Electrical work is expensive!

[1 Wild R/T]

If he's gotta dig a trench below the frost line 40' long he's gonna be tearing up your yard, I'd expect he would have discussed it with you...

And that is very labor entensive and could be where a lot of those costs are.

That said, don't be surprised to get a quote significantly differently.

These days if I need a 40' trench 4' deep I go to Home Depot & rent a Mini Excavator for about $350 for the day & at the end of the day my back thanks me....  A bunch of tarps on the lawn to put the dirt on helps too....

[torredcuda]

Another guy coming up Thursday and also asked a co-worker who lives in Mass if her husband is licensed in New Hampshire so he may be an option as well. Also confirmed he is using the existing piping from the house and just running a heavier wire thru it, no digging needed.

[7212Mopar]

Conduit size and number and size of wires running in the conduit is regulated by code. Usually one size up is not a problem but he should pull out the old feeders.

[torredcuda]

Second estimate ~$4700 or ~$4000 if I pay cash,  he`ll be starting Tuesday. 

[Bullitt-]

I'd make that payable upon completion of the job................