A Level 2 charger is a 240-volt appliance that draws continuously for hours, which makes it the largest sustained load most houses will ever add. The install itself is straightforward — a dedicated 40 to 60 amp circuit, correctly sized conductors, and either a hardwired unit or a NEMA 14-50 receptacle. What decides whether it is a simple job or a bigger one is your existing service. We run a load calculation before quoting, and if the panel cannot carry the charger we will say so up front rather than after the wall is open.
Detached garages are common here and are the part people underestimate. Feeding one properly means a subpanel, a buried or overhead feeder with its own grounding electrode at the garage, and a trench that satisfies both code and your municipality's rules about what may cross a property line. Village of Niles inspections cover the trench before it is backfilled, so the work is sequenced around that visit.
We install whatever unit you have bought, and we will give you a straight opinion on what to buy if you have not. If your utility offers an off-peak charging rate or a rebate, the install is documented in the form the program wants so the paperwork actually goes through.
Common questions
Can my panel handle a charger without an upgrade?+
Sometimes. A 200-amp service with a gas furnace and gas water heater usually has room; a 100-amp service with electric heat usually does not. We run a load calculation to NEC 220 before quoting. Where capacity is tight, a load-management device that pauses charging when the house draws hard is often cheaper than a full service upgrade.
Hardwired or plug-in?+
Hardwiring is required above 48 amps and is more reliable long term — no receptacle to overheat, no cord to fail. A NEMA 14-50 receptacle makes sense if you rent, expect to move the unit, or want to swap chargers without an electrician. Both are code-compliant when installed correctly.
How long does the installation take?+
A typical attached-garage install on an adjacent wall is half a day. A detached garage with a new subpanel and a trench is two to three days including the inspection hold. You get a firm schedule with the estimate.
Other services
Most jobs touch more than one of these. Ask and we will tell you which.
