Calling resident electricians. manbearpig? Slackedtide?

Pg&e does that as a service … cleaning and redoing the grounds…

Wait really?

Our local supplier is redwood coast energy authority. PG&E handles transmission. I’ll text my buddy that works at PG&E and see if that’s something they do.

DIY is always fun and……… 

DIY is always fun and……… 

Service side of the box is always hot.  Someone missed the memo

DIY is always fun and……… 

Service side of the box is always hot.  Someone missed the memo

I moved my service entrance and panel myself as well as cleaning up past work (a long time ago). Anyway PGE came and disconnected me at the periscope around 8am. and reconnected me around 4pm, needed to schedule the inspection before the work. It all came together and was free, cept for the permit.

I used to do all my own electrical but on my last full kitchen remodel I hired an electrical contractor, best money I ever spent.

Wait, can anybody explain this to me?

I think that will happen if you bond the ground and neutral in a sub panel: because of resistance, current will flow on both the ground and neutral.

I think that will happen if you bond the ground and neutral in a sub panel: because of resistance, current will flow on both the ground and neutral.

Neutral and ground are bonded at the service entrance and should be isolated at branch circuit sub panels.  That panel, while old, dirty and untidy, is not the worst sub panel IÂ’’ve ever seen.  I canÂ’’t tell itÂ’s condition 100% by looking at a photo but If youÂ’’d like a quote to upgrade the panel so you have some extra space for adding loads, I can help with that.


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I got a quote. Guy wanted $2500 which seems ridiculously high.

I had PF&E out today. Nobody was home.  They looked at the main, turned off the main breaker, and did not otherwise leave a service tag or call me and let me know what if anything they would do.

Looks like I’m going to DIY it. I bought a new sub panel cabinet today.  Will look into permit requirements tomorrow.

2500$ is the going rate these days for a service upgrade. I charge 3k for a service upgrade.

I got a quote. Guy wanted $2500 which seems ridiculously high.

I had PF&E out today. Nobody was home.  They looked at the main, turned off the main breaker, and did not otherwise leave a service tag or call me and let me know what if anything they would do. 
Looks like IÂ’m going to DIY it. I bought a new sub panel cabinet today.  Will look into permit requirements tomorrow.

3k for a service entrance main panel upgrade is the going rate, a sub panel would be less, but IÂ’d have to look at it in person before throwing a number.  Pulling a permit for that work requires a C10 license.  DIY for that panel wouldnÂ’t be too wild, but be mindful to get those two 12/3 wires on the top right 2 breakers onto individual 2 pole breakers.  ThatÂ’s just one critical issue I can see from the one picture.

Like others have said, $2500 is about the going rate these days if you're going to hire a C10 to size up the subpanel.  The main panel would cost more as it involves permits and your local power company.

I'd say keep shopping for a 2nd bid, but if you're on a budget, then it'll probably be a DIY job.  If I was closer, then I'd help out, but the drive wouldn't be feasible.

I'll send you over contacts for a CPL good electricians I work with frequently

I'll send you over contacts for a CPL good electricians I work with frequently

I’ve been working professionally as an electrician for 17 years.  Custom homes throughout the South Bay Area, commercial lighting and power, commercial and residential solar.  Just wanted to clarify where my advice comes from.

I'll send you over contacts for a CPL good electricians I work with frequently

I’ve been working professionally as an electrician for 17 years.  Custom homes throughout the South Bay Area, commercial lighting and power, commercial and residential solar.  Just wanted to clarify where my advice comes from.

I appreciate the advice.  I think rates are a little different here, and there are a wide range of rates and abilities in the trades.  Doug the plumber is my plumber and he’s helped me out with good recommendations on several occasions for other trades or for bigger plumbing jobs.

Case in point on wide variation in rates, last month I was quoted $9k for a new HVAC and install.  I got it done for $4800 from a different company.