Honestly, I think 100A is still more than enough for most folks unless you’re running a full-blown workshop with welders, compressors, and maybe an EV charger all at once. I’ve flipped a few places and even with a couple of big tools going, I never came close to maxing out. That said, leaving room in the conduit is smart—never know when you’ll want to add something wild like a sauna or mini-split down the road. But yeah, for most setups, 100A feels like plenty... at least for now.
I get where you're coming from, but I’ve run into a few situations where 100A just didn’t cut it—especially with folks adding EV chargers or a couple of mini-splits after the fact. It’s easy to underestimate how much you’ll want to run out there in five years. I usually recommend at least planning for 125A or even 150A if the budget allows, just to avoid headaches later. Upgrading after the fact is a pain, trust me.
That’s interesting to hear, and I can see why you’d recommend going higher on amperage. I’m dealing with a house from the 1920s, so I tend to be a bit conservative about what I add, just trying not to overwhelm the old wiring or run into issues with the main panel. But you’ve got me thinking—if someone’s already maxed out their main service at, say, 150A or 200A, is it really practical to dedicate 125A or more just for the garage? Or do most folks doing this kind of upgrade also have to look at bumping up their main service too?
It feels like a bit of a domino effect. I’ve seen neighbors start with “just a little power for tools,” then suddenly they’re talking about a full workshop, an EV charger, maybe even a small apartment above the garage. It’s easy to see how it snowballs. But I wonder if there’s a point where you’re better off running a smaller subpanel and just being mindful of your usage, or if it’s always worth overbuilding from the start, budget permitting.
I guess part of my hesitation is that older homes like mine weren’t designed with this kind of load in mind. I’ve had to rewire sections just to get basic modern appliances working safely. Have you run into any issues with the main house panel not being able to support a bigger subpanel out back? Or do most people just bite the bullet and upgrade everything at once? I’m curious if there’s a smarter way to plan for future needs without biting off more than you can chew upfront.
Yeah, I’ve seen that domino effect too—one project turns into three. Honestly, unless you’re planning on heavy-duty stuff right away, I’d lean toward a smaller subpanel and just keep an eye on what you’re running at the same time. Have you actually hit your main panel’s limit yet, or are you just being cautious? Sometimes people overestimate how much amperage they’ll really use day-to-day.
Sometimes people overestimate how much amperage they’ll really use day-to-day.
That’s been my experience too. When I first started fixing up my 1920s place, I was convinced I’d need a massive upgrade for every project. Turns out, most days I’m just running a few lights and maybe a saw. The only time I got close to tripping anything was during a family get-together when the garage fridge, space heater, and some power tools were all going at once. Otherwise, it’s usually fine. I do wonder if older wiring makes me more cautious than necessary, though...
