Frustrated with EV charger installs eating into my panel upgrade profits

I'm trying to bump up my pricing strategy for these EV charger jobs but damn, clients keep nickel and diming me on the panel upgrades that come with em. Just did a 200A service upgrade with a Siemens panel and threw in the Tesla Wall Connector install, but the homeowner balked at the $4500 quote even though we're in central Texas and everything's gotta be beefy for the heat. I saw a thread on r/electricians where guys were saying to bundle it all flat rate but that leaves me exposed if they add scope. Been dealing with this crap for years, how do you lock in the EV add-ons without losing the whole gig? Someone in the Electricians Network FB group mentioned using option sheets, but I'm skeptical.

Screw these homeowners who think EV chargers grow on trees without a proper panel.

i feel ya man, same BS with every solar tie-in job.

EV owners are the worst, always wanting free upgrades.

Proud of the one time I walked away and the guy came crawling back with full price.

SharkBite for plumbing sure, but for electrical? Nah, stick to proper lugs and torque specs on those panels. Fight me if you disagree.

Break it down line by line: $1200 for the panel, $800 labor, $1500 for the charger itself.

Use Housecall Pro to generate those option sheets automatically, saves headaches.

Don't ever lowball the panel work, one undersized setup and you're liable for years.

Walked into a job last week where the DIY EV install tripped the main, total fire hazard.

Haha, told a client his Tesla dreams needed a new service drop, he bought a bicycle instead.

These cheapskates are gonna get zapped one day.

Electricians getting screwed on EV jobs while Tesla rakes it in.

Panels ain't cheap, blame the supply chain not us.

been there, lost a whole afternoon arguing over a $500 upcharge.

Central TX heat means bigger wire runs, explain that upfront.

Rough week with similar pushback on a 240V dryer circuit.

I hear that, clients think we're magicians with budgets.

Same here, quoted $3800 for a similar setup and they ghosted.

Felt this in my wallet, man. Keep fighting the good fight.

Homeowners unionizing against us sparks, ridiculous.

Try adding a line item for 'future-proofing' the panel, works sometimes.

Square D or bust for reliability, don't skimp on brands.

Echoing the frustration, these EV trends are killing margins.

Man, I just nod and add 20% contingency for their BS changes.

Texas inspectors are brutal on EV grounding, factor that in.

Bundling worked for me once, charged $5200 total and they paid up.

Saw Dustin Stelzer on TikTok saying flat rate is king, might try it.

Square up with T&M for changes, no more freebies.

Totally get the burnout from these pricing battles, hang in there.