Electrical Panel Upgrade

Q: How long does an electrical panel upgrade take?

Most residential upgrades take 6-8 hours from start to finish, with power off for approximately 4-6 hours during the actual installation. Complex upgrades involving service line replacement or extensive code compliance work may extend to a full day.

Q: Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Bastrop?

Yes. Electrical panel upgrades require permits in Bastrop and throughout Texas. Permits ensure the work meets safety codes and provide documentation for future home sales. We handle the permit application and inspection scheduling as part of our service.

Q: Will upgrading my panel increase my electricity bill?

No. Your panel distributes power. It doesn’t consume it. Your bill reflects the electricity you actually use, not your panel’s capacity. In some cases, modern panels with secure connections may slightly reduce energy waste compared to corroded older panels.

Q: Should I upgrade to 200 or 300 amps?

For most homes in the Bastrop area, 200 amps is sufficient. We perform a load calculation based on your actual electrical usage and planned additions before recommending a panel size. If your needs truly require 300 amps, we’ll explain why. But we won’t recommend it just because it’s a bigger number.

An electrical panel upgrade replaces your home’s main electrical distribution center to increase capacity, improve safety, and meet modern power demands. For homeowners in Bastrop, TX, most panel upgrades involve replacing outdated 60-100 amp panels with 200 amp systems, a process that typically takes 6-8 hours depending on your home’s requirements and the complexity of the installation.

Signs You May Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Your electrical panel distributes power to every circuit in your home and protects against overloads. Homes built before 1990 often have panels that simply can’t handle today’s electrical loads. If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to have your panel evaluated:

Breakers trip frequently, especially when running multiple appliances at the same time
Lights flicker when your HVAC, dryer, or other large appliances kick on
The panel feels warm to the touch or you notice a burnt smell near it
You still have a 60 or 100 amp panel that hasn’t been updated
You’re planning to add EV charging, a hot tub, new HVAC, or a workshop with heavy equipment
You see rust, corrosion, or damaged breakers inside the panel enclosure

If your home has a Federal Pacific Electric panel (manufactured between 1950 and 1980) or a Zinsco panel from a similar era, replacement should be a priority. Both brands have documented failure rates and are flagged by home inspectors.

The most important difference in our troubleshooting and installation services is having direct access to the 50 years of experience our owner shares via phone, photo, and video.

Jeff McEntyre, Journeyman Service Technician

What Does a Panel Upgrade Involve?

Knowing what to expect helps you prepare and minimize disruption. A typical residential panel upgrade follows these steps:

Initial assessment. We evaluate your current panel, calculate your amperage needs based on existing loads and planned additions, and inspect wiring condition.
Permit acquisition. We pull the necessary permits from local authorities, which are required in Bastrop and throughout Texas.
Power disconnect. The utility company temporarily disconnects power to your home.
Panel swap. We remove the outdated panel, install and ground the new panel, then reconnect and label all circuits.
Power restoration and testing. The utility restores power and we verify every circuit is functioning correctly.
Municipal inspection. A city or county electrical inspector verifies code compliance. We schedule this as part of your service and address any concerns at no additional cost.

Your power will be off for approximately 4-6 hours during the installation work. Charge your devices ahead of time and make arrangements for any medical equipment or refrigerated medications that can’t tolerate the outage.

How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost?

Panel upgrade costs vary based on several factors specific to your home. The main things that influence the final price:

Panel amperage. 200 amp panels are standard for most homes. 300 or 400 amp panels and meter racks cost more and are typically needed for larger properties or properties with workshops running heavy equipment.
Service line condition. If your utility service line needs replacement to handle increased amperage, that adds to the project scope. This is common when upgrading from very old 60 amp service.
Panel location and access. Difficult access or relocating the panel increases labor time.
Number of circuits and breakers. More circuits mean more breaker installations and connection time.
Code compliance updates. Bringing older homes up to current electrical code may require additional grounding work, arc-fault circuit interrupters, or ground-fault protection.

We don’t charge enough to offer free quotes because we believe in honest pricing for the actual work required. When you call for an estimate, we assess your specific situation and provide a transparent breakdown before any work begins. We tell the truth about what you need instead of what would maximize our profit.

Pay it Forward is our approach in every circumstance of service. We have the experience, and apply it to your need, resulting in electrical success. That is the simple part. We present you with an invoice representing our learned, honest amount of needed funds to continue service to others in your community.

Don McEntyre, Master Electrician and Owner

Can You Upgrade a Panel Without Rewiring the House?

In most cases, yes. The existing wiring can typically connect to the new panel if it meets current safety standards and isn’t damaged. We disconnect circuits from the old panel, install the new unit with properly sized circuit breakers, and reconnect your existing wiring.

Some situations do require additional wiring work. Aluminum wiring common in homes built between 1965 and 1973 may need special connections. Knob-and-tube wiring found in pre-1950 homes should be replaced for safety. If we identify deterioration, rodent damage, or code violations during the inspection, we’ll discuss your options before proceeding.

Adding dedicated circuits for new appliances like EV chargers, hot tubs, or workshop equipment requires running new wire from the panel. This can be completed during the same service visit for efficiency.

Is a Panel Upgrade Worth It?

Safety is the primary reason. Outdated panels with failing breakers increase fire risk. The National Fire Protection Association reports that electrical failures cause tens of thousands of residential fires each year. Modern panels include arc-fault and ground-fault circuit interrupters that provide protection older systems simply don’t have.

The upgrade also increases your home’s resale value. Home inspectors flag outdated electrical panels, and buyers frequently request upgrades as a condition of sale. Installing a new panel before listing removes this obstacle.

Then there’s capacity. EV charging, tankless water heaters, home offices, barn wiring, outbuilding electrical, storage shed hookups: all of these require adequate panel capacity. Upgrading once and sizing correctly means you’re not paying for a second upgrade down the road.

Choosing the Right Panel Size

We calculate your specific needs by adding up existing loads and anticipated additions, then applying demand factors per National Electrical Code requirements. As a general guideline:

100 amp panels are only sufficient for small homes under 1,200 square feet with gas appliances and no central air.
200 amp panels are the standard for most modern homes. They handle typical residential loads including central HVAC, standard appliances, and moderate additions.
300 amp panels are for larger homes over 3,500 square feet, multiple HVAC systems, or properties with significant electrical loads.
400 amp panels with meter racks are reserved for large estates, properties with multiple structures, or commercial-scale electrical needs.

A lot of homeowners overestimate their requirements. A properly planned 200 amp service upgrade handles most residential situations, even with modern amenities. We’d rather size your panel correctly the first time than sell you capacity you don’t need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an electrical panel upgrade take?

Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Bastrop?

Will upgrading my panel increase my electricity bill?

What’s the difference between a service upgrade and a panel upgrade?

A panel upgrade replaces just the breaker box inside your home. A service upgrade includes the panel plus the service line from the utility, the weatherhead, and the meter base. Service upgrades become necessary when increasing amperage significantly or when the existing service line has deteriorated. We assess your complete system and recommend the appropriate scope.