The story
What the homeowners called about
They noticed heavy rust on the outdoor electrical panel and asked us to take a look.
What we found
The exterior meter combo, the meter and main breaker panel in one outdoor enclosure, was badly corroded. The bottom of the enclosure had rusted through.
What we couldn't know until we opened it up
How much damage was inside. Rust on the outside of an enclosure doesn't tell you the condition of the bus and breakers until the cover comes off.
The options we gave them
A written quote to replace the meter combo, with the other items they'd asked about priced separately: a few outlets, bonding the gas line, and a whole-house surge protector.
What they chose, and why
All of it: the new meter combo, the outlet replacements, the gas line bond and the surge protector, done in the same visit.