How much does a panel upgrade cost in Los Angeles?

A typical 100A to 200A upgrade in LA runs $3,500–$5,500 all-in with permits. Underground services, service relocations, or older meter infrastructure can add cost. We quote flat-rate, never hourly.

How long does a panel upgrade take?

Most panel upgrades are completed in 6–8 hours on one day. We coordinate a brief power outage with LADWP or SCE, restore power before evening, and schedule final inspection for a few days later.

Will I be without power during the upgrade?

Yes, for roughly 4–6 hours during the main service swap. We schedule cleanly so you know exactly when power will be off and restored.

Do you handle the LADWP coordination?

Yes. We schedule the utility disconnect and reconnect as part of the job. You do not need to call LADWP or SCE.

What panel brand do you install?

Square D QO is our default. We also install Siemens and Eaton on request. We do not install Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic, or Challenger — these are obsolete and unsafe.

Do I need a panel upgrade for solar?

Often yes. Solar backfeed requires spare panel capacity and a 120% rule calculation. If your panel is close to capacity, a 200A upgrade is the cleanest path.

What is a subpanel and when do I need one?

A subpanel is a smaller breaker panel fed from your main panel. Useful for detached garages, ADUs, workshops, or when your main panel is full but service size is adequate.

Will insurance require me to replace a Federal Pacific panel?

A growing number of California insurers will not renew homeowner policies with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels. We provide a final permit signoff and letter you can give your carrier.

Electrical Panel Upgrade — Los Angeles

From 100 amps to 200, done in one day.

Old Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel? We replace it safely and permitted. 200A Square D, Siemens, or Eaton. Coordinated with LADWP/SCE. Passed first inspection every time.

818-852-4910 Get a Free Quote

300+

Panels replaced

1 day

Typical turnaround

100%

First-inspection pass

Flat

Rate pricing

Modern 200-amp residential electrical panel

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

You need an upgrade if you have a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Pushmatic panel (fire hazards); if breakers trip under normal use; if you are adding an EV charger, heat pump, or solar + battery; or if your panel is full with no open slots.

Panels wear out. We see heat discoloration, corroded bus bars, and breakers that weld themselves shut. A proper 200A upgrade is one of the most impactful safety improvements you can make to a home.

When to upgrade your panel

Any one of these is a signal. Several together means the upgrade is overdue.

If you have

Adding an EV charger

We do

Upgrade to 200A with subfeed for the EV circuit.

If you have

Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel

We do

Replace immediately. Fire hazard.

If you have

Breakers tripping frequently

We do

Load calc + upgrade or subpanel.

If you have

Adding heat pump / induction cooking

We do

New 200A panel with dedicated circuits.

If you have

Planning solar + battery

We do

Panel upgrade sized for solar backfeed + EV.

If you have

Panel is full with no open slots

We do

Subpanel or larger service.

Is a Federal Pacific panel actually dangerous?

Yes. Independent testing has shown FPE Stab-Lok breakers fail to trip at significantly higher rates than modern breakers. A breaker that does not trip under overload means wires overheat and start fires.

Many California insurers now refuse to renew homeowner policies with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels installed. Replacing them is a safety upgrade and an insurance requirement in many cases.

From assessment to inspection — 1 to 2 weeks

On-site work is one day. The full timeline includes permit, utility coordination, and inspection.

1
On-site assessment
30 minutes
Owner walks your panel, runs load calc, photographs the existing service. Written quote same day.
2
Permit + LADWP coordination
3–10 days
LADBS electrical permit pulled. Utility disconnect/reconnect scheduled.
3
Panel swap day
6–8 hours
Meter pulled, new service entrance installed, new 200A panel wired and labeled.
4
Final inspection
3–5 business days
LADBS inspector signs off. We meet them on site.

Panels we install

Industry-standard panels only. If your old panel is Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic, or Challenger, it has to go.

Square D QO

Included in flat-rate quote

Our default pick

+Industry gold standard
+QO breakers widely available
+Superior trip reliability

Siemens

Included in flat-rate quote

Quality alternative

+Heavy-duty bus bar
+Cost-competitive
+Good breaker selection

Eaton

Included in flat-rate quote

Residential and commercial

+BR or CH line options
+Strong warranty

Panel upgrade terms worth knowing

Electrical work uses specific terms. Here is what the jargon means in plain English.

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok: A panel brand manufactured 1950s–1980s with documented breaker failure rates creating fire risk.
Zinsco: A panel brand later sold as Sylvania-Zinsco with aluminum bus bar corrosion and breaker failure issues.
Service entrance: The conductors and enclosure delivering utility power from the weatherhead or meter to the main panel.
LADBS: Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the AHJ that issues electrical permits and conducts inspections in the City of LA.

300+

Panels replaced

1 day

On-site

First try

Inspection

Flat

Rate pricing

Panel upgrade FAQs

Learn more about panels

Panel Upgrades

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