Advice on home rewire? Details and estimates included. electricians

I've got a 1949 1600ft² 3bed/2bath home in Louisiana. It's a single story house on about 2' pillars, and I think all of the outlets are currently wired from underneath, while everything else is through the attic. Currently has 100 amp service. Stove, water heater, central heater, and dryer are all gas with no plans to ever switch to electric.

My complaints:

most outlets are not grounded, bathrooms have no outlets, want more outlets in other rooms, want outlet outside, and add a vent in the master bath. I pretty much figured my only option is a complete rewire.

Biggest problem:

The breaker panel is currently located in a laundry closet. The best place to move it so it will be up to code is outside.

The 3 estimates:

1. The first electrician wasn't very professional, didn't take any notes, and emailed me the below estimate. I replied with some questions (warranty, license, permits, etc.) and never got a response. He also believed that the inspector would be okay with him putting a new breaker panel on the side of the old one (still technically in the "closet" but it would kinda have 3' clearance).

   • Rewire home with new wiring and outlets -- installing extra outlets and switches where needed in all rooms.
   • Wire in GFCI outlets in Kitchen and Bathrooms and Front outside
   • Install 2 new counter top circuits in Kitchen; Add circuit for Dishwasher; Microwave & Fridge
   • Supply & Install 2 Heater Vent Lights and switches in each bathroom; each on a circuit
   • Install new 32-40 circuit breaker panel next to existing panel or in a desired location in home
   • Existing panel will stay in place to feed new panel as circuits are transferred over
   • Install new circuits for washer and dryer
   • Electrical Service to remain -- it is adequate because home is mostly gas appliances
   • $8,000.00

2. The second electrician took a lot of notes, asked a lot of questions, said that bathroom vents are required by code (first and only time I'd heard that). He also said that since we have to put a new breaker panel anyway, it would only be about $500 more to upgrade it to 200 amp. Below is his estimate.

   We will remove the existing meter base and riser on the exterior of the home disconnecting all wiring from overhead. Once all wiring is disconnected, we will remove the existing main breaker panel from inside the home. After the breakers and wiring are removed, we will purchase and install a new 200amp meter base and riser. The new meter base and riser will be fed with wiring rated for a 200amp service. We will install a new weather-head, porcelain point-of-attachment, and grounding system. The grounding system will include one 8’ ground rod, a #4 bare copper conductor, and a grounding bridge. We will install a new 200amp main breaker panel with all new breakers next to the new meter base and riser. This new panel will feed circuits throughout the home. We will extend circuits to feed all wiring devices throughout the home. We will bring all room outlets up to code required amount. In both the office and bedroom #2 we will add one additional outlet. In the living room we will add two new outlets. And in the game room we will add one outlet on the column next to the brick wall. In the bathrooms we will run a circuit to each for a GFCI outlet and a vent/light that we will purchase and install. In the kitchen we will run wiring to feed two GFCI kitchen counter top circuits, a microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, and a stove. During the rewire, we will remove all light fixtures. At that time, if client has new fixtures that they wish to have installed to replace the old fixtures, we require that they be labeled for location and on jobsite at time of work being performed. All receptacles will be tamper resistant and we will use copper-grounded wiring to feed all circuits throughout the home. Within 3’ of the front and back entry way we will install exterior receptacles that will be GFCI protected and will be protected by a weather-proof cover. Under the carport below the window, we will install an exterior outlet that will be GFCI protected. On the back of the home, we will remove the existing single-bulb flood fixture and we will purchase and install a new double-flood fixture with photo/motion sensor. At the attic access, we will install a switch and receptacle. The switch will control a light fixture in the attic, which is required by code. All work will be done according to NEC standards and will be warrantied for two years. Electrical breakers and panel will be warrantied for five years. We will pull permits necessary and schedule all inspections.

   • $2,381.74 -- 200 Amp overhead/underground includes M/B panel, breakers, meter base, grounding, riser.
   • $12,317.09 -- Whole home rewire per description

3. The third electrician walked around and took notes on what he saw but didn't ask too many questions. I had to tell him I wanted to add a bathroom vent. Here's his estimate.

   Estimate to rewire house. Will rewire all switches, receptacles, and lights. Will not replace light fixtures unless provided by customer. Will upgrade service to 200amp, add vent light in back bathroom, upgrade floodlight in back (vendor provided), add necessary receptacles for code. If any unforseen problems arise due to existing electrical not up to code or malfunctioning parts, additional charges may be added.

   • $9,600.00

Summary:

If you've read this far THANK YOU! I'm not gonna use #1 because he hasn't responded to my multiple emails and voicemail. #2 is much more expensive than I expected. I was really hoping to end up in the $8-10,000 range. So #3 looks like a solid choice, but I'm worried his description of the work is too vague and they will use that to up the price on me once the work starts. I'm interested to hear your opinions on the prices and details. Could I save money by upgrading to 150 amp instead of 200? Also, what questions would you follow up with? I do plan to make sure he's licensed and insured of course. I'm also curious if he will be acquiring the permits and scheduling the inspections and what the warranty is on the work. Any other info I should be getting from him?

Submitted March 09, 2016 at 05:04AM by 446172656E http://ift.tt/1Sy4OsY electricians