I had to find a competent electrician for my very elderly in-laws because they have **no clue** know how to use the internet and refuse any offers of instruction ![:oops:]( "D'oh")
I went over there to meet the electrician to deal with it and hear what he had to say. They are very highly rated on Yelp (for watever that's worth) with nearly all five stars of about 250 reviews.
The guy they sent out seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy. He took his time explaining everything and checking everything. Turns out, in-laws have no current issues except for an old panel that is a known fire danger. After looking up the info on the panel (Zinsco or something like that), I see what he is talking about. The in-laws want it replaced right away.
He quoted them about $4500, but (there is always a bad but), apparently the panel was moved from its original location many many years ago and they likely will need to rip stucco off the wall to try and find it and look at THOSE connections. Then the inspector, then permits. Then, well, these other parts will almost certainly not be compatible with the new panel (We always recommend replacing those anyway), and these other things will need to be upgraded. Then, if you're going to do all that, you REALLY should replace these things, because they will fail and it will be really hard to get to them later. Then, you will need to modify some of your plumbing, then, then, then, then, then...$$$$$$$$$$
My in-laws do not have a lot of liquidity now, and there was supposedly a SoCal Edison program to help pay for this, but they will not meet the income requirements (too much income), and, it is also supposedly only for upgrading your thing for an electric car charger. I'm not sure why/how someone earning so little money is going to go out and buy an electric car, but, that's another story I guess.
Anyway, my wife and I may have to help them out a bit here when the costs start spiralling out of control. Fun.
Any advice on what to ask about/discuss with the electrician prior to a new panel replacement?
Anything we should request in terms of parts?
Is this going to become an endless money pit?
If the SoCal Edison idea falls through (likely), are there any other grants/loans for elderly homeowners to upgrade things (They are in SoCal)?
Thanks for any insights.
I went over there to meet the electrician to deal with it and hear what he had to say. They are very highly rated on Yelp (for watever that's worth) with nearly all five stars of about 250 reviews. The guy they sent out seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy. He took his time explaining everything and checking everything. Turns out, in-laws have no current issues except for an old panel that is a known fire danger. After looking up the info on the panel (Zinsco or something like that), I see what he is talking about. The in-laws want it replaced right away.
He quoted them about $4500, but (there is always a bad but), apparently the panel was moved from its original location many many years ago and they likely will need to rip stucco off the wall to try and find it and look at THOSE connections. Then the inspector, then permits. Then, well, these other parts will almost certainly not be compatible with the new panel (We always recommend replacing those anyway), and these other things will need to be upgraded. Then, if you're going to do all that, you REALLY should replace these things, because they will fail and it will be really hard to get to them later. Then, you will need to modify some of your plumbing, then, then, then, then, then...$$$$$$$$$$
My in-laws do not have a lot of liquidity now, and there was supposedly a SoCal Edison program to help pay for this, but they will not meet the income requirements (too much income), and, it is also supposedly only for upgrading your thing for an electric car charger. I'm not sure why/how someone earning so little money is going to go out and buy an electric car, but, that's another story I guess.
Anyway, my wife and I may have to help them out a bit here when the costs start spiralling out of control. Fun.
Any advice on what to ask about/discuss with the electrician prior to a new panel replacement?
Anything we should request in terms of parts?
Is this going to become an endless money pit?
If the SoCal Edison idea falls through (likely), are there any other grants/loans for elderly homeowners to upgrade things (They are in SoCal)?
Thanks for any insights.
Statistics: Posted by A. L. Breguet — Thu Oct 30, 2025 10:01 pm — Replies 0 — Views 48