Quick home electric question

Do not have the city inspector come by!!

We’re all in agreement that your current service doesn’t meet code and is totally unsafe. Live wires in an open meter pan!
73RedDuster nailed it, your city inspector might just call the local power company and they’ll cut your service off. Typically removing your meter.
The city inspector might write you up for violations. Then you’ll definitely have to call in a licensed electrician.

Your previous idea of installing mini-breakers to make room for a 2 pole breaker is a little more involved as you must “phase” the existing circuits, as to not overload a neutral on a 3 wire cable (14/3 for example must have the black and red wires on separate “phases” so the neutral will not have the potential to exceed the amperage rating)


At this point, have your contractor buddy come over and install the transfer switch.

Regardless, that’s not gonna rectify other existing code violations.