[HOUSE]

I Am Having A Home Built That Is 3800 Square Feet. The Home Will Have 2 Furnaces, 2 Air Conditioners, 2 Refrigirators, And A Deep Freeze. All Other Appliances Will Be Gas. I Have Voiced Concerns About The Availability Of Unused Circuits On The 200 Amp Panel To Be Able To Finish The Basement In The Future. The Builder Is Informing That 3 Circuits Will Be Plenty To Finish The Basement. The Basement Will Have A Full Bathroom An Additional Bedroom And An Ample Amount Of Can Lights And Outlets. Seems To Few?

He Has Offered Me 400 Amp Service At A Charge Of $1400.00. Is This In The Price Range?

Is Possible To Have The Electric Company Run A 100 Amp Line To The House IN ADDITION TO THE 200 AMP LINE ALREADY BEING INSTALLED?

[tkrussell]

I don't think three circuits is enough for a finished basement, with all the appliances, computers, and toys available. Sounds like he is basing 3 circuits on the minimum of code, which is fine, but nothing wrong with exceeding the code requirements.

Without knowing all the specific details of the service, such as the bill of materials, types of materials, and the market location, difficult to comment with any accuracy to the charge of $1400.00 for a 400 amp service, but it does sound reasonable. With a 400 amp service, you can have two 200 amp 42 circuit loadcenters in the home located strategically to keep branch circuit lengths to a minimum.

I see what your thinking about the 200 amp and 100 amp services, not really practical, and the only way a utility and the local code office will allow two separate services of the same system will be if you have each service metered separately.

Even then, the utility will only want to furnish one service entrance feeder, either overhead or underground, and then split and feed two meters at the home.

If this is what you mean, or want, be aware that each meter is subject to a minimum monthly service charge or fee. Paying more money now upfront installation costs will save the monthly fee from now until whenever.

Consult with local code and the utility to see what your options are. Is anyone doing accurate load calculations to size the service?