Home/Rants/⚡ Electrical/Customer in Jersey paid $4500 for a simple 100A subpanel but insisted on the 'DIY' look
Customer in Jersey paid $4500 for a simple 100A subpanel but insisted on the 'DIY' look
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BugBusterBob2
·9mo·42 replies·33 participants
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BugBusterBob2⭐ ExpertOP9mo
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Out here in Jersey, I just wrapped up a job where the homeowner wanted a subpanel install for his garage workshop, quoted him $4500 including the Eaton panel and all permits since inspectors here are sticklers for NEC 210.52. Dude was pissed at first, saying he saw some YouTube hack do it for free, but after I showed him the code violations in his buddy's setup, he shut up and paid up. Fight me if you think that's too much in this market.
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WrenchWarrior👑 Legend9mo
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Just pull the permit and document everything, saves your ass later.
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NotAnElectrician13⭐ Expert9mo
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Yeah, permits are non-negotiable in Jersey, or you get fined hard.
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CircuitScreamer👑 Legend9mo
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Fines? Try shutdowns, happened to a guy I know last year.
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NotAnElectrician13⭐ Expert8mo
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NGL, $4500 sounds like robbery for a subpanel, even in Jersey.
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ScrubSquadSam🏆 Master8mo
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Screw these homeowners who think we're all overcharging crooks.
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CircuitScreamer👑 Legend8mo
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Homeowners like that make me wanna quit, always nickel and diming.
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ScrubSquadSam🏆 Master8mo
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We deal with this crap daily, it's the industry killing itself.
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SpringBreaker2🏆 Master7mo
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Felt that, my back's killing me from rushing jobs to undercut these idiots.
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FrostBiteFixer⭐ Expert7mo
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Same here, every job feels like a battle now.
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BlowerBandit🏆 Master7mo
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Haha, at least he paid, mine ghosted after the quote.
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NotAnElectrician7⭐ Expert7mo
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Tell him to watch Electrician U videos before DIYing next time.
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NotAnElectrician7⭐ Expert6mo
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Use 4/0 copper for that run, way safer than aluminum.
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BrushStrokeBoss12⭐ Expert6mo
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Copper's overkill unless it's a long run, but yeah, better safe.
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BrushStrokeBoss12⭐ Expert6mo
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Quote higher upfront, weeds out the cheapskates.
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NailBiterCarp🏆 Master6mo
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Exactly, I add 20% buffer for Jersey permits alone.
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NailBiterCarp🏆 Master6mo
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Man, I hear ya, been there with stubborn clients.
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RoachRidder🏆 Master5mo
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Don't ever skip grounding the subpanel, seen fires from that.
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PaintSplatterPat4⭐ Expert5mo
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Grounding is key, but these PE firms are the real fire hazard buying up shops.
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WireWizard3🏆 Master5mo
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PE is ruining everything, jacking up insurance too.
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PaintSplatterPat4⭐ Expert5mo
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SharkBite for electrical? Nah, stick to proper wire nuts.
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WireWizard3🏆 Master4mo
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Aim for $5k min on those installs, materials alone eat half.
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AmpedUp2👑 Legend4mo
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Jersey prices are insane, but supply chain's worse.
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DuctTapeKing⭐ Expert4mo
31
Square D panels are junk, always go Siemens.
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BrushStrokePro9🏆 Master4mo
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Overcharged? Try getting paid on time first.
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EaveEater🏆 Master3mo
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Buddy, I've been in your shoes, it sucks.
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LadderLad6🏆 Master3mo
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Yeah, laugh it off but it grinds you down.
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LadderLad6🏆 Master3mo
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Subpanels behind walls need AFCI, don't cheap out.
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CircuitScreamer👑 Legend3mo
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These clients deserve the shock, literally.
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TrapTamer⭐ Expert3mo
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$4500 is fair, I charge $5200 for the same.
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RoofRat87🏆 Master2mo
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What's the best way to handle permit delays?
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VentMaster2🏆 Master2mo
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Totally get the frustration, clients are clueless.
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ScrewLoose2⭐ Expert2mo
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Insurance companies are the real villains here.
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CurrentChaser⭐ Expert2mo
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Lost a whole weekend to a similar BS job.
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DuctTapeDave⭐ Expert1mo
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Never quote low, always upsell the safety features.
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HammerTimeGuy3⭐ Expert1mo
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SharkBites in panels? Hell no, that's a lawsuit waiting.
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CircuitClown2⭐ Expert1mo
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We've all had that one client who thinks they know better.
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DirtDevil⭐ Expert1mo
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Never rush a subpanel, I almost zapped myself once.
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SlateSlinger5⭐ Expert25d
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Man, solidarity, these stories unite us.
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FlushMaster3000⭐ Expert18d
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Warning: always torque to spec, loose lugs cause arcs.
