Planning EV Charger & Infrastructure Installation in Los Angeles: Costs, Options, and What to Expect

Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly changing how households, businesses, and public spaces use electricity. Whether you’re a homeowner in Los Angeles looking to install a reliable Level 2 charger in your garage or a property owner planning a small public charging site, clear planning and experienced electrical work are essential. This post explains the major choices, real-world costs, recent trends in charging infrastructure, and practical steps Shaffer Construction, Inc. takes when installing EV chargers and the supporting electrical infrastructure.

Why thinking beyond the charger matters

Installing an EV charger is more than mounting a unit on a wall and plugging it in. A safe, reliable, and future-proof installation often requires load calculations, panel upgrades, new wiring and conduit, trenching, permits, compliance with local codes and accessibility requirements, and coordination with the utility. These infrastructure items are what distinguish a quick DIY setup from a long-term, code-compliant installation that supports more chargers, charging speeds, and potential future electrification projects.

At Shaffer Construction, we combine electrical contracting expertise with general contracting coordination so you get a single point of responsibility for everything from trenching and concrete work to final electrical connections and permit sign-off.

Types of EV charging and where they fit

There are three broad categories of EV charging relevant to most property owners:

Level 1 (120V): Basic charging from a standard household outlet. Slow (2–5 miles of range per hour). No major electrical work required, but not practical as primary charging for most drivers.

Level 2 (240V): Most residential and many workplace chargers. Speeds vary (typically 7–11 kW for home units; higher-power commercial Level 2s exist). Requires a 240V circuit and proper installation.

DC Fast Charging (DCFC): High-power public chargers (50 kW to 400 kW+). Require major infrastructure — three-phase power, significant utility coordination, and site design for traffic flow and safety.

There’s also growing interest in new forms of convenience charging, such as inductive (wireless) charging pads. While wireless pads can be convenient, they come at a substantial premium and currently are best suited to specific use cases and vehicle models that support them. For example, manufacturers are beginning to offer home wireless charging pads rated up to 11 kW, but those systems can add many thousands of dollars to the cost of a vehicle or installation compared with wired options (InsideEVs: Porsche’s Wireless EV Charging).

What drives installation cost

Costs vary widely depending on site conditions, expected charging power, and electrical service capacity. Key cost drivers include:

Service capacity and panel upgrades: If your building’s electrical panel or utility service lacks spare capacity, an upgrade may be required to safely add EV charging circuits.

Trenching, conduit, and site work: Running new conduit under driveways or through landscaping, installing bollards, and pouring small concrete pads add labor and material costs.

Permitting and inspections: Local permits, utility interconnection applications, and inspection fees vary by jurisdiction.

Charger hardware and networking: Smart chargers with network connectivity, payment integration, and load-sharing features cost more than basic hardwired units.

Utility upgrades for public or fast chargers: Public fast charging stations often require three-phase power and significant utility infrastructure investments.

Because of these variables, Shaffer Construction always begins with a site assessment and electrical load study. That allows us to present a clear scope and fixed proposal, minimizing surprises during the project.

Public charging growth and why it matters for property owners

Public charging continues to expand rapidly, driven by strong EV adoption in many regions. High EV-adoption markets are building out public chargers aggressively to support drivers who can’t charge at home or who need long-distance travel infrastructure. For example, Norway — a world leader in EV adoption — now has more public charging ports than gasoline nozzles, illustrating how fast infrastructure can scale when policy and demand align (CleanTechnica: Norway’s charging growth).

For businesses and property owners in Los Angeles, public charging can be a new amenity and revenue source. Supermarkets, workplaces, apartment complexes, and mixed-use developments increasingly see EV charging as a differentiator for tenants and customers. Adding chargers can increase property value and attract EV-driving customers — but success depends on thoughtful site planning and reliable electrical infrastructure.

Interoperability and user experience: why roaming matters

One barrier to smooth public charging is the fragmentation of networks and apps. Roaming agreements between charging networks let drivers use different networks with a single account, simplifying payment and access. Recent partnerships among major charging providers show momentum toward seamless roaming across networks, which improves the customer experience and increases charger utilization (Charged EVs: SWTCH and FLO roaming).

When planning a public or workplace charging site, consider:

Network connectivity and backend support (for pay-as-you-go chargers)

Payment options and roaming compatibility

Signage and wayfinding

Maintenance contracts and uptime guarantees

Shaffer Construction can coordinate charger procurement and network setup, or install owner-operated systems if you prefer to manage the network directly.

Fast-charging projects: what to expect

If you’re considering fast chargers (DCFC), expect a different scale of project. These stations are capital-intensive and require heavier electrical infrastructure and long lead times for utility interconnection. Governments and utilities continue to invest in fast charging to support regional travel and remote areas: for instance, a provincial program recently funded 14 ultra-fast chargers in Newfoundland and Labrador, including projects that bring fast charging to previously underserved regions (Drive Tesla Canada: Newfoundland & Labrador chargers).

For commercial sites we handle:

Utility coordination and service upgrades

Transformer and switchgear procurement/installation

Load management and energy storage integration

Traffic flow, lighting, and safety features

We also help clients explore incentives and grant opportunities to offset infrastructure costs.

Permitting, planning, and municipal readiness

Permitting and local regulations are critical to project timelines. Municipalities that streamline permitting, adopt EV-ready codes, and plan for EV infrastructure accelerate charger deployment. Programs like the U.S. Department of Energy’s Charging Smart designation recognize cities that have reduced barriers through standardized permitting and planning; Missoula recently earned Bronze for making permitting and zoning changes that smooth charger deployment (SolarBuilderMag: Missoula Charging Smart).

In Los Angeles, navigating LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety) and utility interconnection requirements is a routine part of our work. Shaffer Construction prepares permit-ready electrical plans, files interconnection requests when necessary, and manages inspections — saving clients time and reducing the risk of rework.

Reliability and uptime — a growing industry focus

Charging reliability is an industry-wide priority. Studies and reliability indices show that not all charging sessions complete successfully, and operators are investing in monitoring, maintenance, and robust hardware to improve uptime. When we install chargers, we focus on durable, code-compliant workmanship and recommend hardware backed by reliable monitoring and service so your chargers stay online and usable for customers and residents.

Typical installation process with Shaffer Construction

Our typical approach is structured to minimize surprises and deliver predictable outcomes:

Free initial consultation: Discuss goals, locations, and usage patterns (residential vs. workplace vs. public).

Site visit & electrical assessment: Verify existing service, panel capacity, identify conduit routes, and estimate trenching and civil work.

Design & scope development: Create permit-ready electrical plans, panel schedules, and site layouts. Provide fixed-price proposals whenever possible.

Permitting & utility coordination: Submit permits and interconnection applications; communicate with inspectors and the utility on your behalf.

Construction & installation: Perform trenching, concrete or civil work, electrical installs, meter/socket work, and charger mounting. Test and commission equipment to ensure safe operation.

Handover & documentation: Provide as-built drawings, permit closeout, and basic user training or signage recommendations.

Maintenance & support: Optional service contracts, remote monitoring setup, and troubleshooting support.

Questions to ask before you hire a contractor

Not all installers offer the same breadth of services. When evaluating contractors, ask:

Are you a licensed electrical contractor in California? (Shaffer Construction is licensed and insured.)

Can you perform the required civil/site work, or do I need separate contractors?

Do you handle permits and utility coordination?

Do you provide a site-specific electrical load analysis and a written proposal?

Will you provide warranty/support and recommended maintenance plans?

Having one contractor manage both electrical and site-work reduces coordination problems, shortens schedules, and avoids finger-pointing if issues arise. Shaffer Construction offers integrated electrical and general contracting services so a single team handles the complete project.

Future-proofing your installation

When possible, plan for growth. That can mean installing larger conduits than currently required, running spare conduit for future chargers, designing panel capacity for a second charger, or including a provision for load management systems. Future-proofing adds modest up-front cost but can save substantial money and disruption later as EV adoption grows.

How Shaffer Construction can help

Shaffer Construction, Inc. is an experienced electrical and general contractor in Los Angeles specializing in EV charger and infrastructure installations. We handle residential, multi-family, commercial, and public projects from initial planning through final inspection. Our services include site assessments, electrical design, panel upgrades, trenching and conduit installation, charger mounting, network integration support, permitting, and utility coordination.

If you’re planning an EV charger project in Los Angeles, contact us for a consultation. We’ll evaluate your site, explain realistic cost ranges for your needs, and provide a clear, written proposal.

Contact Shaffer Construction

Shaffer Construction, Inc. Phone: 323-642-8509 Email: hello@shaffercon.com Website: www.shaffercon.com Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Sources and further reading

InsideEVs — Porsche’s Wireless EV Charging Will Cost You $14,000 (on wireless charging costs and capabilities)

CleanTechnica — Norway Has More EV Charging Ports Than Gas Nozzles (on rapid public charging adoption)

Charged EVs — SWTCH and FLO Launch Seamless Roaming Across North America (on roaming and network interoperability)

Drive Tesla Canada — Newfoundland and Labrador to Add 14 Ultra-Fast EV Chargers in 2026 (example of public investment in fast charging)

SolarBuilderMag — Missoula Earns Montana’s First Charging Smart Designation (on municipal readiness and streamlined permitting)

Ready to start your EV charger project? Call us at 323-642-8509 or email hello@shaffercon.com for a site visit and no-obligation estimate.