I can believe that.
I got quotes from 2 electrical contractors last year. Not making this up…the job was to add a small breaker switch to my house electrical box then run it to my garage which is about 60 feet from my house. There they would install a small 30 amp breaker box, just enough for a few plug ins and lights. It would entail running wire in my attic and affixing something to the side of my house for the conduit that’s about it.
I would do everything else: dig and fill the trench, wire the garage (it had been fully wired before but damned thieves had stolen the wiring before I bought it but after the last people lost the house).
The CHEAPER quote was $10 grand even, I live in a semi rural area in the mid-west. I guess it’s going to stay unpowered or I’ll do it myself.
I'm looking to do the same come spring. Your report is discouraging. I live in rural Alabama so it looks like me and bubba will have to get it done. Bubba will pounce on any $300 offer. What we're talking about here is some of the most basic electrical work going, the quote you presented is insane.
“$10 grand”
That’s the, “I don’t want or need the job,” price.
The hardest part is grounding the subpanel. They should have charged you MAYBE a $1,000. Maybe.
Let me guess, the electrical contractors came in pulled out their apple I-pads, punched in a few items then like magic the quote for $10k came out. I also bet both were very close.
Last year I had a transfer switch for a generator installed. I got 6 Quotes. They were all between $1850 and $2100 for the identical work. Ask them to quote a single 20A receptacle. It’s like $250.
They are quoting LOE, level of effort. The claim is if job takes longer price won’t go up. Well, I found an electrician who worked T&M, time and material. $85/hr plus parts. Transfer switch installed for $575.
That job is #10 wire, some conduit, a box and two breakers. Even I can do that by myself in an afternoon if the hole is dug.
I do all my wiring. It is all up to code and I'm willing to have it inspected but don't have to. I can read the code just as well as the next man.
I also go them one better, I never put in less than 20 amp circuits.
Wiring is a pita but it is an activity that comes closer to my pay grade in savings to do. I spent half the day yesterday putting in an outside light on the end of the house. It would have cost me well over a grand to have it done and a lot of bs.
I hired a local contractor who put in a new box, two circuits at 20 amps each.
He replaced all with some new wiring in the garage that needed replacing. It took him 2 hours and he charged me $200. Nice clean job too.
I was amazed at the price. Probably beer money. =;^)
Pfffft... Run the wire yourself. Bury as required and place enough slack wire near each hook up location. Should be no more than $500 to put up the sub and connect the wire. Easy. It’s what I did for my shed.