Cost of Charger Installation by Electrician

[jlamarca73]

I got a quote from an electrician about the work that needs to be done to get my charger installed (once I figure out which one I am getting!). I don’t know much about electrical work and am wondering if people could comment on whether the price sounds reasonable.

The electrician said I have a 200amp main panel (or service to the house, not sure on terminology here), but that the existing subpanel could not take an electric car charger on it. He said therefore he should install a 50amp subpanel and pull the line about five feet to where I want it outside of my garage and install a NEMA 14-50 outlet. The house’s main panel (am I using the right terminology here, the round meter outside the house where the electrical service comes in) and the main breaker box are both very close to the corner of the garage where I want my outdoor charger, so he only has like five feet of new wiring to run.

He said he would do all this for $500 parts and labor, exclusive of the EVSE that I buy and want him to install. I am in the Los Angeles area where our prices for this kind of thing tend to be higher. Is his price reasonable, very good, too high?

Not sure if this has been discussed anywhere in detail, if so my apologies, I’ve really only seen the group of threads on charger types or how to install the EVSE yourself. But I think a standalone thread for this could be valuable because I’d guess a new subpanel installation going to a new NEMA 14-50 outlet is probably among the more common types of electrical work people will need to get their EVSE installed.

EDIT: I know some of the beefier chargers, like Ford’s, would need a 60 amp panel as they draw up to 48amps. I am looking at the slower 32amp L2 chargers based on my needs. The electrician said if I want a 60amp subpanel vs a 50amp subpanel, there will be a material increase in price as he said the panel and wiring would have to be different.

That's a solid price. The electrician wanted $3500 to run 70ft of 6g cable from my panel in front of the house through the attic to my detached garage. I had some quotes as high as $5k!

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[FPLiptak]

I have no idea about the cost but what surprises me is the need for a sub-panel. I have 200 amp service and have had TWO 50 amp circuits in the garage for EVs and did not need a sub panel. This was new construction and there were no issues with getting a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) when the house was completed (2017)

 

[ARK]

I agree if it was just an outlet. Adding a 60 amp sub-panel may be a different story.

Thank you, I will find out. He didn’t mention a permit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t intend to pull one even if required...

 

[ARK]

I have no idea about the cost but what surprises me is the need for a sub-panel. I have 200 amp service and have had TWO 50 amp circuits in the garage for EVs and did not need a sub panel. This was new construction and there were no issues with getting a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) when the house was completed (2017)

I may be wrong on the terminology. He looked at my electrical service outside (the round meter), said it was 200amps and therefore no problem, then looked at my breaker box in my garage and said he needed to add (here is where I could of sworn he said subpanel) because my existing hardware couldn’t accommodate an EVSE on it.

 

[engnrng]

I think a permit for a new outlet is something of a unicorn in SoCal.

Not sure what you mean by this. 3 years ago I had an electrician install a hard wired EVSE that was provided by my utility. Permit was quick, easy, and about $50 to $75 as I recall in Ventura County. All they needed was the specs (rated amps at 240V) on the EVSE. I handled it during an OTC (over the counter) visit, pre-COVID of course. Since I have homeowner's insurance, everything I do I get a permit, including replacing a water heater. Be aware, insurance claims can be challenged if you do NOT get the proper permits. A simple exterior 110V outdoor outlet permit here is $25. Not a big deal at all.

 

[engnrng]

I have no idea about the cost but what surprises me is the need for a sub-panel. I have 200 amp service and have had TWO 50 amp circuits in the garage for EVs and did not need a sub panel. This was new construction and there were no issues with getting a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) when the house was completed (2017)

Codes are not the same - my codes in the County are different from the codes required by a nearby city. In my case, a subpanel/disconnect box (about 6 inch by 10 inch) was required between my main panel and the EVSE. Some subpanel requirements are based on how much room there is left in the main panel.

 

[Maquis]

I have no idea about the cost but what surprises me is the need for a sub-panel. I have 200 amp service and have had TWO 50 amp circuits in the garage for EVs and did not need a sub panel. This was new construction and there were no issues with getting a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) when the house was completed (2017)

Most likely, a subpanel isn't a need, but may still be a good idea. It provides lower-cost future flexibility (at a slightly higher initial cost) and in the unlikely event you do trip a breaker (or just need to power down the EVSE outlet) the breaker is right there in the garage instead of in your basement.

 

[Maquis]

Codes are not the same - my codes in the County are different from the codes required by a nearby city. In my case, a subpanel/disconnect box (about 6 inch by 10 inch) was required between my main panel and the EVSE. Some subpanel requirements are based on how much room there is left in the main panel.

Good points - a disconnect is required either in sight or lockable. A subpanel is an easy way to meet this requirement.

 

[bruceski88]

I got a quote from an electrician about the work that needs to be done to get my charger installed (once I figure out which one I am getting!). I don’t know much about electrical work and am wondering if people could comment on whether the price sounds reasonable.

The electrician said I have a 200amp main panel (or service to the house, not sure on terminology here), but that the existing subpanel could not take an electric car charger on it. He said therefore he should install a 50amp subpanel and pull the line about five feet to where I want it outside of my garage and install a NEMA 14-50 outlet. The house’s main panel (am I using the right terminology here, the round meter outside the house where the electrical service comes in) and the main breaker box are both very close to the corner of the garage where I want my outdoor charger, so he only has like five feet of new wiring to run.

He said he would do all this for $500 parts and labor, exclusive of the EVSE that I buy and want him to install. I am in the Los Angeles area where our prices for this kind of thing tend to be higher. Is his price reasonable, very good, too high?

Not sure if this has been discussed anywhere in detail, if so my apologies, I’ve really only seen the group of threads on charger types or how to install the EVSE yourself. But I think a standalone thread for this could be valuable because I’d guess a new subpanel installation going to a new NEMA 14-50 outlet is probably among the more common types of electrical work people will need to get their EVSE installed.

EDIT: I know some of the beefier chargers, like Ford’s, would need a 60 amp panel as they draw up to 48amps. I am looking at the slower 32amp L2 chargers based on my needs. The electrician said if I want a 60amp subpanel vs a 50amp subpanel, there will be a material increase in price as he said the panel and wiring would have to be different.

I installed one myself in Placer County and had one installed in Sunnyvale by an electrician. Permit in Placer was $180 and I spent less than $100 on materials since the 6-3 Romex was already there. most of the cost was a high quality 14-50 outlet. I needed a new Main Panel in Sunnyvale and 70’ of Romex to reach the dedicated outlet so the cost was much more than yours. Actually went with someone who was more expensive on the outlet as he was much cheaper on the new panel. I believe 6-3 Romex will support up to a 60Amp breaker and a 48 hardwired charger

 

[DBC]

Not sure what you mean by this. 3 years ago I had an electrician install a hard wired EVSE that was provided by my utility. Permit was quick, easy, and about $50 to $75 as I recall in Ventura County.

I was specifically talking about an outlet. I have never seen a permit pulled for a new outlet, regardless of whether it was 120v or 240v. Ditto for a new light fixture. Have you? (Of course if part of a major project that would be different).

My point was that the electrician might/would want to pull a permit for a hardwired EVSE.

 

[kgautam28]

I was quoted $450 with all parts, wires, sockets and permit in Seattle.with Lowen electric.

My charger costed $699, with tax credit for installation and charger it should be free.

My local utility provider also has $500 rebate in charger

 

[duneii]

Most likely, a subpanel isn't a need, but may still be a good idea.

Here’s a Pic of our panel which is 200A. You can see the "slim" breakers with the A/C and 50A socket. It avoided a subpanel.

I had both done at the same time and so don't know the separate costs. This was done 2 years ago when I go tired of the 110V charging on the Pacifica plug in... My weekday typical commute was around 28miles and so, 110V and Pacific's 32mile range was perfect.

 

[TheVirtualTim]

$500 is pretty reasonable and ... there's a federal tax credit for 30% of the install costs (save all your receipts for hardware and labor -- the tax credit is capped at $1000).

My wiring project was $6k (no kidding!) but it was MAJOR work. Oh... and we did a lot of the work ourselves and bought some of the equipment ourselves.

The problems that caused me to have a huge bill were that my home was built in 1940, I have a 100 amp meter socket and 100 amp service panel and I have a detached garage (which only has a single 20 amp 120 v circuit).

Basically ... if the project can be done without having to upgrade the existing meter or service panel and you have an attached garage (no long distance needed to run the wiring) then it's "cheap" (I consider a $500 to be a bargain price). If you have a detached garage or the service has to be upgraded ... it gets expensive!!

 

[buffasnow]

That's a solid price. The electrician wanted $3500 to run 70ft of 6g cable from my panel in front of the house through the attic to my detached garage. I had some quotes as high as $5k!

Holy cow. Sounds like they did not really want the work?

I got 100 ft of 4 ga metal clad run across basement, through garage wall, up through garage crawlspace and back down to new 14-50, EVSE install, including $75 permit and 50A breaker, for $900. Amazing the variation.

 

[Maric]

Very reasonable bid honestly.

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