How Long Does EV Charger Installation Take?

How Long Does EV Charger Installation Take?
A realistic timeline for Southern California homes.

Homeowners often imagine EV charger installation takes all day or disrupts the household. The reality is that most installs are surprisingly quick — even when routing or panel work is needed.

Here’s the simple breakdown.

1. Basic Wall Install

Time: 1–2 hours

Includes:

• Mounting charger
• Running short conduit
• Adding dedicated breaker
• Full testing

This is the majority of installations.

2. Attic or Exterior Routing

Time: 2–4 hours

Used when the charger location isn’t close to the panel.

Includes:

• Routing through attic
• Running exterior EMT conduit
• Drilling, sealing, patching
• Longer wire runs

3. Detached Garage Runs

Time: 3–6 hours

More distance, more complexity.
Sometimes trenching is required.

4. Panel Upgrades

Time: 4–7 hours

Full replacements take the longest, and some cities require inspections.

5. Smart Charger Setup

Time: 10–25 minutes

App setup, WiFi testing, load balancing.

Final Thoughts

Most homeowners are fully charged the same day.
Even complex work rarely extends beyond a single visit.

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