Feedback/help needed on quote to install Level 2 charger in my garage

[MikeATX]

I just purchased a 2023 Mach-E and now need to get a level 2 charger in my garage. I just received a quote from a large, multi-city EV installation company. Minus the charger itself (which I plan to purchase separately), the quote was still about $1,700 (including tax). This includes $150 for pulling a permit for my city (Austin, Texas). The main charge for installing the 50 amp charger is $1,273.

My question is whether this amount is reasonable. I was vaguely expecting something closer to $1,000 just based on reading this forum and a few other sources. The quote seems thorough in terms of the itemized things they'll do, but I'm trying to decide if I should go get a second quote from another company here in town.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Sponsored

 

[hybrid2bev]

My install was about $1,300. But that was a 50 ft run of 6 gage copper from my basement through the wall into the garage and adding a second meter.

Your cost will vary based on the amount of copper needed (how far away is the electrical panel) and work required (second sub panel or just adding a circuit to your existing panel).

 

[Jim_In_Mass]

I think that might be a little high. I would think the biggest issues are if you have "room" in the panel (how many other high amp breakers you have) and how long a run is it from the panel to where you want the hard-wired or 240V outlet.
I had a local electrician run a 8 foot flex conduit from the breaker panel to a new outlet in the garage, and it was under $1000.
A second (or third) quote is always a good idea.....

 

[RickMachE]

Costs vary all over. I got quotes from just under $1,000 to over $4,000. From running wire to "you need a 2nd meter and another breaker box" to "you need a load shedding device."

My run was roughly 50 or 60 feet. Combined 4 lighting breakers to 2, added a 60amps breaker. Box on garage wall, mounted and connected hardwired EVSE. Just under $1,300, which included permit and inspection. They were more expensive than my lowest cost, but that was using two apprentices, and the master electrician would come inspect their work at the end of the day.

I also did mine in mid-2021. No one had an EVSEs. The company I picked was also a distributor for JuiceBox, and sold it to me at a discounted price. Turns out the cord wasn't the right length (big box store version is 20 feet, I ordered a 25 foot), so JuiceBox paid for the electrician to come back and install a replacement unit that they shipped directly to me.

 

[KevinS]

Don't know about anyone else's area, but be grateful you can get somebody to come out and actually give you a price at all...

 

[21st Century Pony]

I recommend running (specifying) a 6 gauge wire for this circuit. It's more expensive than an 8 gauge because it's noticeably thicker, and it can be harder to pull thru - but it'll future-proof your EVSE setup and it's a safer bet as well.

 

[ddeluce]

I'm in the Bay Area I spent about $800 to add a single 1450 outlet in my garage. My existing panel could handle one additional 50AMP breaker so no new panel needed, and run from panel to outlet was very short. Electrician use high quality breaker and plug, and 6 AWG copper wire. Electrician was very experienced installing EVSE equipment. I had quotes that were significantly more, and one that was much cheaper. The cheaper one used breakers and plugs that were much less expensive but they aren't really suitable for the duty cycle of an EVSE. It is very important to have a proper installation with parts that are up to the duty cycle of an EVSE; it is not worth burning your house down to save a few hundred dollars or a thousand dollars.

 

[LVMMEGT]

I paid $650 for my LVL 2 with 240 amperage.

 

[bbhaag]

My cost was around $650 but I did all the work myself. All it took was 50ft of 6/2($150), a 60 amp breaker($20), an Emporia evse($400), and some miscellaneous hardware($80). A couple of hours later I had the unit powered on and ready to charge.

I know this isn't the approach everyone should take and each installation is unique so costs will differ but it should hopefully provide a baseline for the retail costs associated with an evse installation.

Over nine months of charging and no issues yet plus every time I look at it I get the smug satisfaction that I did it myself!

 

[MGHTYDX]

I just purchased a 2023 Mach-E and now need to get a level 2 charger in my garage. I just received a quote from a large, multi-city EV installation company. Minus the charger itself (which I plan to purchase separately), the quote was still about $1,700 (including tax). This includes $150 for pulling a permit for my city (Austin, Texas). The main charge for installing the 50 amp charger is $1,273.

My question is whether this amount is reasonable. I was vaguely expecting something closer to $1,000 just based on reading this forum and a few other sources. The quote seems thorough in terms of the itemized things they'll do, but I'm trying to decide if I should go get a second quote from another company here in town.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

That's less than what I paid for installation of new outlet and permit fees in Orange Co., CA in April 2022. I think I paid $2108, excluding the cost of the JuiceBox.

Never hurts to get a second quote.

 

[Maquis]

Not enough info.
First, there are no 50A EVSEs. I’m guessing the quote is for a 50A circuit to power a 40A EVSE.
How far is the distance from the panel to the outlet? Is the distance relatively unencumbered or will it involve routing through finished areas to obstacles?

It never hurts to get another quote.

The cost for wire is going to be in the neighborhood of $3 per foot. The electrician should be charging double that. You’ll probably have another $150-$300 worth of materials. The labor will be something like double the material, but could vary depending on the complexity.

 

[generaltso]

First, there are no 50A EVSEs.

The ChargePoint Home Flex can do 50A. But it’s not really worth going to a 70A breaker just to get an extra 2 amps.

 

[Maquis]

The ChargePoint Home Flex can do 50A. But it’s not really worth going to a 70A breaker just to get an extra 2 amps.

Thanks for the correction. I was thinking there might be one, but couldn’t remember for sure.

 

[MikeATX]

Thanks for all the responses. This apparently isn't an unreasonable quote, but a second one may be worth it.

I should have been more specific on the amps. The 'Scope of Work' line in the proposal specifically says that they will "install 50A Charger (40A continuous draw)," which seems right.

Potentially dumb follow-up question: if I'm installing this right next to my breaker panel in my garage, does the electrician just have to run the wiring a couple feet (see image with red circle for the approx. installation location)?

The company I solicited the quote from wanted pictures of the garage and the location of the breaker panel, but also wanted to see the location of the main electrical panel located outside on the side of the house. In my case, the main electrical panel happens to be on the opposite side of the house from the garage. I don't really have a good understanding of whether part of this process requires some sort of change to that panel.

 

[ArthurDOB]

I'm in Minnesota. I paid $1,575 for installation and around $850 for a Chargepoint Home Flex, for what it's worth.

Sponsored