$2,300 to replace two electric meters in Duplex?

Question

Hi,

First time needing to hire an electrician. I have one bad meter and was explained to me that my meters are antiquated and setup different then they are setup these days so both need replaced.

$2,300 fair? Any recommendations?

James Wise · Answer

Price seems fine. You get a lot of people on BP that say "it's too high" anytime a thread like this pops up. Thing is, they don't ever have experience in the work or even a resource for you to get it done cheaper lol...

Steven Dragmen · Answer

The quote is fine, with the old style meters here in Cleveland the meter base and the mast need to be replaced.  This is what the quote states.  The power company should run a new feed from the pole and install the new meters.  Obviously this needs to be completed with City permits

Gino Tomba · Answer

This is the Cleveland Real Estate Forum, sir. But thanks though

Joshua D. · Answer

@Gino Tomba

I just paid $1800 to update my 2 meter box last fall in a low cost of living area.

Those boxes as well as wiring prices have gone up significantly since then.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

You are asking a national real estate forum if your local price is too high. Labor, material rates and even code/permits are different in each state and even some cities. People saying "it is free here" is of no use, because it is not free where you live.

Getting the best price on anything comes down to getting competitive bids. Get at least three bids and that will tell you if the price is good or not.

I work for a company that makes meters and our inventory is ridiculously low. Prices are going up on everything electrical. That means even if someone paid $2000 last year, the fair price may be $2300 this year. The only way to know is to get multiple bids.

One final thought, if they are running new electrical service, you may want to consider upgrading service to 200 amp. See what the price difference is, but looking forward we will only be consuming more electricity.

Kenny Szymanski · Answer

@Gino Tomba

That’s not too bad of a price.

Consider this:

Usually the homeowner is responsible from meter to utility connection point.

The electrician will have to run a new meter channel and wire to the connection point and coordinate with the power company to get it switched to the new line.

Make sure the wire going in is slightly bigger than What you have, if you have 100 amp services, get wire rated for 150amp services.

Are they changing out breaker boxes? Wire from breaker box to meter channel?

Are they installing a siding block, mounting block on the house that’s waterproofed so water doesn’t run down the into your breaker box, behind siding and rot the substrate?

Location and siding work on the exterior or the home, sometimes they install the new meter and leave the old in place while waiting for the power company to connect the new lines.

Michael Plante · Answer

I would do 3 Things

call the power company and tell them what you just posted above and ask themget referrals from your local Facebook group for good electrocutions

Call 2 amd have them diagnose the problem a d give you a quote

Michael Plante · Answer

From my experience the meter is installed by the electric company

Arlan Potter · Answer

In Oklahoma the meter belongs to the utility company.

They provide the meter and the meter base. Free

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Gino Tomba

When I got this quoted in cleveland it was more, and that was several years ago.

This seems fair to me.

$2,300 to replace two electric meters in Duplex?

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