27K quote to restore service OMG

my meter was on an outbuilding that burned down in lightning storm. also had a generator transfer 200a switch.
this was a 320a meter with 2 outputs, one output 200a thru trans switch to the main house 150 ft away, and the other output to a panel for the building that burned.

Utility company wants us to dig up their underground line that went to the meter, backtrack about 20 ft and cut and put a 90 elbow
on it and come up above ground to a new meter base on a metal rack. then restore service to the house

so I got an estimate as requested by my insurance,
I asked for a new rack with a 320a meter and on 1 side a 200a transfer switch and on the other side a 200a disconnect, and to run new 150 ft wire to the house from the transfer switch

27K, but only 23k if you sign up for some silly membership deal.
this is based on running copper in conduit to the house, right now I have AL direct burial 3 wire






I can get a new transfer switch for $700 on ebay and have seen 320a meter bases new on marketplace for as low as $500

this quote is blowing my mind, Im waiting to hear from the insurance, sure it will blow their mind as well

Sounds like you should get some more estimates.

pvgirl said:

Sounds like you should get some more estimates.

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This!

I just got quotes on replacing my breaker box...the top one was in this range $26K!! The Low one about $4.6K

The sounds like the "I don't wanna do it" price.

Q-Dog said:

The sounds like the "I don't wanna do it" price.

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Exactly....though it did include a lot of 'additional stuff' additional work, service calls, maintenance, etc. but still!

A $4,000 discount to sign up for some membership? That right there is some sketcy $hit.

My Mom just got a quote of $2500.00 to replace the valve for the gas log-starter in her fireplace.

Quote does not include repairing the drywall.

Similar original system here but meter moved from out building to house when house was built. Would it be worth moving your meter and you doing the as needed wiring to the outbuilding? You my not have the time or interest.

Four years ago I got a quote of $3K to move propane tank and run new line. I rented a trencher for $200 (ProRental) and did the underground work myself. Propane company moved the tank and made connections. Ran about 200' of trench in three hours so not sure where 20 hours are coming from. They may plan on a few inches down at a time to locate the old line.

My local United Rentals charges $323/day for a trencher plus trailer if needed - prices have gone up. I think they charge ~$150 delivery or pick up which would bring it closer to your $800 quote. I think Home Depot has them starting at ~$100/day, all depends on how deep and wide.

I don't care for the amp derating for underground conduit and prefer direct burial. Yes you need to be 2' down and add red tape above but ducted vs direct pushes you up to 3/0 AL (280a/205a) vs. 1/0 direct (215a/160a). Your utility may be happy with the underground conduit and smaller wire.

Agree the other prices seem silly and need to be shopped. Everyone is using the car dealership model of my repair then my parts, with my pricing for both. From my one major insurance claim, while I had the monetary coverage they only reimbursed actual bills. Self work and discounts had no value except to stay under a specific allocation. The insurance company did offer several companies to pick from and, when I decided to pick my own specialists, gave me the general contractor percentage toward costs.

I’m not an electrician but…

All this hype about copper better than aluminum. YES BUT. My limited understanding is that if you run 100A through 2/0 copper you’re going to have less voltage drop (less heat) than if you run that same 100A through 2/0 aluminum. So the solution is to use lower gauge aluminum, perhaps 4/0 would be thick enough. At the end of the day, aluminum can do the job just as well at a lower cost, in many cases. If you’re running straight runs or proper elbows in conduit then the lower flexibility issue of aluminum isn’t as important.

Now those of use installing an off grid 12v solar system in extremely tight spaces in vans, campers and the like, we absolutely need the flexible quality of stranded copper. If you try to bend stranded aluminum 4/0 in very tight spaces (or even 1/0 or 2/0), you’re either going to not be able to get it to fit or you’ll end up damaging the wire.

Texican said:

my meter was on an outbuilding that burned down in lightning storm. also had a generator transfer 200a switch.
this was a 320a meter with 2 outputs, one output 200a thru trans switch to the main house 150 ft away, and the other output to a panel for the building that burned.

Utility company wants us to dig up their underground line that went to the meter, backtrack about 20 ft and cut and put a 90 elbow
on it and come up above ground to a new meter base on a metal rack. then restore service to the house

so I got an estimate as requested by my insurance,
I asked for a new rack with a 320a meter and on 1 side a 200a transfer switch and on the other side a 200a disconnect, and to run new 150 ft wire to the house from the transfer switch

27K, but only 23k if you sign up for some silly membership deal.
this is based on running copper in conduit to the house, right now I have AL direct burial 3 wire





View attachment 172374
I can get a new transfer switch for $700 on ebay and have seen 320a meter bases new on marketplace for as low as $500

this quote is blowing my mind, Im waiting to hear from the insurance, sure it will blow their mind as well

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Service entry rated transfer switches are a little more expensive than the knife switches you get on EBay.

Nobodybusiness said:

Service entry rated transfer switches are a little more expensive than the knife switches you get on EBay.

Ronk 5202SE 200A 1ph-120/240V Service Rated Manual Transfer Switch

AP Electric is the best place to find generators & their parts. We stock over 2K various standby, mobile, light towers & towable generators for emergency & portable power.

apelectric.com

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Wow! that's a bunch!

Pencil it out in your head in terms of trade.

You could get a new car with a moonroof and faux leather interior for that price.

Would you give someone a new car in trade for a few electrical boxes and some trench work?

Can a service rated 200A breaker holder be used to form the service and then a non service rated transfer switch used after? What are all the situations where you need the service rated transfer switch? Feels like maybe that’s a niche application premium

Re: copper vs aluminum. If the power company uses predominantly aluminum / requires it for wiring on your premises up to the disconnect, in my book that means it’s a fine material.

Checkthisout said:

Pencil it out in your head in terms of trade.

You could get a new car with a moonroof and faux leather interior for that price.

Would you give someone a new car in trade for a few electrical boxes and some trench work?

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Well that's what I keep wrestling with about installing full home solar.....it's essentially paying your power bill 20 years in advance and hell I may not even be here then.

zanydroid said:

Can a service rated 200A breaker holder be used to form the service and then a non service rated transfer switch used after? What are all the situations where you need the service rated transfer switch? Feels like maybe that’s a niche application premium

Re: copper vs aluminum. If the power company uses predominantly aluminum / requires it for wiring on your premises up to the disconnect, in my book that means it’s a fine material.

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Breaker? Dunno.
The SER TS can.
This is what I used.

Kenny_ said:

Well that's what I keep wrestling with about installing full home solar.....it's essentially paying your power bill 20 years in advance and hell I may not even be here then.

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If that’s your only benefit then probably not worth it to you.

Everyone has a different reason for doing this.

Nobodybusiness said:

If that’s your only benefit then probably not worth it to you.

Everyone has a different reason for doing this.

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Well...minor benefits....occasional power outage... And saving the planet from fossil fuels carbon!

Kenny_ said:

Well...minor benefits....occasional power outage... And saving the planet from fossil fuels carbon!

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Like I said everyone has a different reason.
You just have to figure out yours.

Texican said:

and have seen 320a meter bases new on marketplace for as low as $500

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I bet you cannot find the 1.5 version that your utility have though !!!

Q-Dog said:

The sounds like the "I don't wanna do it" price.

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100%

"I don't wanna do it, but if they bite, this price will make it worthwhile"