Why Do Electricians Charge So Much To Install EV Outlets?

[CyberGus]

Think one big factor nobody seemed to mention is at 240 volts you get shocked and game is over.

I touched a live 240v connection before. While on an aluminum ladder. On a wet floor.

Needless to say, the ladder and I suddenly parted ways. Fortunately I was young enough back then to just walk it off

 

[KJD]

At this point, I did what most other budget conscious consumers do, I went and looked up the parts required. I find the following all readily accessible at my nearest Home Depot (I'm normally a Lowe's guy, but they didn't have them): 50 amp, 2 pole circuit breaker ($25; specific to my panel [found out the hard way, went to install the first one and it didn't fit]); NEMA 14-50 outlet ($8); 6/3 Romex wire (6' X $3 = $18); 2 gang junction box ($3); 3/4 clamp connectors ($5) & 2 gang wall plate ($2).

I gave up on buying outlets from Home Depot after I read this thread.

Definitive 14-50 NEMA Outlet Guide

You never want to have this happen. Be careful out there people.

Burnt nema 14-50 plug and breaker tripped

 

[garrett5688]

Last comment from me ... and not just to annoy some people:

Between technical advances in manufacturing and design that have lead to *much* easier and simpler application and installation; and the vast volume of accessible teaching materials, trades should have been squeezed into poverty. They have not been, because citizen laziness and ignorance has outpaced innovation.

<<consumer choice>>

yes it’s also amazing the size of the restaurant and food industries given the ease of cooking and accessibility of instruction and quality ingredients

 

[RedOctober]

Let me start by saying I do a lot of my own work because I have a few skillsets but here is a simple thing some overlook that the customer won’t be paying for. Tradesman gets a flat tire going to or from small jobs, a lose of time, which is money and repair/replacement of tire which is more money, even a mechanical breakdown is a lose of income, to do one small job.

 

[melburstein]

Forgot to pose my question at the end...

So why do electricians charge so much to do this?

 

[melburstein]

Glad you did it yourself. It really isn't a hard thing to do, especially when you are installing the outlet or HPWC next to the panel.

However, any professional...whether it's plumbing or electrician or gardener, has overhead besides the hour. I don't think a minimum of $300 is that bad for an hour's work when you consider he has to get the parts, travel to your location, actually do the work...and most importantly...warranty the work and place his work under the scrutiny of inspectors. Further, s/he needs to pay liability insurance if that circuit catches fire and burns down your house. For a true professional, a minimum job charge of $250-300 isn't terrible.

 

[melburstein]

Glad you did it yourself. It really isn't a hard thing to do, especially when you are installing the outlet or HPWC next to the panel.

However, any professional...whether it's plumbing or electrician or gardener, has overhead besides the hour. I don't think a minimum of $300 is that bad for an hour's work when you consider he has to get the parts, travel to your location, actually do the work...and most importantly...warranty the work and place his work under the scrutiny of inspectors. Further, s/he needs to pay liability insurance if that circuit catches fire and burns down your house. For a true professional, a minimum job charge of $250-300 isn't terrible.

 

[petecrayton]

Let me preface my comments by saying that this is a rant thread...

I'm on my third Tesla in 4 years, just so happens I moved into my third place as well. First house, I was new to the EV world and had no idea about the charging outlet being required, let alone its installation. Cost me $279 to install directly beneath the breaker box (plenty of space available to accommodate the new circuit; electrician was literally there for 15 mins).

Second place didn't have any spots available in the breaker box, electrician had to move around and switch out several breakers. Cost was $300 again to install (electrician was there for over an hour; we were talking most of the time).

New place has a brand new breaker box, I had/have about 20 spots available for a new circuit. I call around to get quotes and almost all came in at $300.

This time I'm a bit more knowledgeable. This forum and YouTube has actually provided me with a wealth of knowledge. I ask questions about why the installation is so expensive. I'm given the run-around by all of the electricians. I finally ask for a breakdown of parts and labor, only one of the three electricians provide. It says $100 for parts and $200 for labor. I didn't mind so much about the cost for the parts, but I asked about his labor rate. He replies its $75 per hour, but he has to do a lot of running around to find the circuits since they aren't readily available, so he passes that cost on to the customer.

At this point, I did what most other budget conscious consumers do, I went and looked up the parts required. I find the following all readily accessible at my nearest Home Depot (I'm normally a Lowe's guy, but they didn't have them): 50 amp, 2 pole circuit breaker ($25; specific to my panel [found out the hard way, went to install the first one and it didn't fit]); NEMA 14-50 outlet ($8); 6/3 Romex wire (6' X $3 = $18); 2 gang junction box ($3); 3/4 clamp connectors ($5) & 2 gang wall plate ($2).

Yep, a whopping $57 for parts was all that was needed.

I went home to do the install and it took less than an hour. I spent about 75% of my time fighting with this extremely rigid wire. I was a bit hesitant to start, so I was EXTREMELY careful. I plan to make a step-by-step guide for those with space available in their breaker box.

At the end of the day, I understand that electricians are specialized in a trade, most specialists can charge a premium for their services. I'll caveat that comment with the fact that consumers nowadays are more than willing to take on simple projects like these due to the transformation of the digital world and accessibility of "how-to guides."

 

[melburstein]

Three years ago, I was a loyal Tesla supporter and a fool. I hired a Tesla Certified Electrician. They did a beautiful job but I paid over $2,000. Today, I am still a loyal Tesla supporter. but I am not a fool. Installing an outlet to charge your Tesla is a routine $300 job for most qualified electrical contractors.

 

[petecrayton]

This is like asking why a Five Guys hamburger cost 5 bucks when it is comprised of only $1 worth of food. Some folks envious of your ability to purchase multiple Teslas might question how you justify your income.

 

[dgatwood]

I touched a live 240v connection before. While on an aluminum ladder.

Meh. If this is in the U.S., as long as you didn't touch both sides of it at once, it's just like touching a 120V connection.

 

[MIT_S60]

Imagine trying to get quotes for a Powerwall installation for just labor (already have Founder's Series referral award). I gave up since the certified electricians were quoting $9-10k+ for two Powerwalls installation and a 100->200amp panel upgrade (same location for panel, utility company already confirmed the location is fine and they don't need to bring in thicker cables).

 

[westie10019]

Glad you did it yourself. It really isn't a hard thing to do, especially when you are installing the outlet or HPWC next to the panel.

However, any professional...whether it's plumbing or electrician or gardener, has overhead besides the hour. I don't think a minimum of $300 is that bad for an hour's work when you consider he has to get the parts, travel to your location, actually do the work...and most importantly...warranty the work and place his work under the scrutiny of inspectors. Further, s/he needs to pay liability insurance if that circuit catches fire and burns down your house. For a true professional, a minimum job charge of $250-300 isn't terrible.

You are %100 correct. Keep in mind a Licensed Electrician has been thru a 5 year apprentice program in addition to some additional undergradute study. Electricians in NYC attend school 2 nights a week and sometimes Saturday class. When the program has been completed many of the Electricians have either an Associate Degree or Bachler Degree in Electrical Engineering n addition to the practical work experience aquired during the Apprenticeship program. This is true for most area's of the country. Also, the cost of tools, insurance, continued education, wages, benefits. Electrical work is not a hobby, no matter what they tell you at Home Depot! I have witnessed the sad and sometimes tragic result of unlicensed electrical work!

Would you have an unlicensed Dentist work on your teeth?

 

[Dave K9]

I was just quoted $1600 to add the 50 amp breaker and a Nema 14-50 outlet with about a 20-25 foot run from my panel to my driveway.
For $300 I wouldn’t even consider doing it myself. FWIW.

 

[glide]

I was just quoted $1600 to add the 50 amp breaker and a Nema 14-50 outlet with about a 20-25 foot run from my panel to my driveway.
For $300 I wouldn’t even consider doing it myself. FWIW.

That’s pretty outrageous. I paid $300 installed in the Boston area. Try calling around.

 

[drdumont]

I have been doing stuff like this for years, up to 480V 3 phase, and 0000ga and bigger.
I happen to be an Electrical Engineer, designed and built TV facilities for years.
But at the moment had some eye issues, so I figured I would call Milestone Electric
("They'll fix it in a flash" is their jingle) in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area. So two guys
come out, see an old man with a beard, cane, and an eye patch, and figure they have
one on the hook. $1250 to install my 40 amp breaker, run 4 feet of wire to 4x4
box and install my connector, or $2500 to install the Tesla charger adapter and about
10 feet of conduit. "But we can't use your breaker, box or connector, we can't use that
Home Depot c__p". (I bought the stuff from the local electrical supply house
by the way). Then went on about their free full home evaluation, and then the kicker -
"Since this house is about 25 years old, you know you need to replace the panel and
all the breakers. Everybody knows they only last 15-20 years. Now we can do that
after the whole house inspection and - ". He was cut short as I told him to pick up
his gear, put a light coat of oil on it, insert it in the first convenient orifice that came
to hand while looking out for the square corners and getting off my property. I refused to pay
their $special$ $79 estimate visit, the fraudulent S O Bs.
My real estate lady sent her handyman around, $100 cash. Done in an hour.
Later had a beer with a local bonded licensed electrician. He would have charged me $250
and permitted it if I could let him do it when he had a couple of hours on a light day.
200-300 bucks for a licensed electrician's time is not out of bounds. They have expenses to pay,
too.
Not all are ganefs like Milestone.

 

[Alaska-3]

Let me preface my comments by saying that this is a rant thread...

I'm on my third Tesla in 4 years, just so happens I moved into my third place as well. First house, I was new to the EV world and had no idea about the charging outlet being required, let alone its installation. Cost me $279 to install directly beneath the breaker box (plenty of space available to accommodate the new circuit; electrician was literally there for 15 mins).

Second place didn't have any spots available in the breaker box, electrician had to move around and switch out several breakers. Cost was $300 again to install (electrician was there for over an hour; we were talking most of the time).

New place has a brand new breaker box, I had/have about 20 spots available for a new circuit. I call around to get quotes and almost all came in at $300.

This time I'm a bit more knowledgeable. This forum and YouTube has actually provided me with a wealth of knowledge. I ask questions about why the installation is so expensive. I'm given the run-around by all of the electricians. I finally ask for a breakdown of parts and labor, only one of the three electricians provide. It says $100 for parts and $200 for labor. I didn't mind so much about the cost for the parts, but I asked about his labor rate. He replies its $75 per hour, but he has to do a lot of running around to find the circuits since they aren't readily available, so he passes that cost on to the customer.

At this point, I did what most other budget conscious consumers do, I went and looked up the parts required. I find the following all readily accessible at my nearest Home Depot (I'm normally a Lowe's guy, but they didn't have them): 50 amp, 2 pole circuit breaker ($25; specific to my panel [found out the hard way, went to install the first one and it didn't fit]); NEMA 14-50 outlet ($8); 6/3 Romex wire (6' X $3 = $18); 2 gang junction box ($3); 3/4 clamp connectors ($5) & 2 gang wall plate ($2).

Yep, a whopping $57 for parts was all that was needed.

I went home to do the install and it took less than an hour. I spent about 75% of my time fighting with this extremely rigid wire. I was a bit hesitant to start, so I was EXTREMELY careful. I plan to make a step-by-step guide for those with space available in their breaker box.

At the end of the day, I understand that electricians are specialized in a trade, most specialists can charge a premium for their services. I'll caveat that comment with the fact that consumers nowadays are more than willing to take on simple projects like these due to the transformation of the digital world and accessibility of "how-to guides."

First time posting here but have been following with great interest previous posts. Drive a M3 AWD. Just to give an Alaskan feedback on the electrician quote on getting a Juicebox 40 installed at my house. I was quoted 5-6 hours worth of work with me providing all the hardware except the wiring (less than 3 feet) for 100 Amp installation (2 x 50 amps in case I get a second EV) that includes the breakers, the Juicebox 40 and the new in wall electrical panel box and their quote was $850.00. And I let them know that I was going to cut a hole for the new in wall electric panel as well. So $300.00 would be super cheap in my situation but here in Alaska we get all the extras and I wonder if there is not a 'Tesla tax" added as well.

 

[Michelle_eriw]

I have been doing stuff like this for years, up to 480V 3 phase, and 0000ga and bigger.
I happen to be an Electrical Engineer, designed and built TV facilities for years.
But at the moment had some eye issues, so I figured I would call Milestone Electric
("They'll fix it in a flash" is their jingle) in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area. So two guys
come out, see an old man with a beard, cane, and an eye patch, and figure they have
one on the hook. $1250 to install my 40 amp breaker, run 4 feet of wire to 4x4
box and install my connector, or $2500 to install the Tesla charger adapter and about
10 feet of conduit. "But we can't use your breaker, box or connector, we can't use that
Home Depot c__p". (I bought the stuff from the local electrical supply house
by the way). Then went on about their free full home evaluation, and then the kicker -
"Since this house is about 25 years old, you know you need to replace the panel and
all the breakers. Everybody knows they only last 15-20 years. Now we can do that
after the whole house inspection and - ". He was cut short as I told him to pick up
his gear, put a light coat of oil on it, insert it in the first convenient orifice that came
to hand while looking out for the square corners and getting off my property. I refused to pay
their $special$ $79 estimate visit, the fraudulent S O Bs.
My real estate lady sent her handyman around, $100 cash. Done in an hour.
Later had a beer with a local bonded licensed electrician. He would have charged me $250
and permitted it if I could let him do it when he had a couple of hours on a light day.
200-300 bucks for a licensed electrician's time is not out of bounds. They have expenses to pay,
too.
Not all are ganefs like Milestone.

When I had a ChargePoint installed, the electrician put in a 50A breaker and ran about two feet of wiring, installed a 14-50 socket, and hung the ChargePoint all for $150. That was for a PHEV.

To install the wall charger about 10-12 feet from the breaker box, using a 60A breaker, he quoted me $200 max. You're right about not all of them being gonifs.

 

[JPP]

I gave up on buying outlets from Home Depot after I read this thread.

Definitive 14-50 NEMA Outlet Guide

You never want to have this happen. Be careful out there people.

Burnt nema 14-50 plug and breaker tripped

That $8 NEMA 14-50 receptacle is a fire or other event waiting to happen. You might want to carefully read the threads on the best NeMA 14-50 to buy and why. And then go buy one and torque the screws carefully. Good luck.....

 

[Rudedog]

DIY without any permitting and burn your house down ... only the firemen will care!!