Home Service Upgrades
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Upgrade from 100A to 200A so your home can handle EV chargers, induction ranges, heat pumps, and modern loads. Permits, PG&E coordination, and same-day restore included.
Get a Panel Upgrade Quote →Panel Upgrade Services
From a 100→200A service upgrade to a Federal Pacific swap — we handle the panel, permit, and PG&E end-to-end.
100A → 200A Upgrades
The most common home upgrade — adds capacity for EV chargers, induction ranges, heat pumps, and modern appliances. New main breaker, panel, and meter coordination with PG&E.
Federal Pacific Replacement
FPE Stab-Lok panels are documented fire hazards — breakers often fail to trip. We swap them with modern UL-listed equipment per current code.
Zinsco / Sylvania Replacement
Like Federal Pacific, Zinsco panels are flagged by insurers and home inspectors. We replace with new Square D, Eaton, or Siemens panels.
Sub-Panel Installation
Add a sub-panel for garage workshops, ADUs, EV chargers, or home additions — extends capacity without replacing the main panel.
Fuse Box Replacement
Old fuse boxes are unsafe and unsupported. We replace with modern breaker panels, including all branch-circuit conversions.
EV-Ready Panel Prep
Sizing the upgrade for a future EV charger, heat pump, or solar PV — load calculations included, so the next install is plug-and-play.
PG&E Coordination
We pull permits, schedule the meter pull and reset with PG&E, and handle the city inspection — you only schedule one day for the work.
Same-Day Power Restore
For most residential upgrades, the home is back on grid the same day. We coordinate timing so your refrigerator, internet, and life keep running.
Signs You Need a New Panel
Breakers trip frequently
Your panel is overloaded — modern appliances draw more than 1960s/70s panels were designed for.
You see scorch marks or buzzing
Internal arcing inside the panel — fire risk, immediate replacement needed.
No room for new circuits
Need to add an EV charger, hot tub, or ADU but all slots are full? Time to upgrade.
Federal Pacific / Zinsco label
Insurance carriers flag these. Some won't renew until the panel is replaced.
Fuse box still in use
Pre-1960 home with fuses instead of breakers? Replacement is overdue and often required by lenders.
Selling the home
A modern 200A panel removes a major buyer objection and inspection finding. Often pays for itself at closing.
Our Panel-Upgrade Process
On-Site Assessment
We inspect the existing panel, meter, and grounding. Quote includes load calculations and a fixed price.
Permit & PG&E Setup
We pull the city permit, file the PG&E service request, and schedule the meter pull window.
Same-Day Install
Old panel comes out, new panel goes in, grounding upgraded, and PG&E reconnects. Typical timing: 6–10 hours.
Inspection & Sign-Off
City inspector signs off, we hand you the permit closeout and any warranty paperwork.
Federal Pacific Replacement — Belmont
A 1973 Belmont split-level with an original FPE Stab-Lok panel — flagged by the homeowner's insurance carrier at renewal. Replaced with a new 200A Eaton CH panel, all circuits relabeled, GFCI/AFCI brought current to code. Insurance renewed at standard rate the following month.
- Before: Federal Pacific Stab-Lok 100A, flagged for non-renewal
- After: Eaton CH 200A with full code-current GFCI/AFCI
- Permit: Pulled Tue, install Thu, inspected Fri
- Outcome: Insurance renewed; ready for future EV + heat pump
Why Choose Fox for Your Panel Upgrade
Same-Day Power Restore
Most upgrades complete in one day with PG&E reconnecting power before evening. Your refrigerator, internet, and life keep running.
PG&E Coordination
Service letter, load letter, meter pull and reset windows — we handle all utility coordination. You schedule one day, we do the rest.
Permits + Inspection
City permit pulled, inspector scheduled, sign-off closed out. You get the permit closeout for resale — bypassed-permit panels can kill a sale.
EV-Ready Sizing
Every panel upgrade sized for future EV charger, heat pump, and induction range — load calc included. Next install is plug-and-play.
Federal Pacific / Zinsco
We swap these documented fire-risk panels weekly. Insurance carriers flag them at renewal; we fix the underlying problem.
Branded Circuit Labels
Every circuit labeled by room, every panel directory typed (not handwritten). Future you will thank past you.
Panel Upgrade Questions
How long does a panel upgrade actually take?
For most residential upgrades (100A → 200A): one full day. Power is off from approximately 9am to 5pm, with PG&E reconnect later that afternoon. Federal Pacific swaps and sub-panel adds typically finish even faster — 4-6 hours.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in the Bay Area?
Standard 100A → 200A residential upgrade ranges $2,800 – $4,500 depending on access, distance from PG&E service, and whether your meter needs replacement. Federal Pacific / Zinsco swaps usually $2,200 – $3,500. We provide written fixed-price quotes before any work starts.
Will my power be off all day?
Yes — the home is fully de-energized from when PG&E pulls the meter (around 9am) until they reset it after our work passes city inspection (typically 4-5pm). We coordinate the window in advance so you can plan: empty the freezer if needed, charge devices overnight, etc.
Do you handle the PG&E paperwork?
Completely. Service application, load letter, meter pull and reset scheduling, and any required engineering submittal — all on us. You don't talk to PG&E.
My panel is Federal Pacific. Is it really dangerous?
Yes. FPE Stab-Lok breakers have a documented failure rate — they often won't trip under overload, which is the breaker's entire safety job. Most home insurance carriers flag FPE panels at policy renewal. We replace them with new UL-listed equipment.
Will an upgrade require permits?
Yes — every panel replacement requires a city building permit + electrical inspection. We pull the permit ($300-500 city fee, included in your quote), schedule inspection, and close it out. You get the permit closeout for your records (important for resale).
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Often, yes — most 1980s-2000s homes have 100A or 125A service which is fully loaded with existing appliances. Adding a 48A EV charger usually requires an upgrade to 200A. We do a load calculation at the on-site assessment to tell you for sure.
What's the warranty on a panel upgrade?
Our workmanship is warrantied for 12 months. Eaton/Square D/Siemens panels carry manufacturer warranties of 10-25 years on the panel and 5-10 years on breakers. We give you all paperwork.
Get in Touch
Ready to Upgrade Your Panel?
Free on-site assessment with a fixed-price quote. Call (650) 550-0719 or request a quote — we respond within 2 hours.
Free estimates · Troubleshooting $90/hr · Safety inspection pricing — ask our team
(650) 550-0719