You can always add a sub-panel if you run out of room. PIA after the fact, but it sounds like you're ok at this point.

There can't be $10 difference in the price of the panels....why go 150 when electric usage and gizmos are going nowhere but up...

 

The difference on the cost of the 2 are minimal. I would offer to pay the difference and get the 200 amp., that way if you choose to use a heat pump, electric dryer or water heater down the road you will have the capicity. (who knows what the gas prices may do)

 

I offered to pay the difference between Ash and Maple for the kitchen cabinets and they wouldn't let me. Strange customer service.

 

Definately go with the 200 amp and if at all possible, specify Square D.
Who knows what no name panel / breakers you will get that in 15-20 years will not be able to get replacement breakers for because "they don't make this style anymore"
Been there and done that.

 

IMO, the contractor is being a real POS for cutting a corner as petty as this one. I hope he rejoyces in making a small killing doing this on 100 houses, since that's more than likely what his intent is. $20 X 100 houses = $2,000 saved and maybe only 3% of the homeowners are smart enough to catch this petty crap early on. If the contractor pulls this stunt, what other corners is he cutting??????? 20 year shingles? 3" sewage pipe? Thin concrete? Crappy framing lumber? Cut rate windows? The list is just endless.

 

You're right Cowboy. I do inspect the house at least twice a week and find most of the quality to be very good. I collect things such as labels and packaging to verify quality. Some of this minor crap just pisses me off since they aren't willing to change at any price. This seems to be the worst "problem" I have found so far.

 

A few more things to ponder. The jump from a 150 to 200 amp service will be more than any $10.00 dollars. The price increase will be due to the larger copper conductors($$$$) needed for the additional 50 amp capacity increase, the larger size service entrance conduit, the cost of the breaker box , so on ...


A few things can be happening for a builder that is "tract" building custom homes, for the builder to not readily accept TOO many change orders from his normal building routine...

One. The new owner may be at the "peak" of their mortage credit line and if the total cost of the home exceeds a certain number because of the cost of the add ons, the mortage company can re-think the stability of credit for the loan amount the applicant has applied for.

Two. The builder has found a "comfort zone" in the particular price range homes he is selling, for the location they are being sold in. If the home buyer keeps purchasing "addons" it will drive the final selling price of the home upward, putting his homes above the price range people are willing to pay for them in that location. It is hard to justify to mortage companies why his last home sold for 200K and the one beside it that looks just like it with the same square footage, went for 150K. Therefore , he needs to stay in a price range.

Three. Allowing the prospective buyer to keep adding on too many personal options, makes the construction of the home more complicated. The subcontractors have supply houses that are all equipped with stock inventory items, that they put in to these homes like cookie cutters, one after the others....

All the subs have a timeline to meet from house to house. A builders livelyhood depends on the timelines being met and closings being on schedule. Few people realize the massive coordination of schedulings it takes to get a home finished and closed , on time. All the subs are in the home at the same time the last few days before closing trying to button up loose ends. Hectic to say the least. ..

When prospective buyers start adding different cabinets, plumbing fixtures, specal order light fixtures, etc, the subs are slowed down, the jobs get to complicated in getting the special orders material in and installed , in time for closing. If a builder that is building custom "tract" homes get caught up in that heyday, he might as well stop building fast production "custom" homes, and start taking one home at a time and build them as a true "custom" home. Few builders have the financial standing and cash on hand to carry them thru the slower times, to make a living building only true customs. all jmo

 

We built our own home 2 years ago.....the problem is as stated in paragraph 1 of the above post.

The service (wire size)coming in to the panel has already been determined.

When we built, we basically told Nevada Power what we were running and they brought the CIC in from the transformer to the service after I dug and sanded the trench....I actually ended up with 1 400 amp metered panel and a 200 amp metered panel witch I used to run the sub panel in the garage.


At the very least, see if you have enough room in that panel to install a 100 amp lug to run a sub panel to your garage and run counduits now for the pool etc.

 

I agree with Greg. The builder guarantees the supplier that he will purchase so many units of something. Inturn he gets a better price and is locked into that price.
As far as changing a 150 amp to a 200 amp. Depending on how far the run is from the pole to the house. It could cost thousands not 10 or 20 dol. Copper is at an all time high right now. I just paid $10 for one 1 inch male adapter for a plumbing job im doing.
Six months ago that same fitting was $4.00.