Hot tub install

[NavyDoc8425]

Hello All,
Reaching out to knowledgeable electricians out there. I will be placing a hot tub on the back patio and have gotten a couple mixed estimates. Long story short first guy stated no need to upgrade to 200amp service and second guy said need to upgrade to 200 amp service. First estimate to add a 240v 50amp circuit for hot tub was $1600, second one was for $3900 (new panel 200amp and add circuit). Is a pic of the panel enough to say if the second guy is just trying to upsell me?

 

[Afjes]

The only true way to know if you will require an upgrade from 100amp service to 200amp service is to do a "load calculation".
For us to visually look at your panel and tell you "for sure" one way or the other would not be a benefit to you nor answer your question. Any electrician would do a load calculation to be sure unless it was so obvious to us electricians that an upgrade would not be necessary.

I myself have been on a few calls requesting an upgrade to their service because they wanted to have a hot tub installed. I performed as load calculation and told them an upgrade was not necessary based on their present load demands.

I don't see a circuit for a range/stove. Assuming yours would be gas?

If I were to just look at your panel (normally just adding breakers up does not give you a true representation of your present demand) I would say it is questionable/borderline as to if you do need an upgrade. This again is why a load calculation would be performed.

There are many online that you can use. We can't do it because many of the devices/appliances require specific information that you can find on these items such as on nameplates etc where it lists amps, volts, watts etc which is the information needed to do a load calculation properly and accurately.

Do you know if either electrician that you mentioned actually performed a load calculation and if they did can you post the final findings of it here.

Again, your panel/service may be borderline/iffy as to whether an upgrade would be necessary for the hot tub install.

Also, confirm that this panel is the only one in your house. No disconnects at the meter where there may be breakers present in the disconnect.

Sorry that I can't give you a defined "yes" or "no" on this.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Fitter30]

You have one spare place with two tandem breakers it would open up another slot. GFIC circuit breaker is needed for a hot tub.

 

[Afjes]

At this point fitter30 , @NavyDoc8425 does not even know for sure if they need an upgrade on the service yet.
A tandem can only be used in the panel if the panel is rated for tandems. But first best to see if an upgrade in service from 100 to 200amp is required.

 

[NavyDoc8425]

Thanks for the replies. One of the two electricians that stated I needed upgrade claimed to have done a load calculation. The other did his assessment via information I provided and pic of my panel via text. The last electrician that looked at my setup did a load calculation and stated that I was at 50% of my load and that a 200amp upgrade would not be necessary. He did state that I would need a different panel because my panel wasn’t able to use mini breakers and that combining 2 breakers into one was not recommended. He also said that he can run the feeder through the attic saving me the cost of conduit/wire and labor cost. I’ve since accepted his proposal to get the job done for $2800. I chose him because he seemed honest, upfront and trustworthy. He addressed all my concerns/questions and spent the time in explaining his answers based on the NEC codes. The others were short in response and seemed in a hurry. Only time will tell if I chose correctly.

 

[NavyDoc8425]

The only true way to know if you will require an upgrade from 100amp service to 200amp service is to do a "load calculation".
For us to visually look at your panel and tell you "for sure" one way or the other would not be a benefit to you nor answer your question. Any electrician would do a load calculation to be sure unless it was so obvious to us electricians that an upgrade would not be necessary.

I myself have been on a few calls requesting an upgrade to their service because they wanted to have a hot tub installed. I performed as load calculation and told them an upgrade was not necessary based on their present load demands.

I don't see a circuit for a range/stove. Assuming yours would be gas?

If I were to just look at your panel (normally just adding breakers up does not give you a true representation of your present demand) I would say it is questionable/borderline as to if you do need an upgrade. This again is why a load calculation would be performed.

There are many online that you can use. We can't do it because many of the devices/appliances require specific information that you can find on these items such as on nameplates etc where it lists amps, volts, watts etc which is the information needed to do a load calculation properly and accurately.

Do you know if either electrician that you mentioned actually performed a load calculation and if they did can you post the final findings of it here.

Again, your panel/service may be borderline/iffy as to whether an upgrade would be necessary for the hot tub install.

Also, confirm that this panel is the only one in your house. No disconnects at the meter where there may be breakers present in the disconnect.

Sorry that I can't give you a defined "yes" or "no" on this.

My stove is gas. No other panels in my house. Had another electrician come out for an estimate and decided on him. I put an explanation further down the post if your curious as to why I chose him. Thank you for your response.

 

[Afjes]

I chose him because he seemed honest, upfront and trustworthy. He addressed all my concerns/questions and spent the time in explaining his answers based on the NEC codes. The others were short in response and seemed in a hurry. Only time will tell if I chose correctly.

Excellent! This is the way I submitted proposals on jobs. I did not just hand a potential customer an estimate and walk away. I always took the time to walk with the customer and explain what had to be done for the project for both safety and code reasons-educating the customer. I obtained a very large reno job doing this. Also, this same reno job gained me a place at the customer's family business as a business consultant which was perfect timing due to the fact of my physical disability that came up on me suddenly forcing me to retire as an electrician.

Please be sure to come back after the job is complete and let us know how it went.

If you have any further concerns just ask.

 

[NavyDoc8425]

Excellent! This is the way I submitted proposals on jobs. I did not just hand a potential customer an estimate and walk away. I always took the time to walk with the customer and explain what had to be done for the project for both safety and code reasons-educating the customer. I obtained a very large reno job doing this. Also, this same reno job gained me a place at the customer's family business as a business consultant which was perfect timing due to the fact of my physical disability that came up on me suddenly forcing me to retire as an electrician.

Please be sure to come back after the job is complete and let us know how it went.

If you have any further concerns just ask.

I sure will. I’m confident that the work will be done properly.