Services
Electrical panel upgrades in Los Angeles
Older LA homes often run on a 60A or 100A panel. That's not enough for an EV charger, a heat pump, central air or an ADU. We size the new panel to what you plan to add, pull the permit, coordinate the utility and get it inspected.
Prefer to schedule? Book an estimate
- CSLB Lic. #1102592
- Bonded & insured
- Se habla español
Call us if any of this sounds familiar
- Breakers trip when the AC and the dryer run at the same time
- You're adding an EV charger, heat pump, electric range, solar, a battery or an ADU
- The panel is a Zinsco, Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok), Pushmatic or Challenger
- There's a fuse box, or the panel is rated 60A or 100A
- You see rust, scorch marks, or a breaker face that's warm
- An inspector, insurer or solar company told you the panel has to go
What's included
- Load calculation so the panel fits what you plan to add
- New main panel, breakers and grounding, labeled when we finish
- LADBS or city permit and the final inspection
- LADWP, SCE or Anaheim Public Utilities coordination for the disconnect and reconnect
- Whole-house surge protection, which the current California Electrical Code requires on new residential service panels
- Patch-ready opening around the panel for your stucco or drywall person
How it goes
- 1
Call
Tell us what you're adding and what you have now. A photo of the panel helps.
- 2
We look and quote
We check the panel, the service drop and the load. You get a written price before anything starts.
- 3
Permit and meter spot
We pull the electrical permit and request the utility's meter spot so the new panel goes where they'll accept it.
- 4
Install day
Power is off for most of the day. We set the new panel, move the circuits over, and the utility reconnects.
- 5
Inspection
The city inspects, the utility releases, and we walk you through the labeled panel.
Permits and the utility
A panel upgrade always needs an electrical permit and an inspection. In the City of Los Angeles that's LADBS. A standard single-family panel upgrade usually qualifies for an LADBS Express Permit, which is issued online the same day. Other cities (Anaheim, Burbank, Glendale, Lancaster, Jurupa Valley) have their own building departments. We pull the permit under our license, not yours.
The utility has its own step. LADWP and SCE each want to approve the new meter location before the work. That visit is called a meter spot. Anaheim Public Utilities does the same. If your service rating goes up, the utility may also need to change its own equipment. We make these calls so you don't have to.
In LADWP territory, new residential panels are expected to be future-ready: able to take an overhead or underground feed and rated up to 400A. We quote panels that meet that so you're not buying a panel twice.
How long it takes
The install itself is usually one working day. What takes the time is the utility: the meter spot visit, scheduling the disconnect and the final release can add days to a few weeks depending on the utility and the season. We'll tell you where you are in that line, and we won't promise a date the utility hasn't given us.
Expect to be without power during the install day. Plan for the fridge and for anyone in the house who depends on medical equipment.
What moves the price
We quote in writing after we see the panel. These are the things that change the number:
- Amperage: 100A, 200A or 400A
- Overhead or underground service, and whether the utility's side has to change
- Moving the panel versus replacing it in place
- The number of circuits, and whether any need to be rerouted
- Stucco, brick or siding around the panel
- Grounding that has to be brought up to code
- Subpanels or an EV circuit done at the same time
Rebates: some utilities offer money toward a panel upgrade when it's tied to an EV charger. Programs open and close. Ask us what's available for your address when you call.
Permitted work
Recent panel upgrades
In 2024 we permitted and finished a 400A main panel upgrade on a home in Mid-City, Los Angeles, and a 200A main panel upgrade with an EV charger circuit in West Hills. Both passed LADBS inspection and were released by LADWP.
See more of our workWhere we do this work
Based in Mid-City Los Angeles. We drive to jobs across LA County, Orange County, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, the Antelope Valley and the edge of the Inland Empire.
All service areasQuestions people ask us
Do I need a 200A panel for an EV charger?
Not always. A Level 2 charger on a 40A or 50A circuit fits on many 100A panels if the rest of the load is light. We run the numbers first. If it's close, a load-management device can let the charger share capacity instead of upgrading. If you're also adding AC, a heat pump or an ADU, 200A is usually the right call.
Will I lose power during the upgrade?
Yes, for most of the install day. The utility disconnects, we do the work, and the utility reconnects after the release. We'll tell you the plan ahead of time.
Can I do a panel upgrade without a permit?
No. A service upgrade without a permit is illegal in California, the utility won't reconnect without a release, and it surfaces at resale or on an insurance claim. We don't do unpermitted panel work.
What is a meter spot?
A visit from the utility to approve where the new meter and panel will sit before anyone starts. LADWP and SCE both do it; LADWP's is free. We request it as part of the job.
Is a Zinsco or Federal Pacific panel really dangerous?
These brands have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip. If you have one, we'll show you what we see and recommend replacement. You don't have to decide on the phone.
Do you add surge protection?
The current California Electrical Code requires a whole-house surge protective device on new residential service panels, so it's part of a code-compliant upgrade.
Can you add the EV circuit at the same time?
Yes, and it costs less to do together, because the permit, the open wall and the trip are shared.
Related services
BrightPath Electric · Los Angeles, CA 90016 · (714) 515-0658 · Open 24 hours
Got an electrical problem? Call now.
We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. English or Spanish.