I need my shop wired. 3- 220 outlets 9-flouresent lights 10-re outlets 2-floodlights etc Got an estimate from a big local firm (5 locations). They wanted over $7,000!!! Or should I get just the basics and wire the rest myself? Bruce
7K sounds a bit steep, especially when converted to Cdn. $. Where is the power being sourced from? At times, the shop is fed from the existing service on the house if attached. Alternate route is to bury a feeder from the house to the shop. A free standing building may require a separate service entrance, based on code requirements in your area. A lot of $ can be spent on the particular application as well. House cable??? You might call it Romex, we call it Lumex. Conduit & wire? Armoured cable? Lots of variables to throw a wrench into the budget. Get a scope of work from your contractor & have him/her explain exactly what they've allowed for. I'm an IBEW contractor myself, labour rates in your area could be significant. What ever you do, don't wire it yourself if you're unfamiliar with this work. Seen too many "home made" disasters, after the fact. Just remember if it's part of your home , you're the guy who has to sleep there! Good chance the estimator had a crew coming available, saw all your expensive Buick parts & pieces. Maybe this guy can pay a little more??
Bruce-- In Montana, you can get a permit to wire your own residence/shop, but you can't wire for someone else unless you are licensed. I've wired several houses and shops, and it is no big deal as long as you follow code. I've never done any 3 phase wiring, but that is not what you are after, are you? The inspector here is a real nice, helpful guy. Sounds like you should be able to get by with either a 50 amp or 100 amp main breaker at your service panel. Look at all the stuff you could possibly have running at one time, and size accordingly. Just last month I installed a 200 amp Overheadservice, with 100 amps going to a house I own, and 50 amps going to a shop I own. The most I'll ever need there is a welder, a few lights and miscellaneous power equipment. Just make sure you study the service entrance requirements carefully and provide good ground (1 common and 1 ground, probably). All outlets should be GFI protected in a shop. The wiring from the distribution panel in your shop is not difficult, so another approach you could take would be to have the licensed electrician do your service entrance work and install your distribution panel with one light and one GFI in your shop, making sure to tell him that you want plenty of room for future expansion. That way, you could do the balance of the distribution panel work yourself and save some money. Dan PS: I always try to use copper wire, 12 gauge in small branch circuits. If you have to use any aluminum, make sure you use lots of anti-oxidant grease and torque the lugs to spec.
Thanks guys....I was going to go with the flexible tubing rather than Romex....more cost I guess. I like the idea of doing basic then adding on myself....but I'm swamped and probably won't get to it. I could see $3500 but 7000 seems out there. I'm trying to get some more estimates but no one calls me back. One co did call but said they couldn't do it until Nov!! I guess there is still a building boom going on... Bruce
Steve is absolutely correct. I'm also an IBEW elcetrician and there are many ways to skin a cat. But remember, don't skimp. Always think ahead for the future and overdue it instead of underdoing it. And don't use ANY aluminum wiring except for the service entrance cable. Aluminum's properties change ALOT over time because of heat. Make sure the contractor does a nice, neat, professional job.:Smarty: Alot of times you get what you pay for, but don't get raked over the coals by some hotshot who thinks he's an electrician.
