3 Phase 600 Amp 240/120 Panel

bhe

Hello all. I am a new contractor working on my first big estimate. I have not been able to find any reference material on pricing the labor on a new service for a 3 phase 240/120, 600 amp panel. This is a new service, need a meter socket, twenty feet of 3 inch rigid, penetration thru a brick wall, using about 30 feet of paralleled copper 350's with the customer supplying the panel. My numbers are coming in around $4500. I am located in central NJ and have lots of additional work included in this potential job.

mdshunk

Meter socket? That would normally be CT metering. Maybe you mean CT can?

jproffer

As far as the work end of it, I don't know if your numbers are on or not.

BUT:

Don't even act (to your clients) like this is an issue to your price, because it shouldn't be. They will pick up on it QUICK.

When I hear that I always say "Great!! Tell ya what, let me get the details and measurements on that project too, and if we can sign both contracts, TODAY, I'll give you 10% off each estimate....sound OK?"

9 out of 10 times its "well...wa...uhh...well we don't have the money for it just yet" ME: "That's OK, we can put an open date on the contract with a provision to add one later." THEM: "Yea....ummm...why don't we just hold off until we're sure we're going to even do it"

Now, I don't care what they say to my "offer", if I'm in the middle of thinking about the REAL job, I may not even totally listen, but it turns it around on them and make's 'em think a little.

__________________
Jim P.

bhe

I know where you are coming from about the pricing. This contract will include everything not just the new service. I feel confident with the pricing I have established for the conduit runs, wire, transformers and terminations. I just want to be accurate on the new service panel costs and dont want to sell myself short. I am very keen on how potential customers promise you the world if you just give them a good price on this one job. Md sorry about my terminology. Learned my trade in the deep south, many things I have learned over the years have different names for the same equipment in different parts of the country. Not always correct though.

mdshunk

No, it's not a terminology issue. It's a totally different piece of equipment. I am unaware of a 600 amp meter can. In services this large, the direct metering is not normally done. Normally, its by CT metering.

I am confused about another thing. You said:
, but eariler you said it was a customer supplied panel. I'm just a little mixed up on what it is you're seeking help with.

bhe

Ok, Like I said in my second post that was the terminology that I was taught with, but not always correct. So MD I concede again, point taken, CT can. I understand that it is not directly metered and I do appreciate your input MD to correct my.... yes, terminology. I am familar with your expertise from Mike Holts code forum and do respect your input and knowledge of the trade.
The customer is supplying the panel I am supplying the ct can, twenty feet of 3 inch rigid, penetration thru a brick wall, and will need about 30 feet of paralleled copper 350's with the customer supplying the panel. I am would like to know what anyone else may charge in the NJ area. I have come up with a cost of about $4500 for material and labor. Please I know to base my rates on overhead, profit, operating costs etc, and these vary by electrical contractor. If any one would like to add what they might charge for a job like this,I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all in advance.

RobertWilber

Means was talking $8k in 2003, without the panel ...

MSSI

Central Jersey ?? I would probably be closer to $5800....I know outfits charging $3800 for a 200A residential service in that area..

mdshunk

I'd be at about $6420 in central PA

bhe

Thanks so much everyone, before seeing your posts I had readjusted my price to $4969 but looking at others input it is still considerably too low. I will recalculate again. I am finding out that I am still undervalueing my work, but forums such as this are helping me. Thank you all again for your inputs.

Sparky Joe

How about, figure your costs and your time and your profit, then submit your bid?

instead of 4969, why not 4970, or even 5k?

Or is the whole 'used car salesman' approach? "I'll sell any car for 4969.99"