Ok I finally got an estimate from Roy at RG Electric, which gets good reviews on Yelp (http://www.yelp.com/biz/rg-electric-encino" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false
.
Total estimate including parts and labor: $2250.
This would be for:
-Running ~80 ft of thick conductor (rated for 50A) in external conduit (over the roof or under the eaves) from the main electrical panel on the back of my house, out to my garage. (I suspect this is the main driver of cost.)
-Installing either a 240V wall outlet in garage OR hardwire installing the EVSE.
-replacing the (currently missing) main panel cover (just the metal cover, not the actual panel or electrical connections. For some reason the panel cover was missing when we bought the house. . . noticed during inspection and compensated for in house purchase arrangement. I can't imagine this panel cover costs more than $100, so I doubt this is driving the cost.)
Note this estimate does NOT include the cost of installing an additional main panel for TOU. I expect that estimate would be even higher, which is consistent with what I was previously told by LADWP and the pre-estimate (~$3k) given by Roy.
JasonA (in this forum) mentioned earlier he expected the parts for running that much wire and conduit would be ~$400, and that maybe the cost of a full install (including parts, labor, permits, etc.) would be $500-$900 for a separate TOU panel install. That would seem to be a gross underestimate, at least for my situation. If anyone thinks otherwise, I would LOVE to get contact info for other recommended electricians!