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Panel older than 30 years | Out-of-date grounding & bonding |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.
If your panel only has a few hot breakers, loose terminations, or labeling issues, a targeted electrical panel repair in LA may solve the problem without a full upgrade—we’re happy to quote both options side by side.
Cost Drivers You Control
If you’d like a clearer ballpark before we visit, our dedicated panel upgrade cost in Los Angeles guide breaks down typical price ranges, real projects, and rebates—so you understand what’s behind the numbers, not just the final invoice.
- 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. For a deeper look at how we size your service around EV charging and large loads, see our EV charging load calculation guide for Los Angeles.
- 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.
Still worried about permits, inspectors, and LADBS paperwork? We’ve put together a dedicated panel upgrade permits and inspections guide for Los Angeles that walks you through the forms, the timeline, and what to expect on inspection day.
📞 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. For a deeper breakdown of inspection timing, utility coordination, and what your day without power actually looks like, read How Long Does a Panel Upgrade Take? before you lock in a date.
What drives the price?
For many homeowners, the biggest decision isn’t whether to upgrade—it’s how. If you’re weighing overhead vs underground service upgrades or trying to choose between a meter-main combo and a separate main breaker panel, our step-by-step guides compare safety, cost, curb appeal, and permitting so you can make the call with confidence.
- 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)
When you’re planning a full meter-main and service equipment swap—not just swapping a few breakers—our electrical panel replacements in Los Angeles guide shows real 100A-to-200A projects, typical scopes, and what inspectors look for on full replacement jobs.
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.
If you already know you want an EV-ready, 200-amp service, our 200 amp panel upgrade in Los Angeles page dives into sizing, rebate options, and what a true 200A, future-ready setup looks like in real homes across LA.
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.
Whether you’ve just ordered your first EV or you’re adding a second charger for the family, Farashi Electric can design a setup around how you actually live—not just where the car happens to park. Share a few photos of your electrical panel and driveway or garage, tell us about your driving routine, and we’ll recommend the right Level 2 EV charger, confirm if a panel upgrade is needed, factor in LADWP/SCE rebates, and give you a clear, line-by-line quote before any work starts. From simple wall-mounted chargers to bundled panel + EV charger upgrades across Los Angeles, our licensed team focuses on clean wiring, code-compliant load calculations, and future-ready capacity so you can plug in every night with confidence.
Need whole-home rewires? See our Wiring and Rewiring Services in Los Angeles page. and if you’re worried about opening up every wall, our guide on how to rewire a house without wrecking the walls shows what a low-dust, carefully planned rewire actually looks like in real Los Angeles homes.
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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