When your home’s main service panel is maxed out, adding an electrical sub panel is the safest way to expand capacity for EV chargers, kitchen remodels, or a future ADU. But how much should homeowners in the San Diego region budget? CountBricks dives deep into every cost component so you never face sticker shock.
Our AI-powered platform listens to your conversation, converts it into tasks and material lists in real time, and instantly generates an itemized estimate. Because we import live pricing from local suppliers, your projected cost to install electrical sub panel reflects today’s market—down to the last box of wire staples.
• Small sub panel (40–60 amps) in a garage: $1,200 – $2,000
• Mid-size panel (70–100 amps) with limited drywall work: $2,000 – $3,500
• Large upgrade (125–200 amps) including trenching or service relocation: $3,500 – $6,500
These figures include labor, permitting, materials, and a basic patch-and-paint. Add-ons such as arc-fault breakers, surge protection, or luxury finish work will push costs higher. Use CountBricks.com/services to run instant what-if scenarios and see the impact of each upgrade.
1. Amperage Rating: Higher amperage panels cost more and often demand larger feeder conductors.
2. Feeder Distance: Long runs of copper THHN wire quickly inflate materials.
3. Location & Accessibility: Installing in finished spaces adds demolition, disposal, and patchback hours.
4. Service Upgrades: Utility coordination or meter socket changes compound expenses.
5. Permit & Inspection Fees: Each municipality sets its own schedule—CountBricks updates fees weekly.
From a quick phone call to a signed proposal, our four-step process brings unmatched clarity.
1. Voice Discovery: Speak your goals; our AI extracts scope, room counts, and code requirements.
2. Instant Takeoff: Upload a photo of your existing panel—CountBricks detects slot counts and breaker ratings with blueprint-quality accuracy.
3. Live Pricing Sync: Material SKUs pull directly from partnered San Diego suppliers every hour.
4. Digital Proposal: Receive a branded PDF with labor breakdowns, timelines, and optional upgrades in minutes.
• Utility disconnect coordination fees
• Grounding and bonding upgrades to meet 2023 CEC
• Smoke detector tie-ins required by local inspection
• Drywall repair and paint matching allowances
Because CountBricks models these items automatically, homeowners avoid mid-project change orders.
Most San Diego panel installations break down to roughly 60 % labor and 40 % materials. Journeyman electricians bill between $90 and $130 per hour. CountBricks benchmarks wage data weekly, so your estimate mirrors current trade rates.
• 100-amp 20-slot load center: $140 – $220
• #3 AWG copper feeder (50 ft): $320 – $380
• Two-pole 100-amp breaker: $45 – $70
• Assorted breakers (6): $90 – $150
• Ground bar kit & lug kit: $25 – $40
• EMT conduit, straps, connectors: $60 – $90
• Fasteners, fire caulk, labels: $25 – $40
Total materials: $700 – $990
A straightforward sub panel addition typically spans three days:
1. Day 1 – Rough-in wiring, panel mounting, utility coordination
2. Day 2 – Inspection, drywall repair, and first paint coat
3. Day 3 – Final connections, touch-up, clean-up, homeowner walkthrough
CountBricks updates the daily gantt chart inside your client dashboard so you always know who is on site and why.
• Schedule during off-peak electrician demand (late fall or early winter)
• Bundle other electrical work—new circuits cost less when run concurrently
• Consider copper-clad aluminum feeder where code allows
• Provide clear access to the work area to reduce labor hours
• Approve finishes and paint colors before demo begins
Utility-approved panel upgrades may qualify for local rebates or solar-readiness incentives. CountBricks pre-loads eligible programs into your proposal and shows payback timelines. Homeowners who add EV outlets and solar PV within two years often see complete ROI on their panel upgrade via reduced installation redundancy.
If you want an exact cost to install electrical sub panel for your property, start a voice session at CountBricks.com/consultation. In under ten minutes you’ll receive a line-item estimate backed by on-site verification from our licensed residential crew. No guesswork—just data-driven confidence.
A coastal homeowner contacted CountBricks to add a 125-amp sub panel for a garage EV charger and future beach-rental ADU.
• Relocate outdated 60-amp sub panel to interior garage wall
• Install 125-amp copper feeder through 35-ft attic run
• Add 50-amp circuit for Level-2 charger and 5 spare circuits
• Patch stucco and repaint exterior service mast area
• AI estimate: $4,280 (generated in 6 minutes)
• Approved change orders: $0
• Final invoice: $4,260 (0.5 % under estimate)
The homeowner saved $600 by bundling attic lighting upgrades flagged as an optional line item in the original proposal.
1. Rapid Takeoff: Our blueprint engine auto-captured feeder length from a smartphone photo.
2. Supplier Sync: Copper prices spiked mid-project, but CountBricks locked in material quotes on day one.
3. Transparent Dashboard: Daily progress photos and inspector approvals were posted in real time, eliminating surprises.
“CountBricks delivered exactly what they promised—no hidden fees, no delays. The AI estimate was spot-on and the crew was professional.” – M. Torres, Del Mar
Schedule a free voice consultation at CountBricks.com/consultation. Whether you’re eyeing solar, an ADU, or a full service upgrade, our platform reveals the precise cost to install electrical sub panel before a single tool is lifted.
