Panel Upgrades
Panel upgrades & replacements in San Luis Obispo County
100-amp to 200-amp panel upgrades, replacements, and service upgrades for older homes, remodels, EV chargers, and new electrical loads. Permitted, inspected, and installed by owner Adam Keif.
California C-10 licensed · Insured · Serving SLO, Atascadero & Paso Robles
Signs you need a panel upgrade or replacement
You might need a service upgrade or panel replacement if:
- Your breakers trip regularly, or the panel feels warm or buzzes
- You have a fuse box or an older panel brand with known reliability issues
- You're adding a major electrical load: EV charger, heat pump, air conditioning, hot tub, solar, battery backup, or a remodel
- Your insurance company or PG&E flagged your panel
- Your home still runs on a 100-amp service and you're out of room
- The panel is 25 to 30-plus years old and has never been touched
If a couple of those sound familiar, it's worth a look before it becomes a bigger problem.
Do you need a panel upgrade or a panel replacement?
Not every home needs more electrical capacity. Some homeowners need a larger service, upgrading from 100 amps to 200 amps to support added loads. Others need an old or unsafe panel replaced at the same capacity because the existing equipment is worn out or no longer serviceable.
Some jobs are both.
I'll evaluate your existing system and tell you exactly what yours needs and why, before any work starts.
How much does a 200-amp panel upgrade cost in San Luis Obispo?
A typical 100-amp to 200-amp residential electrical panel upgrade in San Luis Obispo County often falls in the $3,500 to $5,500 range.
What moves the price:
- Current vs. new service size. 100-amp to 200-amp is the most common upgrade
- Whether the meter and mast need work. Sometimes the utility side needs upgrading too
- Panel location and access. A tight or awkward spot adds labor
- Condition of existing wiring. Older homes sometimes need a few circuits brought up to code
- Permit and utility coordination. Included in the quote, not added later
You get a written quote before any work begins. If something unexpected turns up behind the wall, we talk about it before I touch it.
Do you need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
One of the most common reasons homeowners upgrade a panel is to add an EV charger. A Level 2 charger is a big continuous load, and a lot of older 100-amp panels in this area don't have room for it.
If that's why you're here, I can quote the panel upgrade and the charger install together so you see the full picture and only schedule one project.
See EV charger installation →Other loads that often trigger a panel upgrade
Beyond EV chargers, the panel conversation comes up whenever a home adds a major electrical load:
- Heat pumps and air conditioning. High-demand HVAC draws more than an older panel often has available
- Solar and battery backup. Connecting solar or a home battery system typically requires panel evaluation and sometimes an upgrade
- Hot tubs and pools. Dedicated high-amperage circuits
- Kitchen and appliance remodels. New appliances and added circuits on an already-loaded panel
If you're planning a project that touches any of these, it's worth starting with a panel assessment.
Older or problem panels
Some older homes have panels from manufacturers such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco. If you're not sure what you have, or your panel is showing any of the symptoms above, send me a photo or schedule an inspection and I'll help you understand your options.
I evaluate older panels based on their actual condition and your home's electrical needs, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Permits, PG&E, and utility coordination
A service upgrade always requires a permit. Many upgrades also require coordination with PG&E, especially when the service equipment or meter connection changes, depending on the existing service and property setup.
I pull the permit, schedule the utility disconnect and reconnect, coordinate the inspection, and make sure the new panel is signed off to code. I'll explain what to expect from PG&E before we start so there are no scheduling surprises.
Unpermitted electrical work can void your homeowner's insurance and create problems at resale. This part isn't optional and I don't cut corners on it.
Serving older homes across SLO County
Many homes throughout San Luis Obispo County, including communities like Los Osos, Morro Bay, Atascadero, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo, were built with smaller electrical services that don't meet today's demands. Homes from the 1960s and 70s especially were wired for a fraction of what a modern household runs.
If your home is in that range and you've never had the panel looked at, it's usually worth knowing what you have.
Why homeowners hire Keif Electric
- You hire me, not a crew. The person who quotes your panel is the person who installs it.
- Licensed and insured. California C-10 electrical contractor, CA# 1152084, with liability insurance.
- Honest about scope. If you don't need a full upgrade, I'll tell you. If you do, I'll show you why.
- Clean, labeled work. The new panel is neat, every circuit labeled, so the next person who opens it knows what's what.
Recent panel work: photos coming soon
How much does a 200-amp panel upgrade cost?
A typical 100-amp to 200-amp residential panel upgrade in SLO County runs $3,500 to $5,500 depending on your current service, wiring condition, and whether the meter or mast needs work. You get a written quote before anything starts.
What's the difference between a panel upgrade and a panel replacement?
An upgrade increases your service capacity, for example 100 amps to 200 amps. A replacement swaps an old or unsafe panel for a modern, code-compliant one at the same capacity. Some jobs are both. I'll tell you which yours is.
What size panel should I upgrade to?
Most homeowners upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps, which provides enough capacity for modern loads like EV chargers, heat pumps, and updated appliances. The right size depends on your home's actual usage and what you're planning to add.
Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?
Yes. Service upgrades require a permit and typically PG&E coordination for the disconnect and reconnect. I handle the permit, utility process, and inspection.
Does PG&E need to be involved in a panel upgrade?
Often yes, especially when the service equipment or meter connection changes. I handle that coordination and explain what to expect before work begins.
Can you replace a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?
Yes. I'll evaluate your panel's condition and your home's needs and walk you through whether replacement makes sense and what it involves.
Do I need to upgrade my panel to install an EV charger?
Sometimes. Older 100-amp panels often can't handle a Level 2 charger's load. I check capacity before quoting, and if an upgrade is needed I'll quote both together.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most standard upgrades are a one-day job, though power is off for part of it and utility coordination can affect scheduling. I'll give you a realistic timeline with the quote.
What areas do you serve for panel upgrades?
San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles, and surrounding SLO County. Not sure I reach you? Call and ask.
Free estimates.
No surprises.
Free estimates. Licensed, insured, permitted. Owner-operated by Adam.