Running a bigger subpanel now might save headaches (and money) down the road. I’d rather have the option than have to dig up my yard again.
I get the logic, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always the best move. There’s a fine line between planning ahead and just adding capacity “just in case.” I’ve seen folks put in 100A panels for a garage that ends up being a glorified storage shed—never even plugged in more than a fridge and a few lights. That’s a lot of copper and conduit for peace of mind.
From an eco standpoint, overbuilding can be wasteful too. Materials, energy, all that stuff adds up. If you’re pretty sure you’ll want an EV charger or workshop gear, then yeah, size up. But if it’s just “maybe someday,” sometimes less is more. Worst case, you trench again in ten years... but by then, who knows what tech or codes will look like? Sometimes flexibility beats future-proofing.
sometimes less is more. Worst case, you trench again in ten years... but by then, who knows what tech or codes will look like?
That’s kind of how I see it too. I ran 30A to my shed for lights and a freezer, and it’s been plenty. If I ever need more, I’ll cross that bridge later—no sense paying for copper I might never use.
I get the “less is more” angle, but I always wonder if it’s worth thinking a bit bigger up front. In my old house, I ran just enough power to the garage for what I needed at the time—then a few years later, I wanted to add a heater and suddenly I was stuck. Ended up having to dig again, which was a pain (and not cheap). Is it really that much more to run a heavier gauge wire now, just in case? Sometimes future-proofing saves headaches... or maybe I just overthink these things.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve been in the same boat—ran what I thought was “enough” power, then a few years later wanted to add a welder and had to redo everything. Running a heavier gauge wire up front isn’t that much more expensive, especially compared to trenching again. It’s easy to underestimate how your needs will change. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but I’d rather have a little extra capacity than regret it down the line.
Running a heavier gauge wire up front isn’t that much more expensive, especially compared to trenching again.
That’s the part that always gets overlooked. I used to think, “I’ll never need more than a couple outlets and lights.” Fast forward, and suddenly I’m eyeing a mini-split or a compressor. Planning for the “what ifs” saves a ton of headaches. Even if it feels like overkill, future-you will thank you.
