Is $2,000 to upgrade electrical panel with line-side tap and subpanel a fair price?
Project Details
I paid $2,000 for a 'panel upgrade' and was expecting a full replacement with a new 24-slot main panel. The contractor's engineer initially stated there was no space for a line-side tap and a new load center was needed. However, the current plans show a line-side tap inside the existing full panel and the addition of a new subpanel. I am concerned if this line-side tap configuration in an already packed panel will pass San Francisco inspection, especially regarding wire fill and working clearances. I also question if moving some breakers to a subpanel is truly necessary or just a justification for the 'upgrade'. The project has faced significant delays and issues, including permit problems and the contractor submitting inadequate drawings. I am worried the subcontractor will install this design, demand payment, and then it will fail inspection. I want to know if I should demand they adhere to the original agreement of a full panel replacement before releasing the remaining 95% of the payment. My contract includes a 5% holdback for final inspection, and the electrical work is being subcontracted. I also missed out on the 30% ITC due to their delays.
Quote Details
This quote is for an electrical panel upgrade. The original agreement was for a new 24-slot main panel. However, the contractor's current plan involves a line-side tap inside the existing panel and moving some loads to a new subpanel. - Existing Panel: 60A Eaton BR816L125SDG - Panel Status: Full, no available spaces - Building Type: 4-unit building - Space Constraint: Only 17 inches between current panel and adjacent panel/wall on the left side
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More Details
Category
Electrical
Price
$2,000
Quote Date
December 4, 2025
Location
California
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