We handle LADBS permits, run a professional load calculation (EV included), and finish most upgrades in 1 day after approval. Licensed & insured. Free on-site estimate — we come to you.
- 1-day completion after permit
- LADBS permit & inspection handled
- EV-ready load calculation
- Clean work & full cleanup
- Labeled circuits & documentation
Nine Signs You Need a Panel Upgrade
Red Flag | Why It’s Serious |
Breakers trip when the microwave and toaster run together | Indicates load > 80 % of panel rating |
Flickering lights during AC start-up | Voltage drop from undersized feeder |
Warm breaker face or buzzing | Loose lugs or degraded bus bar |
Installing a hot tub, EV charger, or ADU | Each demands up to 60 amps |
Aluminum branch wiring | Needs torque-checked lugs or copper pigtails |
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or split-bus panel | Documented fire history |
Fewer than 10 spare breaker spaces | Limits future circuits |
Panel older than 30 years | Out-of-date grounding & bonding |
You still have screw-in fuses | Not NEC 2023 compliant |
Pro tip: A service panel upgrade often qualifies for California’s Energy Smart Home Rebate—ask our staff to file the paperwork for you.
Cost Drivers You Control
- Distance to meter: Each extra foot of 4/0 copper adds ~$6.
- Wall type: Stucco penetrations require patch & paint.
- Combo projects: Bundling EV Charger Installation in Los Angeles or landscape lighting in Los Angeles with the panel swap saves 10–15 % in labor.
Hidden Savings
- Home-insurance discounts average 5 % for panels less than 20 years old (State Farm 2024 survey).
- A Zillow study shows upgraded electrical boosts resale value by $2 per sq ft in Southern CA.
The Farashi Electric 7-Step Upgrade Process
- Load Calculation & IR Scan – We measure real-time amp draw and pinpoint hot spots.
- City Permit Pull – Paperwork, plan check, and LADWP coordination—handled in-house.
- Temporary Power Setup – Keeps your fridge and Wi-Fi alive.
- Old Panel Demolition – Safe asbestos & lead protocol for pre-1980 boxes.
- Install “Best Electrical Panel Upgrade” Components
- 200-amp NEMA 3R main with copper bus, surge protector, AFCI/GFCI breakers.
- For load-side interconnections, follow the current NEC section numbering adopted locally (e.g., 2020 NEC 705.12(B)(3); clarifications added in the 2023 edition). Your final configuration (bus rating, OCPD positions, sum of 125% inverter output + main OCPD ≤ 120% of bus) must satisfy your AHJ’s requirements.
- Grounding & Bonding – Dual 5/8-in copper rods + cold-water bond.
- Final Inspection & Clean-Up – White-glove service; we even label every circuit.
Need whole-home rewires? See our Wiring and Rewiring Services in Los Angeles page.
📞 Phone Number: (267) 248‑5496
Address: 5400 Newcastle Avenue Encino ca 91316
Need a Safe, Code-Compliant Panel Upgrade?
Dedicated 200A/400A service upgrades, clean labeling, permits & final inspection handled.
Pricing & Estimates (Los Angeles)
Upfront pricing after load calculation & permit check — Free on-site estimate.
Every home is different. We inspect the existing service, calculate load (EV, HVAC, appliances), and confirm permit requirements before giving a firm quote.
Typical timeline: most panel upgrades are completed in 1 day after permit approval.
What drives the price?
- Service size & utility work (100A → 200A, overhead vs. underground)
- Meter-main combo vs. separate meter + main breaker
- Feeder runs, sub-panel additions, new circuits, AFCI/GFCI requirements
- Trenching/conduit, grounding & bonding upgrades
- Panel brand/space (Siemens, Eaton, Square D), copper vs. aluminum conductors
- Permit & inspection scope (LADBS / local AHJ)
What’s included with Farashi Electric
- Permit handling & inspection scheduling
- Clean, code-compliant installation (NEC + local code)
- Labeling every circuit and panel documentation
- Site protection & full cleanup
- Written warranty on workmanship and parts (brand-backed)
Get a Free On-Site Estimate (24–48h)Or Send Photos of Your Panel for a quick pre-assessment.
Sample Case Studies
Encino (91316): 100A to 200A upgrade, EV-ready; new grounding, GFCI/AFCI updates. Passed inspection same day.
- Burbank: Meter-main combo replacement + relocation to meet clearance; added 60A sub-panel for ADU.
- West Hollywood: Service upgrade with load calc for Tesla Wall Connector; existing sub-panel re-terminated and labeled.
Specs That Define the Best Electrical Panel Upgrade
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Copper Bus Bar | 40 % cooler under identical load than aluminum. |
| 40+ Spaces | Accommodates battery storage inverter + heat pump. |
| Integrated Surge Protection | Shields $5K worth of electronics for <$200. |
| Smart Breakers | App visibility, energy monitoring, remote shut-off. |
| Load Shedding Module | Automatically prioritizes HVAC over EV charging. |
Future-Proofing Checklist
- Ask for spare conduit to garage for electrical panel upgrade near me solar and EV expansion.
- Specify 4/0 copper service entrance conductors for up-to-300-amp readiness.
- Opt for combo meter-main to save wall space.
Beyond the Main Panel—Bundle & Save
A residential electrical panel upgrade is the perfect moment to add complementary projects and other electrical services in LA:
- EV Charger Installation in Los Angeles – Up to 30 % federal tax credit.
- Landscape lighting in Los Angeles – Low-voltage transformers fit neatly beside the new panel.
- Electrical troubleshooting in Los Angeles – We diagnose historic knob-and-tube circuits before reconnecting them.
Combined visits cut truck-roll fees and fast-track LADWP green-power incentives.
Rebates & Permits
Electrical permits are required in the City of Los Angeles. Many residential panel replacements proceed via express/counter permits; complex scopes may require plan review. Always verify with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and schedule a final inspection before energizing.
See: LADBS Electrical Permits and Plan Review & Permitting pages.
A safe, future-ready electrical system starts with a panel upgrade engineered for today’s code and tomorrow’s tech. By partnering with farashi electric, you lock in transparent pricing, five-year workmanship warranty, and white-glove customer care recognized across electrical services in LA. Ready to power up? Click the button below for a free, same-day virtual walk-through—or share this guide with a neighbor who still has a creaky fuse box. Let’s spark a safer Los Angeles together!
- Westwood
- Malibu
- Northridge
- Beverly Hills
- Simi Valley
- Encino
- North Hollywood
- West Hollywood
- Woodland Hills
- Calabasas
- Glendale
- Santa Monica
- Burbank
- Valencia
- Westlake
What Our Clients Say
Panel Upgrade FAQ: Common Questions & Expert Answers
A replacement swaps like-for-like ampacity; an upgrade increases capacity and spaces.
California requires a C-10 license for contractors performing electrical work for hire. Owner-builders in some jurisdictions may perform certain work on their own homes with permits and inspection. For safety and compliance—especially with service equipment—most homeowners choose a licensed C-10. Check your City of LA / LA County rules first.
Typical outage is 4–6 hours; we schedule around your family’s routine.
No. Ampacity is capacity, not consumption. Your usage habits drive the bill.
Farashi Electric secure permits in 3 business days and schedule installs within two weeks city-wide.
Yes. On-site estimate and load calculation are free in our service area.
No—our goal is same-day cut-over. If utility coordination is needed, we plan to minimize downtime.
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