparently my entire panel is garbage. I have a 100 amp service, all zinsco breakers. The house, is currently grounded to the galvanized plumbing (which I'm about to rip out for Pex). I have about 40 or 50 amp breaker heading to the garage.
I have a buddy that knows an electrician that'll do the job for me (all permitted work). He will install 2 grounding rods for me, one for the house and one for the detached garage. For 100amp service panel (with breakers), he'll charge me about 2k. For a 200 amp service panel (with breakers), he'll charge 2.4k, does this sound like a good deal? It seems like I had to replace the panel anyway, and the only difference is $400. Should I do it, and possibly increase home value in the future?
Thanks in advance

 

[mpoulton]

Yes, I'd say go for the 200A service. I assume the difference in the proposals is not just the use of a 200A panel, but also the installation of a 200A meter base and service entrance conductors. The $400 price difference seems a little high but may be entirely reasonable depending on the specifics of the installation.

200A service is pretty standard for homes these days, and 100A is pretty small. It makes sense to plan ahead and not install an undersized service.

 

[Wookiejack]

It used to be $1400 or $1800, but the permit jumped it up $600 to both estimates. It used to think it was a tough decision before the permits. Now I just want it to ho back to $1800.
Lol

 

[Oso954]

I question the one ground rod at the house and other at the garage.
Most people would use two at each location to avoid having to test a single ground rod.

 

[Oso954]

The more I think about this one, I just have to ask (you dont have to answer) is this a moonlight job or is he an electrical contractor ?

Either way, I think you should get a couple of quotes from local electrical contractors to compare to.

 

[GlennD]

I live in Anaheim and when I replaced my FPE panel the city required a 200A panel. I will never overload this panel and it has more slots for breakers.

I paid $2500 for a permitted change out so $2400 is not out of line.

 

[ddawg16]

Wookie....LA area?

Anyway, I think you should hold off on that 'friend'....he is missing a few details.

You can't do anything until you get a meter spot. I'm assuming you have Edison....call them up and an engineer will come out and tell you where you can put the meter. The new digital meters make life a lot easier which means you will most likely be able to put it where the existing one was vs moving it to the side where they can visually read it.

If the garage is detached....and you want a sub panel in the garage....2 ground rods near the new load center....and 2 ground rods at the garage. Sorry, no way around it.

The cost difference between a 100a vs 200a panel is maybe $30.

You will most likely have to replace your service entrance....that is the pole that sticks up and the wires from the pole go to the weather head.

If your in the county, it's not to expensive for permits. Some cities get expensive.

 

[Oso954]

The cost difference between a 100a vs 200a panel is maybe $30.

That isn't the only marginal cost between a 100 amp panel replacement and a200 amp upgrade.

The $400 difference that the OP stated is fair.

 

[ddawg16]

That isn't the only marginal cost between a 100 amp panel replacement and a200 amp upgrade.

The $400 difference that the OP stated is fair.

I would agree.....especially when you add in wire, additional breakers, etc.

 

[Know A Little]

I would go for the 200 amp at the cost difference.

And many areas now make ta 200 amp a local requirement.

BUT In my experience, depending on the appliances you have, gas or electric, the average residential house hardly needs a 60 amp service if they have gas appliances.

 

[ddawg16]

I would go for the 200 amp at the cost difference.

And many areas now make ta 200 amp a local requirement.

BUT In my experience, depending on the appliances you have, gas or electric, the average residential house hardly needs a 60 amp service if they have gas appliances.

Unless you have my garage........:smile:

 

[Arrow3030]

California is a two grod per structure place unless he can prove 25 ohms somehow so I'd question that as Oso did.
The price sounds great in my opinion as that's a 7 year old quote in the bay area. AFAIK, all of California requires LI-ION smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors updated for any residential permit so look into it and budget accordingly.

 

[daveblt]

You could go with 150 amp service . That would be plenty for a house that size.

 

[GlennD]

You could go with 150 amp service . That would be plenty for a house that size.

That depends on the city. I would be happy with 100A service since the utilities are natural gas. The only thing that the required 200A service gives me is more breaker positions.

I lived in a 1956 house several blocks away. It had 60A service and it was fine. It would not support my electric car but otherwise it was fine. All utilities were gas.