RBM wrote:
It's partially figured by square feet. It also matters if you have
electric range, clothes dryer, AC, etc. Typically a small house with
gas appliances is fine with a 100 amp service, but if you intend to
expand or get major electric appliances, you may want to consider a
200 amp service. The price difference between the two is generally
only a few hundred dollars. How did you make out with your open
circuit problem?

A few hundred dollars? Try $65.

Here's two kits:

The 200Amp kit is $125.00 and comes with 14 breakers.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=39537-296-HOMVP9&lpage=none

Here's the corresponding 100A kit for $60.00 (with a mere 5 breakers)
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...VP5&lpage=none

Mind you, these are RETAIL prices.