FAQ
The questions we get on the phone
If yours is not here, the assessment form is faster than waiting on a blog post. Two Florida-specific notes worth reading first: permits, and FPL’s charger program.
- What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3?
- Level 1 is a 120-volt dedicated circuit. Slow. Fine for a plug-in hybrid. Level 2 is 240 volts on a 40- or 48-amp breaker — that is the overnight home install. Level 3 is DC fast charging on a commercial lot. Different voltage, different gear, different permit. We do all three.
- Do I need a permit in Florida?
- If we are adding a dedicated 240-volt circuit, yes, in every city we work. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach each have their own portal. Skipping it shows up at a home sale. We pull the permit. HOA approval is separate and often slower than the city.
- Should I just use FPL EVolution instead?
- Sometimes. FPL’s program puts their Level 2 charger in your garage for a monthly fee and they handle the permit. You do not own the unit. It is usually a 40-amp charger on their schedule. If you want a Tesla Wall Connector, a 48-amp circuit, an outdoor pedestal, or a driveway bore, that is us, not the utility program.
- How long does a home install take?
- A garage job with a healthy 200-amp panel is a few hours on site after the permit hits. Permits in Broward and Miami-Dade are often a few business days when the load calc is clean. Panel upgrades and outdoor runs take longer. We will not quote “same week” until we have seen the panel.
- Will you trench my driveway?
- Not if we can bore it. Short straight crossings use a missile. Longer or curved paths use directional drilling. Two small pits instead of a saw cut through pavers. Same crew as the electrical, so it is not a three-week wait on a sub.
- Can you install a Tesla Wall Connector?
- Yes. Also ChargePoint, Wallbox, Emporia, and a NEMA 14-50 if you want to keep the portable unit. If you might not always own a Tesla, say so. A universal J1772 is often the calmer choice.
- What if my panel is full?
- Then that is the job, not the charger. Load-managed unit, subpanel, or a service upgrade — we quote it as its own line. A 48-amp circuit on a stuffed 100-amp service is how you fail inspection.
- Do you work condos and HOAs?
- Yes. The architectural packet is usually slower than the city permit. We send cut sheets and a simple elevation so the board is not guessing. Building electrical-room capacity is a real limit. We measure it.
Longer versions: Florida permits · FPL EVolution vs owning the charger