Spent $400 on a fancy panel that did the same job as a $80 one

Last month I installed a top-tier panel for a new construction house because I figured the client wanted the best. Ended up using maybe three of its features, and the basic programming took twice as long. Meanwhile my old go-to panel would have handled the job fine for a fraction of the cost. Has anyone else fallen for the bait and bought more panel than they needed on a job?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica3318d ago

Overlooked the resale value angle on this one. If the house gets sold in a few years, that fancy panel might actually be a negative. Buyers looking at a basic house with a high-end system sometimes assume it's broken or they'll have to pay extra to access the features. A neighbor of mine had to swap out his fully loaded system because the new owner wanted something simpler. Your mileage may vary but sometimes simpler panels can actually help move the property faster.

the_rose7d ago

Watched my cousin's fancy thermostat go unused for years because nobody could figure out the app.

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mila_murphy7d ago

See, I kind of disagree on that. A smart thermostat is one of the easiest things to figure out compared to all the other junk they slap in houses these days. Most of them just connect to your phone and you set a schedule once, done. And resale value? I think buyers actually like seeing a modern thermostat because it tells them the house has been taken care of. My friend's house sold in a week and the new owner specifically mentioned the smart thermostat as a plus. If your neighbor swapped his out, sounds like he didn't know how to market it or show the buyer how simple it actually is.