Electrical Panel Upgrade in Los Angeles
An electrical panel upgrade is the project that makes every other one possible — the EV charger, the solar system, the induction range. Collective Solar upgrades main panels across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley from our Northridge office: load calculation, permit, utility coordination, and inspection, all handled for you.
Why so many Valley homes need a bigger panel
Most homes in Northridge, Van Nuys, Granada Hills, and the rest of the Valley were built before 1990, and many still run on the original 100-amp panel — some older homes on 60. That was plenty when the big loads were a fridge, a range, and a window AC.
The loads have changed. A Level 2 EV charger alone typically needs a 40–60 amp circuit. Add central air, an induction range, a heat-pump water heater, or a solar system with battery backup, and a 100-amp panel simply runs out of room — either physically (no breaker slots left) or electrically (the load calculation doesn't pass). A 200-amp panel is today's standard for a home that's electrifying.
Signs your electrical panel needs upgrading
- Breakers trip when two big appliances run at once — the AC plus the dryer, or the microwave plus a space heater.
- Your panel is rated 100 amps or less and you're adding an EV charger, solar, or electric appliances.
- You still have a fuse box, or a panel brand that inspectors and insurers routinely flag, such as Zinsco or Federal Pacific.
- There are no open breaker slots left for new circuits.
- The panel buzzes, the face feels warm, or lights flicker when large loads kick on.
- A home inspection, insurance renewal, or solar installer flagged the panel as undersized.
Any one of these is worth a look. The buzzing-and-warm kind is worth a look this week — call (323) 968-5244 and we'll get eyes on it.
What does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
For a typical 100-to-200 amp main panel upgrade in the LA area, most projects land in the low-to-mid four figures including the permit. Here's what moves the number up or down:
| Cost driver | What moves the number |
|---|---|
| Service equipment | A like-for-like panel swap is the base case. If the meter, the service mast, or the utility's overhead or underground service has to move or be upsized, the job grows. |
| Panel location and wall | Stucco repair, relocating the panel, or bringing old grounding and bonding up to current code adds labor. |
| Circuit count | More existing circuits means more wires to land in the new panel — and sometimes a subpanel to organize them. |
| Jurisdiction and utility | Permit fees and utility coordination differ between LADWP and SCE territory, and between City of LA and cities like Burbank and Glendale. |
Beware of phone quotes. Any real number requires seeing your panel, your service, and your loads — which is exactly what our free estimate covers. The quote we give you after the site visit is the number you pay.
How the upgrade works, permits included
- Load calculation and firm quote. We document your existing panel and loads, size the new service (200 amps for most homes), and quote the whole job.
- Permit. In the City of Los Angeles — Northridge included — that's LADBS. Burbank, Glendale, and other independent cities use their own building departments. We file it either way.
- Utility scheduling. Swapping a main panel means the utility disconnects and reconnects your service. We coordinate the appointment with LADWP or SCE so the outage lands on install day, not on a surprise date.
- Install day. Most upgrades are done in a single day. Expect several hours without power while the new panel goes in.
- Inspection and sign-off. The city inspector verifies the work, the utility restores permanent service, and you get the finalized permit — the paper trail that matters when you sell or insure the home.
Planning solar or an EV charger? Start with the panel
The panel is the foundation, and doing it first — or in the same project — beats doing it twice. When we design a solar installation or an EV charger installation, the load calculation tells us up front whether your panel can take it. If it can't, we fold the upgrade into one permit package, one scheduling effort, and one crew visit wherever the jurisdiction allows.
One honest note: not every solar or charger project needs a new panel. If your existing panel passes the load calculation, we'll tell you so and save you the money.
Browse all our services or request a free estimate and we'll tell you which projects your panel can handle today.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost in Los Angeles?
Most 100-to-200 amp main panel upgrades in the LA area land in the low-to-mid four figures including the permit. The price rises if the meter or service mast must move, if the utility service needs upsizing, or if old wiring and grounding have to be brought up to code. A free on-site estimate turns that range into a firm number.
Do I need a panel upgrade to go solar?
Not always. It depends on your panel's rating, its busbar capacity, and the size of the solar system. The load calculation we run during solar design gives the answer, and if your existing panel passes, we will not sell you an upgrade you don't need.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
The installation itself is usually one day, with several hours of planned power outage. Start to finish — quote, permit, utility scheduling, install, inspection — typically takes a few weeks depending on your city and utility.
Will I lose power during the upgrade?
Yes, for several hours on install day while the utility disconnects service and the new panel goes in. We coordinate the disconnect and reconnect in advance so the outage is planned, short, and on a date you chose.
What size panel should I upgrade to?
200 amps is the standard for most LA homes today, and it comfortably covers an EV charger, solar with battery storage, and electric appliances. Larger homes with multiple EVs or an ADU sometimes justify more, which the load calculation will show.
Find out what your panel can handle
Free on-site estimate: we check your panel, run the load calculation, and give you a firm quote — whether you're fixing trips or planning solar and an EV.