Why upgrade your panel

Many older homes were wired for far fewer electrical loads than we use today. Central A/C, EV chargers, electric cooking, pool equipment and home offices all add demand, and an undersized or worn panel struggles to keep up.

A new panel improves safety, gives your circuits proper protection, and leaves room to add loads later without another round of work.

Also a common insurance issue

Some insurers ask for panels on the problem list below to be replaced before they will write or renew a policy. If you received that request, call us and we will explain what is involved.

Panels That Should Be Replaced

KNOWN PROBLEM BRANDS

These older panel types have a documented history of breakers that may fail to trip when they should. If your panel is one of them, we recommend an evaluation.

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-LokZinsco / Sylvania-ZinscoChallengerPushmatic (Bulldog)

Please do not open or work inside your panel yourself. If you see rust, corrosion, melting or scorch marks, or hear popping or buzzing, stay away from it and call a licensed electrician.

Signs You May Need an Upgrade

WORTH A LOOK
Breakers trip oftenLights dim when the A/C startsNo room for new circuitsFuses instead of breakersPanel is 30+ years oldPlanning an EV charger or addition

What a Panel Upgrade Involves

START TO FINISH
01

Evaluate

We inspect your existing panel, service and grounding, and calculate the load your property needs.

02

Permit

A panel replacement requires a permit, and we handle the paperwork.

03

Coordinate the outage

Power is off while the panel is swapped. We schedule it and coordinate with the utility when it is needed.

04

Replace and label

We install the new panel and breakers, correct grounding and bonding, and label every circuit.

05

Inspect

We coordinate the inspection and walk you through the new panel when the work is done.

What Affects the Price

NO TWO PANELS ARE THE SAME

The cost of a panel upgrade depends on the size of the service (for example 100, 150 or 200 amps), the condition and location of the existing equipment, whether the meter base or service mast also needs work, and permit requirements. Because of that, we give you a quote after we see your setup instead of a one-size-fits-all number.

Panel Upgrade FAQs

COMMON QUESTIONS
How long does a panel replacement take?

Many residential panel replacements can be completed in a day, but it depends on the size of the job and any related work. We will give you an estimate of the timeline when we quote the work.

Will my power be off during the upgrade?

Yes, power is off while the panel is replaced. We schedule it in advance and plan the work so the outage is as short as possible.

Do I need a permit to replace my panel?

Yes. Panel replacements require a permit and an inspection, and we handle both.

How do I know if I have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?

The brand name is normally printed on the panel door or label. If you are not sure, send us a photo of the panel and we can tell you what it is, or we can check it in person.

Can a new panel help with an EV charger or a new A/C?

Often, yes. Adding a large load needs enough capacity and breaker space. We check your load before recommending an upgrade so you only replace what you need to.

Need an electrician in Miami?

Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you with the next steps.