Upgrading Electrical Panel

[samj1]

Hi folks,

I need to upgrade from 60 amp to 100 amp service. As far as I can tell I only need to do a panel upgrade (i.e., no upgrade going into home). I've been calling around to get quotes but thought I'd throw it out here to see if anyone has had this done.

I'd be interesting if you could give me an idea of how much it cost and what company you used if you're in the Hamilton/Niagara region (as well as if you were satisfied with their work!).

Thanks in advance.

[sunnybono]

Hi folks,

I need to upgrade from 60 amp to 100 amp service. As far as I can tell I only need to do a panel upgrade (i.e., no upgrade going into home). I've been calling around to get quotes but thought I'd throw it out here to see if anyone has had this done.

I'd be interesting if you could give me an idea of how much it cost and what company you used if you're in the Hamilton/Niagara region (as well as if you were satisfied with their work!).

Thanks in advance.

I sold my principal residence and one thing for sure was that I need to upgrade the amps from 60 to 100 (it was part of the sale). My best friend who is an electrician did it for me for free. However the rule have changed since then (2005). YOur licencsed (master electrician) has to apply for the permit. the Electrical safety authoritiy will not issue permits out to home owners and not every electrician can get it either. They have to be a master electrician. Secondly budget around $1000 to $1300.

sk

[BuildingHomes]

The house I am in now was upgraded from 60 to 100 as a requirement for insurance.

Unfortunately the homeowner hired a 'cheap' electrician who didn't get a permit or anything. He did a craptastic job. Avoid Mooky the electrician, he's in Burl/Ham somewhere. Unfortunately the previous homeowner is now deceased and I cannot do anything about it.

[Dustbunny]

I just did mine last summer (upgrade for insurance) and it cost me $2500. I live in Calgary so prices here may be a bit higher as trades are hard to come by and they are taking advantage of that.

Meanwhile, you might want to check the conditions of permits where you live. My insurance only required the panel be upgraded but the city required the removal of knob and tube wiring and any wiring coming from my house that was above ground. That cost me on top of the $2500 as my garage was wired from the house so I had to rewire it and bury the wires.

If you are doing this for insurance be warned, they sent a rep out to make sure I had the sticker from the city saying the electrical work had been done and passed.

[Drthorne]

I just asked my ESA inspector about this and you can replace the panel in your own house or do other electrical work with a permit, but you can't do anything for someone else unless you're a master electrican or work for one and licensed with ESA

[samj1]

Thanks for all the information. The stuff about being a master electrician is new to me.

I have a feeling this is going to be a bit of a pain to get done. Thankfully I don't have any knob and tube to deal with.

[Drthorne]

yes, the master electrican thing is something new that came in last January. you could phone Solutions Electrical Niagara, those are the guys that do work for Mike Holmes. They would probably be expensive but you know it'll be done right... I guess getting a quote won't hurt. Solutions Electrical and Maintenance Ltd. 1-866-383-9984