Curcuit Breaker Box

[pjponb]

I am building a new 2300 SF colonial. The rough electrical installation is set to start on 7/6/04. Our builder subs out this work to one company and we inspected his work at other homes and found it to be marginal. Based on a visit to a neighbor's home built by our builder (and electrician) by me and my very knowlegdable brother in law we thought a breaker box with 40 slots would be better suited. The "base" includes a 30 slot box. We thought the larger box would enable us to break down the wiring room by room and allow for expansion down the road - We plan on finishing the basement in a few years. Is this a waste of money (because we will be upcharged for this work)? Just looking for some advice - Pete

[roger g]

I agree with you. You know in your own mind what you might need in extra circuits in the future. The small extra cost now is insignificant compared to later if you need a bigger box. The labour to instal the big box is the same as a small one and you are not buying the extra breakers until you need them.

roger

[Rich]

I would also suggest putting the larger box in. One thing I hate is when you go into a home to remodel or change something and there is a small box with no room for expansion or they put exterior outlets and the garage on the same circuit. Or the basement and garage :shock: It's like they think nobody ever uses their garage for power tools. I would even suggest putting a sub-panel in the garage with 100amp service (60amp minimum).

[LiDD]

I am building a new 2300 SF colonial. The rough electrical installation is set to start on 7/6/04. Our builder subs out this work to one company and we inspected his work at other homes and found it to be marginal. Based on a visit to a neighbor's home built by our builder (and electrician) by me and my very knowlegdable brother in law we thought a breaker box with 40 slots would be better suited. The "base" includes a 30 slot box. We thought the larger box would enable us to break down the wiring room by room and allow for expansion down the road - We plan on finishing the basement in a few years. Is this a waste of money (because we will be upcharged for this work)? Just looking for some advice - Pete

Are YOU building this home, or are you buying this home offered by the builder? If the answer is the latter, now is the time to ask for upgrades that are important to you. Most builders (who remain in business) build to spec and to code. Of course it would be better for a homeowner if you had more circuit spaces, a subpanel in the garage (for the 1 out of 50 homeowners who might utilize it) more heating zones, closer outlets, more 3-way switches, tall peaked roofs with finishable space, 9' basements and flush I-beams. But all these cost more than standard construction and aren't going to be provided without some incentive.