Asked on Feb 08, 2015

We think our breaker box could use some work, is this expensive?

Loralie Ball
by Loralie Ball
A whole batch of lights and outlets in one area of the house won't work. Please tell me we don't need extensive wiring work!!!!
  8 answers
  • Prices vary around the country but the average 200 amp panel with new electrical wire drop from the roof down runs around $1,400 in our area. That is a 20 circuit panel The concern I have with your home is if the breaker has not tripped that a short has occurred somewhere in one of the boxes. Have a professional evaluate this quickly and correct this short for your safety. This is why its very important that any electrical wiring be performed inside approved boxes with covers installed and never buried inside of walls where electrical contractors cannot find them. One of the biggest mistakes that DIY people or contractors that are not properly licensed. As an inspector I had seen hundreds of these unsafe conditions in attics and basements all the time.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 08, 2015
    Agree with Woodbridge about getting a pro in to find the source of the problem if the breakers haven't tripped. This is scary. Better to spend a few thousand on wiring than have your home destroyed - or worse.
  • Susan E Susan E on Feb 08, 2015
    I had a circuit (lights, plugs) in one room go out. It was a loose connection in my panel. Cost me $95. You don't say how old your home is. There was some less than lovely work done in the 1970's, but regardless you should run, not walk, to a licensed professional. Fire, fire!
  • Pgl Pgl on Feb 08, 2015
    PLEASE as a volunteer fire person GET A Licensed Electrician In Now. Call your Local Better Business for recommendations, ask a neighbor ask at your fire dept. It just maybe a bad contact in your junction box . Or if nothing else he can cut the power to the area until you can get it fixed. Your family's safety is priceless.
  • Pete Wells Pete Wells on Feb 08, 2015
    I had the same problem in a 1979 mobile home, the problem was a bad connection at an outlet sending 120 volts through the ground...cost to repair was $5, I never had any more trouble..I was replacing the old trailer outlets, which are junk, with approved boxes and new outlets, after replacing one and turning on the breaker, all the circuits that were dead came back to life...I've also seen a broken neutral connection cause this, at a light fixture..
  • Nancy B Nancy B on Feb 08, 2015
    Call an electrician for a free quote.
  • Judy Judy on Feb 08, 2015
    2 things occur to me....when my breakers trip, the switch barely moves from the on position & I have to look closely to see which one it is, so make sure the switch isn't just tripped. 2nd is the possibility that the breaker has gone bad. They're inexpensive & easy to replace. To troubleshoot just switch the breaker with another of the same number & see what happens. If you still have no electricity in that same circuit call an electrician.
  • Bonnie Spielman Bonnie Spielman on Feb 09, 2015
    Doesn't really matter what the cost. How much is you and your family's lives worth. Seek answers ASAP