[rpoz-29]

I want to relocate my welder, and compressor to my detached garage. I had an electrician give me a price, and I just wanted to see if it seems reasonable. The garage is about 75 feet from the house. He's going to supply all the parts, (wire, outlets, junction boxes, breakers, etc. for a 60 amp service), for around $800.00. He said that the cost of wire has sky-rocketed,(and I don't doubt it with the prices I've seen for scrap metal), but does his price seem reasonable? Thanks!

[z28tt]

That's an awesome deal... When I moved into my new (1960's) cape, the garage had a single receptacle. I ended up wiring a 50A sub panel, 14 receptacles (1st in each circuit a GFCI, protecting the next ones), 3 dual 8' HO fluorescent cold weather light fixtures, a ceiling fan, and 240V for the welder/plasma/lathe and 5hp air compressor. Doing all the work myself, I've probably got a good 20-40 hours into it, and the copper isn't cheap. It's not much more expensive to do larger service than you need right now, and will give room for future expansion. That being said, I've never tripped the 50A breaker with the plasma and air compressor going at the same time, 700W lights on, and 1500W halogen light tower (and computer/TV/stero). If you might have 3 phase tools in the future, you might want to have him wire an 240V extra circuit and disconnect for a phase converter. Also, if going for a big air compressor, a mag starter switch might be necessary. Think of possible future circuits, and leave enough room in the breaker box to accomodate them.