200 amp breaker panel replacement

A930Rocket · 07-10-2017, 09:56 AM

I'm on my phone and can't do a good search.

My parents house in Atlanta needs a new 200 amp breaker panel according to an electrician they had over. He was there to fix some GFI's and look at why some rooms outlets or lights were sporadic.

He said a breaker was swapped out at some time years ago and has melted some of the aluminum in there. No pictures. Said it was a hazard.

Said it would $2,200 to replace. Seems expensive but what do I know.

What's the going rate to replace a 200 amp box?

Hugh R · 07-10-2017, 10:07 AM

I had the same thing happen 30 years ago, and the first electrician wanted like $2000, my wife called the trusted electrican from the school district she worked for, he pulled the breakers and wire brushed the aluminum buss bars and charged us $200.

Shop around, if 1/2 the house has electricity and the other 1/2 doesn't, its a dirty buss bar.

Interesting, I'm going through the same thing with a bad breaker, that is obsolete today.

Evans, Marv · 07-10-2017, 10:14 AM

I had a 100 amp panel switched out for a 200 amp panel over a year ago & the cost was $2K. That was using a commercial electrical company.

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I had a 100 amp panel switched out for a 200 amp panel over a year ago & the cost was $2K. That was using a commercial electrical company.

I had the same done by a local guy this winter. It was a little more than $2K, but they also installed new outlets outside and a new ground wire to bring everything up to code, etc.

look 171 · 07-10-2017, 10:38 AM

Yep, about 2k plus a few bucks out here

URY914 · URY914's Garage

It depends if it is a 200 or a 221 panel. Whatever it takes.

MBAtarga · 07-10-2017, 12:38 PM

$150 for the panel with some breakers, add several hundred more for some AFCI and other breakers - around $5-600 for parts only.

Mark Henry · 07-10-2017, 01:07 PM

The aluminum wiring is adding cost, here code is CO/ALR parts must be used.

1990C4S · 07-10-2017, 01:15 PM

He may not have aluminum wiring, it sounds like the panel used and aluminum buss bar...

But if you do have aluminum wiring be careful with your next panel, it needs to be compatible.

dad911 · 07-10-2017, 01:15 PM

Is it 200amp now, or are they upgrading service also?

A930Rocket · 07-10-2017, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

Is it 200amp now, or are they upgrading service also?

It's a 200 amp service now.

House was built in 1976. It has copper wires in it. At least at the outlets I've seen.

Guy charged them $200 each for new GFI's.

Gogar · 07-10-2017, 07:13 PM

A GFI breaker for my panel is $40, a dual-function GFI/AFCI almost $50. $200 seems a little ambitious even with a little markup.

John Rogers · 07-10-2017, 08:03 PM

Before you worry about the lowest price, if it were me I would ask the following questions:
- Does the replacement require a permit from the city/county?
- Does the electrician have to be licensed?
- Is the electrician bonded or insured and is the work guaranteed IN WRITING?

When we had solar installed, the original breaker box was installed when the house was built in 1961. Cost to do it with parts and labor was $3000. It was guaranteed by the solar company AND the electrical contractor. Everyone who worked on things was licensed but we live in CA so.....

A930Rocket · 07-10-2017, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rogers

Before you worry about the lowest price, if it were me I would ask the following questions:
- Does the replacement require a permit from the city/county?
- Does the electrician have to be licensed?
- Is the electrician bonded or insured and is the work guaranteed IN WRITING?

When we had solar installed, the original breaker box was installed when the house was built in 1961. Cost to do it with parts and labor was $3000. It was guaranteed by the solar company AND the electrical contractor. Everyone who worked on things was licensed but we live in CA so.....

Good questions and my thoughts as well.

GWN7 · 07-10-2017, 08:16 PM

A guy I worked with has a electrical business. Seven years ago I asked him to upgrade my panel from 100 amp fuses to a 200 amp breaker panel. He quoted me $1500 and then never came to do the work. Either he has a crappy memory or he quoted me too little.

Evans, Marv · 07-10-2017, 09:14 PM

Locally the first two items John mentioned are requirements. The third should be a requirement by you if not by the city/county.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My parents were looking to move their breaker panel from outside the garage to the same spot but inside. The issue was the breakers used were oddball and code has changed. It was going to be $3K to get it moved. Seems stupid to put a breaker panel on the outside of the house in Houston.