Electrical Panel Upgrades

Cost mainly depends on the new panel's amperage, how much the existing wiring needs to be adapted, whether the meter base or service entrance also needs work, and any permit fees. We look at all of this during a site visit so the quote reflects your actual panel, not a generic estimate.

Common signs include breakers that trip often, buzzing or humming from the panel, an outdated panel or old fuse box, flickering lights or appliances that don't run properly, and burning smells or visible damage, which need immediate attention. An upgrade is also worth considering if you're adding an EV charger, new lighting or high-capacity appliances, or planning a renovation. We can assess your panel and recommend the right fix.

It depends on the condition of the panel and what's wrong with it. If the panel is a known problem type like Zinsco or Federal Pacific, has signs of overheating, or is simply too small for your home's load, full replacement is usually the safer long-term fix rather than patching individual breakers. A straightforward issue like a single failed breaker or a loose connection can often be repaired without replacing the whole panel. We'll look at the actual panel and wiring before recommending one over the other.

No, panel work should be done by a licensed electrician. A panel upgrade involves working at the main service disconnect and sometimes coordinating a temporary utility shutoff, and mistakes here can cause fire risk or get flagged during inspection. It also needs to pass local code and inspection, which a licensed electrician is set up to handle. We handle the work from start to finish and make sure it's done up to code.

Yes, we work on older panel brands including Zinsco and Federal Pacific, both of which have well-documented breaker failures and are commonly flagged during home inspections or insurance reviews. Fuse boxes fall into the same category since they're outdated and often can't support modern electrical loads. Replacing these with a current panel resolves the underlying issue rather than just swapping parts.

It varies by scope, panel size, whether you're going from 100 amp to 200 amp service, adding a sub panel, and whether the service entrance or meter base also needs work. Most upgrades involve a full-day commitment plus scheduling for the utility disconnect and inspection, but the exact timeline depends on what your home needs. We'll give you a realistic estimate once we've seen the panel and discussed your plans.