Panel Upgrade — Your Business Electrical

— PROCESS

five-step protocol.

Site visit

Load calculation, panel inspection, photos, and a written scope of work.

≤ 45 min · free

Permit

Filed on our master license. City turnaround averages 3 business days.

3 days avg.

Utility coord.

Schedule the meter pull with the utility — typically a 4-hr power-out window.

1–2 wk lead

Install day

2-electrician crew + apprentice. Swap, terminate, label, photograph.

4–6 hrs

Inspection

City inspector signs off. We provide a digital sign-off packet for your records.

2–5 days

— STANDARD SPEC

200a build sheet.

Component

Spec

Service entrance cable

4/0 AL SER

Mast / weatherhead

2" rigid GRC

Meter base

200A · ringless

Main panel

Square D QO 40-sp

Main breaker

QO 2P 200A · 22 kAIC

Bus bar

Solid copper

Surge protection

Type 2 SPD · 50 kA

Ground rods

2× 5/8" Cu · ≤ 25Ω

Branch circuit class

Wire / breaker

Lighting

14 AWG · 15A

Receptacles (general)

12 AWG · 20A

Kitchen / bath GFCI

12 AWG · 20A GFCI

Laundry / dishwasher

10 AWG · 30A

Range

8 AWG · 40A

Dryer

10 AWG · 30A

A/C condenser

8 AWG · 40A

EV charger (L2)

6 AWG · 50A

what's included.

// included in price

Load calculation report incl.
City permit fee incl.
Utility coordination incl.
2-man crew + apprentice incl.
Square D QO 40-space panel incl.
Type 2 surge protector incl.
Copper ground bonding upgrade incl.
Final inspection coord. incl.
10-yr workmanship warranty incl.

// often added (priced separately)

Service mast replacement + $480
Meter base swap + $320
Sub-panel (garage / ADU) + $1,400
Whole-home SPD upgrade + $560
Generator interlock kit + $620
Smart panel (Span / Lumin) + $3,200
Aluminum branch pigtailing + $35/device
Drywall patch (per opening) + $90
After-hours surcharge (8p–6a) + 35%

panel faq.

How long is the power out during a panel swap?

Typically 3–4 hours during the meter-pull window. We coordinate the timing with the utility and notify you the day prior.

Why do I need to upgrade from a Federal Pacific or Zinsco?

Both panels have known failure modes (FPE breakers fail to trip; Zinsco bus bars corrode). Insurance carriers increasingly require replacement on either.

Do I need a 200A service?

If you have or plan to add an EV charger, heat pump, induction range, or hot tub — likely yes. We run the load calc during the site visit and recommend the right size.

Will my walls be damaged?

For a panel swap, no — work is contained at the existing panel location. Drywall patching is only relevant on rewires, and is included in those scopes.

What's the workmanship warranty?

10 years on installation labor, plus the manufacturer warranty on the panel and breakers (typically 10 years on Square D QO).

100A → 200A.
signed off.