2006-09-19 14:36:31 · 6 answers · asked by Laney M 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Arnie and Tom have the right idea. The labor and materials for the service on a new house even is 500-1000 dollars depending on the service size. Changing an existing house takes much more labor, since all the existing branch circuits need to be reconnected. There is a lot that an electrician knows. It is unfortunate that so many DIYers think they can do anything electrical. The national electrical code is complicated, and takes quite a bit of effort to understand it well. To the person that said it is political BS and mentioned the union: the CODE is for SAFETY. Many deaths and fires occur from improper installation of electrical items. I'm no union fan, but they have nothing to do with why electrical work is expensive. Actually, most electrical contractors charge LESS than it is worth because of competition. If you compared labor rates, plumbers charge more, even though incorrect plumbing installation won't kill you.
Another point. You don't need to upgrade fuses. There is nothing wrong with fuses, and frankly they are more reliable than circuit breakers (being a much simpler device). Unfortunately, some insurance companies incorrectly think fuses are bad.
2006-09-20 02:45:54 · answer #1 · answered by An electrical engineer 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An electrical engineer,not sure where your from but here you have to upgrade your home from fuses to breakers or insurance companies will refuse you. And the DIY guys can do it themselves it's not hard at all just time and a little knowledge. Point is again where I live you can't do it yourself and need an electrician to sign off on it or the hydro company won't turn it back on. This is one of the main reasons why it's so expensive because a DIY guy can't do it themselves.
2015-05-28 09:55:12 · answer #2 · answered by Finding My Way 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A glass fuse costs what? 50 cents maybe? Each circuit breaker will probably be on the order of $10 or so. Right there is a big difference.
Add in the cost of the panel, add in the cost of having the electric supplier come out and disconnect the meter plus come back out and re-connect once the new panel is in, the cost of the electrical inspector, not to mention the cost of the guy doing the work. Plus, as earlier mentioned, the service itself will probably have to be upgraded.
It adds up quick.
Now don't you wish you had learned a useful trade such as electrician instead of wasting your life becoming a brain surgeon?
2006-09-19 14:47:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are paying an electrician to do it 'right'.
The materials are not the biggest cost item (they aren't cheap, but they are not outrageously priced, either.)
An electrician has the training and knowledge. He or she knows what wire sizes to use, what components to use, what codes apply in various circuits, how to make sure everything is safe from short circuits or ground faults, etc. etc.
Finally, you are paying for the electrician's business insurance and bonding that will assure your job is finished.
Look at it this way: an upgraded electrical system has a lifecycle of 25-50 years, so on a per-year basis, it is not so expensive. And you should check with your homeowner's insurance agent - you might get a discount on your premium because you have reduced a fire hazard in your house.
2006-09-19 16:14:17 · answer #4 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The technology is more advanced and so are the circuits. Usually, most electricians will want to rewire an entire house before they just switch out the old style fuses.
2006-09-19 14:41:20 · answer #5 · answered by snowwwplowerrr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it has to follow "code". That is where the unions get involved. Just a bunch of political BS.
2006-09-19 14:44:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋