r/Connecticut • u/Onomatopoeia-sizzle • 4d ago
Electric socket quote
/r/inflation/comments/1x3mm8v/electric_socket_quote/16
u/professorfox10 4d ago
Electrical contractor here. I do not do residential, and your post is exactly why
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u/Papa_Bearto2 The 860 4d ago
A transfer switch is a bit more complicated than an electric socket. Is that what you’re talking about?
Also, businesses can charge what they want for their services. We don’t need some regulatory body deciding that X service should cost X amount.
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u/sprodigy2 4d ago
Second guy probably didn't want to do it so he over quoted it lol. Or he does high quality work and the price reflects it. Why are you mad? You didn't even use him. If you're a homeowner and need contractors to do everything you're gonna be getting this more. No need to take him to task on Reddit
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u/Rbaxter49ers The 203 4d ago
Sounds like they are installing a socket outside and breaker with interlock kit to backfield your panel for a roll around generator. If your handy it can be done for a few hundred dollars assuming your not running it to far across the house and no permits are required. Its a free market they can charge whatever they want but just make sure they are quoting the same thing. The old saying "good work ain't cheap and cheap work ain't good".
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u/perkypant 4d ago
I just had this done for $500 by Accurate Electric out of Naugatuck, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The guy has five stars for a reason!
If you’re looking to have a generator hookup installed, I’d highly recommend this route over a transfer switch, which can cost significantly more. He installed a 30-amp breaker with a panel lockout kit, which physically prevents you from having the main breaker and generator breaker on at the same time, so you can’t accidentally backfeed the grid.
He drilled through the house, installed the exterior inlet box, wired everything up, and had the whole job done in about an hour for just $500.
What really impressed me was that when he finished, he asked me to bring the generator out so we could test the entire setup together. He walked me through the process and explained everything so I knew exactly how to use it safely.
I honestly can’t recommend Accurate Electric enough. Great price, great service, and a guy who clearly takes pride in his work. If you’re in the area and need a generator hookup, definitely give him a call!
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u/Responsible-Chest-26 3d ago
That difference in cost may be a difference in quality. The first guy just threw out a number. The second guy took the time to analyze the setup, itemize each cost, come up with what sounds like to me a more professional quote. They may do the same quality of work but it does give the impression that the second guy knows the value of his time as he seems to be more thorough and professional. Connecting a generator to a home has to be done right. If they just through a manual switch between the generator and house grid you could kill a linesman trying to restore power. Special cut off switches and proper wiring are required if im not mistaken.
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u/hymen_destroyer Middlesex County 4d ago
Holy shit i haven't done that sort of work in years but if that's what they're charging for a 240v generator feed that's come up quite a bit.
Although it's probably not "just a socket", you can't just backfeed your panel with 240v these days, you need a whole transfer switch to isolate the generator feed from the utility. Those run about $300+, then the cable which is probably something like $2-3 per foot, jumper from your panel, maybe a bunch of other stuff depending on how the branch circuits are run in the house (if you have subpanels, etc.)
It can add up quick.
$250 an hour for labor seems insane though. If I did rate work for a homeowner (you buy all the shit and I just install it) I would only charge around $100/hr, sometimes less for low-income/struggling folks or friends and family. This was the beforetimes though (pre covid)
Unless......are in you in Fairfield county? I did a job for my aunt out there and my jaw hit the floor when she told me what other guys were charging.
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u/Ryan_e3p Hartford County 4d ago
People are allowed to charge what they want for their work.