DIYbanter - View Single Post

(Chris Lewis) writes:
According to zxcvbob :
The "parts" sounds really high to me, but I haven't bought huge copper
wire in a while. (is he using copper or aluminum for the service
entrance and feeder conductors?) No matter how much the copper costs,
$1200 for parts still sounds high.

When I put a 100A subpanel in our detached garage ~7 years ago, we were
looking at something like $700CDN (~$450US at the time) for 110 feet of
#4.

4-ought for 200A is likely to be about double that.

So, $1200 may not be that unreasonable for parts - new conduit, meter
base, everything.

If it's within the OP's comfort zone, he may want to ask the electrician
to recompute using aluminum conductors. Cut our parts cost in half.

14 hours does seem a trifle much for two professional electricians (or
at one with a decent helper), but without seeing the situation personally,
I'd take that with a grain of salt.

Well, I got another quote who is asking $1600 with about 1000 going
for labor (8 hours for one master electrician) and $600 for parts.

This is vs. the other quote of $2800 with about 1550 going for labor
(14 hours each for master and assistant) and $1250 for parts.

Both come well-recommended, licensed, insured with many years in the
business.

- What would explain such a discrepancy?
Both seem to be quoting for the same work.
- What questions should I ask?