Panel replacement versus service upgrade
Replacing a panel swaps the enclosure, bus and breakers. A service upgrade changes the capacity feeding it — the service conductors from the utility, the meter, the main disconnect, and often the mast and weatherhead. You can replace a panel without upgrading the service, and that is sometimes exactly right. But if your constraint is capacity rather than condition, a new panel on the same 100-amp service will not let you add a single additional amp. We work out which problem you actually have before quoting either.
Start with the actual electrical loads
The capacity review considers the property’s existing demand and the equipment you plan to add. Tell us about appliances, cooling, EV charging, additions or other changes being considered. The assessment helps distinguish a service upgrade from additional circuits, a panel change or another distribution arrangement.
The utility's part
A service upgrade involves the utility, and their schedule often sets the date rather than ours. The disconnect and reconnect are theirs; the mast, meter socket, panel and grounding are ours. Where the service is overhead, the mast and point of attachment frequently need replacing at the same time. Where it is underground, the question is whether the existing conduit and conductors can carry the new rating. We handle the coordination and the permit, and we tell you honestly where the schedule is outside our control.
Common questions
Do I need 200 amps for an EV charger?
Not always. A modern 200-amp service usually has room. A 100-amp service already running air conditioning and electric cooking frequently does not. There are also load-management devices that let a charger share existing capacity, which can be considerably cheaper than a service upgrade. We run the calculation and present both options rather than defaulting to the larger job.
How long does a service upgrade take?
The electrical work is typically one to two days. The overall timeline depends on the permit and the utility's disconnect and reconnect scheduling, which can add days or weeks depending on how busy they are. We give you a realistic date range at the estimate and tell you which parts are outside our control.
Can I upgrade the service without replacing the panel?
Rarely worth it. If the panel is old enough to be on an undersized service, it is usually old enough that replacing it at the same time costs far less than doing it separately later — the outage, the permit and the utility visit are shared. We will tell you if yours is a genuine exception.
Technical planning notes & references
BEFORE WE QUOTE THE WORK
Decide whether 200 amps fits the project
Capacity is a calculation
The right service capacity depends on existing and proposed loads. Load management may be worth considering where suitable. Upgrading a panel label does not upgrade the conductors, meter equipment or utility supply.
Coordinate the entire service
Overhead and underground services have different site constraints. Meter location, utility equipment, grounding and bonding, working space and permits affect the plan. Utility review and inspection availability can affect reconnection. Distinguish the installation outage from the overall schedule and identify any trenching or finish work.
Utility planning references: LADWP requirements · SCE requirements