How Long Does a Panel Upgrade Take? Your Complete Timeline Guide
Wondering how long does a panel upgrade take? At farashi electric, we handle everything—from planning and permitting to electrical panel upgrade in Los Angeles—in just a single day for standard jobs, and up to two days for more complex scenarios. This detailed guide breaks down every step, helping you set clear expectations, avoid surprises, and get your system upgraded efficiently and safely.
What Affects How Long Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Take?
- Size and complexity: A basic swap usually completes in 4–8 hours with two technicians . Add rewiring or relocation, and it can span multiple days
- Panel amperage: Installing a 200-amp service typically needs one workday (6–10 hours)
- Pre-existing wiring condition: Old or damaged wiring adds extra time for electrical rewiring in Los Angeles.
- Location & permits: Moving the panel or dealing with city inspections extends the timeline. Surface-mounted work often wraps in a day; flush-mounted may require two workdays plus inspections.
Standard Timeline for a Typical Upgrade
- Pre-Work Planning (Few Days in Advance)
- Site survey to confirm panel size, circuit load, and structural access.
- Permit filing and scheduling—essential for code compliance and city inspections.
- Day 1: Panel Upgrade Installation (4–10 Hours)
- Main power shutoff and panel removal.
- Electrical panel upgrade in Los Angeles begins—installing breakers, bus bars, and grounding rods per NEC.
- System testing and electrical troubleshooting in Los Angeles for load balancing.
- Clean-up, service tag installation, and restoration of electricity.
- Day 2 (If Needed): Finish & Inspection
- For flush-mounted or relocated panels, cosmetic finishes (patched walls, stucco). A second-day inspection by the city may be needed
- Final Inspection & Handoff
- Inspector approval, city tag placement, and handoff walkthrough.
- Scope summary: 8–10 hours typical for one day; two days for complex upgrades like a 200-amp flush mount with rewiring.
Panel Upgrade with EV Charger: What to Expect
Planning for a future ev charger Installation in Los Angeles?
- Add 1–2 hours for panel capacity checks and load calculations.
- Potentially upgrade wiring to allow for a 200-amp service—adds 2–4 hours + permit/inspection time.
When It Takes Longer: Watch for These Factors
- A. Complete Rewiring: Extensive rewiring adds 4–12+ hours.
- B. Panel Relocation: Moving a panel (e.g., garage to utility area) may add full additional workday.
- C. Inspection Scheduling: City timing can delay final approval (24 hours to a week).
- D. Unexpected Issues: Aging wiring, damaged conduits, or tight panel spaces can stretch timelines.
Why Choose farashi electric?
- Experienced technicians: Smooth, one-day upgrades in typical homes.
- Advanced troubleshooting tools reduce delays.
- One-stop service: Panel upgrade, electrical rewiring in Los Angeles, and complete system tests—kept in-house.
- Transparent scheduling: You’ll know exactly how long your job will take—and we deliver accordingly.
FAQs
Roughly 4–8 hours with two technicians
Typically one working day (8–10 hours) for modern upgrades.
Standard range: 6–10 hours . Allocate a full day to account for prep and cleanup.
Standard inspections may be needed, usually within 24 hours. Complex setups (e.g., flush mount, relocation) may require multi-day approval.