Signs it’s time for a new panel
- Breakers that trip often, or a panel with no free spaces left.
- An older 60 or 100 amp service in a home that now has more appliances.
- Plans for an EV charger, hot tub, air conditioning, a heat pump or a basement suite.
- Scorch marks, buzzing, rust or a panel brand that insurers or inspectors have flagged.
- Double-tapped breakers or a panel full of tandem breakers to squeeze in more circuits.
How a service upgrade works
We start with a load calculation to size the new service, commonly 200 amps for a modern single-family home and 400 amps for large homes with heavy loads. We then pull the electrical permit and coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with the electricity distribution company.
On the day, the power is off while the old panel is replaced, circuits are moved over and labelled, and new breakers are installed, including arc-fault (AFCI) and ground-fault (GFCI) protection where the code requires it. After the inspection you get an updated, readable panel directory.
Panel replacement without a service upgrade
If the service size is fine but the panel is old, damaged or out of spaces, replacing the panel alone, or adding a sub-panel for a garage or basement, may be the simpler fix. We’ll tell you which option makes sense.
Common questions
How long will the power be off?
For most homes the power is off for part of one day while the panel is swapped and the utility reconnects. We schedule it with you in advance.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Panel and service upgrades require an electrical permit and inspection. We take care of both.
What size service do I need?
It depends on your home and plans. A load calculation tells us; 200 amps covers most modern houses, while large homes with EV chargers, hot tubs or suites may need more.
Will you label the new panel?
Yes. Every circuit is identified and labelled, and we can add a QR code linking to your home’s digital panel directory.