Need help in evaluating quote

[Mitesh Patel]

Hello,

An emergency electrical issue affected the plumbing lines too, and I am quoted the below price for repairs. I am waiting for more details on the actual problem, but this quote seems really high. I need some help in assessing if this quote is fair for the items listed in the pic. The property is in Cleveland area. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

[Melanie P.]

Do you mean that an emergency plumbing issue affected the electrical lines? The way you wrote it is hard to envision. 

Did you make a claim with your property insurance? Some policies cover plumbing and electrical issues depending on the service report. 

[Mitesh Patel]

@Melanie P. thank you for replying. The ground wire from the electrical box got loose and came in contact with the water pipe to the house so it was a hazardous situation. Since the meter box was a 60amp box, they have to bring it up to 100amps according to the code. I will contact the insurance tomorrow, thank you for the idea. 

[Regina Blake]

Hi, I would definitely contact your insurance company and get a quote from different plumbing companies you always want to get estimates from different companies for all your real estate needs. Best Wishes!

[Matthew Paul]

That quote sounds around where it should be .  If the house still has 60 amp service that tells me its old , so the water line is probaly old .  Sounds like this should have been addressed years ago . 

[Chris Seveney]

Quote from @Mitesh Patel:

Hello,

An emergency electrical issue affected the plumbing lines too, and I am quoted the below price for repairs. I am waiting for more details on the actual problem, but this quote seems really high. I need some help in assessing if this quote is fair for the items listed in the pic. The property is in Cleveland area. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

 I do not think that is a bad quote (of course this is coming from the person getting $5k-$7k quotes to replace a tankless hot water heater...). 

I would look into getting several quotes. Make sure whoever you use is licensed and insured. 

Lastly regarding insurance, what is your deductible? if its $5k then its not worth contacting them. 

[Bob Stevens]

Quote from @Mitesh Patel:

Hello,

An emergency electrical issue affected the plumbing lines too, and I am quoted the below price for repairs. I am waiting for more details on the actual problem, but this quote seems really high. I need some help in assessing if this quote is fair for the items listed in the pic. The property is in Cleveland area. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

 GROSSLY overpriced, 1000% rip off. I have plenty of guys happy to help you 

1500 to " demo" the current box, WTH does that even mean. 700 to " pump meter vault, crazy  ,Again, WAY overpriced, 

[Michael Norris]

$5200 for a whole new electrical panel, outside meter, new supply line to the pole isn't out of line at all with the inclusion of the potential can of worms they could open up with the galvanized water line repair. 

(I'm not an electrician so I rely on others for this info) I'd ask the electrician to look at the appliances in your unit to make sure the electrical supplies from the new box to the unit will be safe. Modern appliances can pull a LOT of juice and now that you have more coming in the panel you don't want to have other electrical gremlins popping up. Also it's a good time to look around to see if the tenants have a bunch of stuff plugged into an extension cord somewhere in the house - new service, old wiring, and multiple devices on an extension cord pulling juice from knob and tube wiring is no bueno.

Do not call your insurance company about the repair!

Insurance is for catastrophes not maintenance - if there isn't a "sudden and accidental event" you can point to as the cause for needing the repair then insurance does not apply

Can we assume you have all galvanized pipes in the house?

If so... GROSS - you may have never seen the inside of a galvanized water pipe before so it's not your fault neccessarily.

Go meet the plumber when they pull that water line apart and look inside the pipe at the sludge that runs out of it and how packed with sediment and who knows what else inside that pipe. Your tenants and their kids are drinking that water - if you won't drink it neither should they.

I'm not trying to be up on a high horse - I didn't know how bad the were until I saw one being repaired... no stop rip all that stuff out.

[Alan Asriants]

That honestly doesn't sound too bad I'm sure maybe if you asked around you can find someone who can do it for slightly cheaper but if they have a good reputation and I would go for someone who would do a better job. 

Also, for people claiming insurance here, I would strongly suggest against it unless you cannot come up with the funds to pay for this repair. Reason being for it is that insurance companies are getting tighter and tighter, and having a claim on your home can prevent you from getting further policies in the future and subject to much higher rates. 

Sucks how insurance works, but usually better for worst case scenarios. 

[Melanie P.]

Quote from @Mitesh Patel:

@Melanie P. thank you for replying. The ground wire from the electrical box got loose and came in contact with the water pipe to the house so it was a hazardous situation. Since the meter box was a 60amp box, they have to bring it up to 100amps according to the code. I will contact the insurance tomorrow, thank you for the idea. 

This now sounds like wear and tear that won't be covered by insurance. If you proceed with upgrading the panel add enough capacity to charge an electric car and put in baseboard heaters so you wont' have to do this again if you decide to add either of those options down the road.