$1200 for electrical box?

[eednapes]

I'm moving into a new house and want(ed) to change the old spiral/coil cooktop to induction. After spending oh-so-much-time figuring out what to buy, I called an electrician to come and take a look. While the wire to the cooktop is 40 amps, it's divided between the cooktop and the oven. So two new wires need to be pulled through, because the cooktop is 240 volts and each wire provides 120V. The problem, however, seems to be that the old electricity box can only provide one extra wire, so a new one has to be purchased and installed which he told me costs about $1200.

Does that seem like the right number and description?

[Maymybonneliveforever]

It would depend on:

manufacture of new main panel, eg. Siemens, Federal Pioneer etc.
how many breakers in the panel, including GFI.
basement ceiling is finished to run new wires to stove.
permit is requested
final inspection is done
licensed electrician is doing the work
type of warranty.


To make a long story short, average price would be around $1000.00 + tax including permit.

[CF77]

wow..Do you already have a 40 amp 240v breaker for coil top? you can use the same slot breaker box. Check the wire size and spec whether it can carry the load of the induction top. if it is ok..then new breaker.. but likely you may need a new wire if the current higher than existing wire rated.

[woof]

There might be a way to reduce the cost somewhat by putting in a small sub-panel off the main panel and moving over some of the other wiring (lights, regular outlets) to the sub-panel. That would free up openings on the main panel and allow the needed wiring for the stove to be run from there without having to replace that main panel. It would still be expensive but probably a few hundred less than what you're facing now. You'd have to talk to your electrician to see if it's viable.

Whatever you do you want to make sure that you have extra panel slots to easily add more breakers down the road if you ever have to for other reasons because you certainly don't want to go through this again. I am really surprised for a new home that the original electrical installer cut corners so much that the panel they originally put in is barely adequate for the house and has no allowance for future additions..

[CF77]

most old houses are like that. Back then, no computer(s) , big screen tv, wii, xbox, home theatre, heated toilet seat, jacuzxi tub, microwave, pot lights (rolls of them),ceiling fans. now electric car like volt.

[woof]

My mistake. When OP described it as a "new" home for some reason I assumed it was a "just built" home as opposed to a "new" as in "different" home.

[eednapes]

most old houses are like that. Back then, no computer(s) , big screen tv, wii, xbox, home theatre, heated toilet seat, jacuzxi tub, microwave, pot lights (rolls of them),ceiling fans. now electric car like volt.

SO I pretty much have to dish out the $1200 then...

[Maymybonneliveforever]

There are ways to cut corners by getting a lower quality main panel or not getting extra breakers, forgoing the inspection and so on, but do you really want to?

[eednapes]

There are ways to cut corners but getting a lower quality main panel or not getting extra breakers, forgoing the inspection and so on, but do you really want to?

no!

[brunes]

1200 to have a new panel installed is pretty standard. If anything it might be a good price for your area. I paid 1200 for my 200 amp panel to be installed here and that was 6 years ago and out in the maritimes.

[Busybuyer888]

My guys added $1,000 to my reno bill when I asked them to put in a new 200AMP panel 8 years ago.

[y2jversion1]

1000 - 1500 is avg, depending on contractor and work involved..

[38racing]

Seems a bit much to put a whole new panel in to get one breaker space. A sub panel should be much cheaper. I'm assuming he doesn't have a panel like siemens where you can use mini breakers. His electrician would know that. The $1200 hopefully includes running the second wire
But:
Actually looking at my Knight handbook page 106 says separate units ie cooktop and oven "shall be considered as one appliance" and "shall have only one point of connection for supply" ie must run from one breaker in the panel with junction boxes used to split off to each unit. Pictures show where some of the wire can be # 10 (up to 25 ft) after a JB. I don't see anything distinguishing between induction or conventional oven unit.

So why did the electrician want to run a new line from panel? Has he forgot the code?

[nepean19]

I am a real estate Gent and have had many boxes replaced. My guy charges $750 all in to do it. Don't pay 1200.

[BuildingHomes]

I am a real estate Gent and have had many boxes replaced. My guy charges $750 all in to do it. Don't pay 1200.

I would really question the $750. That's a bit cheap to include a permit, taxes and liability insurance.

Rule of thumb is it's usually $10 per amp.