Hey there, I'm a lead electrician with EV Install BA, and I specialize in EV charger installations. If you've just bought a Tesla, Ioniq 5, or any other electric vehicle and are thinking about home charging—you're in the right place. We've installed hundreds of stations all over San Jose, San Mateo, and the Bay Area, and I'm here to give you the real story, not just a textbook version.

 

Why Your Standard Wall Outlet is a "C-" Solution

Sure, you can plug the included cable into a garage outlet. It works. But just yesterday, I was at a client's place in Campbell—he was complaining that his Mach-E only charged 40% overnight. That's typical for Level 1 charging. A Level 2 home charger is like trading a bicycle for a car:

• A full battery overnight, not over two days.
• No stress about whether you'll have enough charge for an unplanned trip.
• It's an investment in your home. Future potential buyers will already be looking for this feature.

 

Which Charger Should You Choose? Don't Chase the Biggest Numbers

Are people trying to sell you an 80A model? Don't fall for it. Most families in San Jose are perfectly served by a 40A or 48A charger.

 

Here's a simple way to figure out what you need:

• Smart Charger (Wi-Fi): If you love tech and want to charge during PG&E's cheaper off-peak hours, go for a JuiceBox or ChargePoint.
• Simple & Reliable: If you just need it to "just work," take a look at a Grizzl-E. No frills, but it works in any frost or rain, which is relevant for our coastal weather.
• For Tesla: The logical choice is the Tesla Wall Connector. It integrates seamlessly with your car.

The main question I ask every client is: "Can you show me your electrical panel?" Often, the charger you can get isn't about your wants, but the capacity of your home's wiring.

 

What Does Installation Really Cost in San Jose? A Breakdown

You'll see online ads promising $300 installations. In reality, for a quality job, expect to pay between $1,800 and $3,200. Why the range? Here are some real-world examples from my work:

• The Ideal Scenario (≈$1,800): The electrical panel is in the garage, there's space for a new breaker, and you want the charger on the wall right opposite it. That's a 3-4 hour job, done.
• The Common Scenario (≈$2,500): The panel is in the basement, but you want the charger by the garage door. Now we need to run 40 feet of cable through conduit across the ceiling. This adds materials and labor.
• The "Complex" Case (from $3,000): Your panel is old and full. It requires a panel upgrade—there's no way around it. I see these all the time in older neighborhoods of San Mateo and Santa Clara. This is the main reason why cheap installers often disappear after the initial inspection.

 

Why This Isn't a Job for Your "Friend Who's an Electrician"

We often get calls to fix installations where the homeowner tried to save money. The typical results are:

• Constant breaker trips due to incorrect load calculations.
• Denied PG&E rebates because the work wasn't done by a certified contractor.
• An insurance claim denial in case of a fire stemming from unpermitted work.

 

Our job isn't just to connect two wires. It's to guarantee that everything is safe, legal, and will work for years to come.

 

Want to Know the Exact Cost for Your Home?

Stop guessing. Schedule a free, on-site assessment in San Jose, San Mateo, or anywhere in the Bay Area. We'll come out, look at your panel, discuss your driving habits, and give you a final, all-inclusive price—covering the permit, hardware, and our warranty.

 

Call us at: 650-550-0519

Or email: info@evinstallba.com

 

EV Install BA — Powering Bay Area with Confidence.