Electrical Panel Upgrade In Los Angeles
A 100 to 200 amp upgrade takes about 6 to 8 hours at your house, with the power off most of that time. The permit and the utility set the rest of the calendar, and first we check whether you need the upgrade at all.
- Est. 6–8 hours on site
- Licensed & insured · CA License #1159199
What The Job Includes
Two different jobs go by the same name. One swaps the box and its breakers and leaves the meter and the wires from the street alone. The other replaces everything up to the utility’s line, including the meter base and the mast, so LADWP or Edison has to take part. The written quote names which of the two your house needs, and why.
When you compare bids, check that each one includes the permit, the inspection and the work with the utility; one that skips them is cheaper on paper only. Each step and how long it takes.
Do You Really Need 200 Amps?
Maybe not. Utility data cited by a California efficiency group indicates that 86% of homes peak below 50 amps, even with an electric vehicle. A charger set to a lower amperage, or a load management device, can avoid the upgrade. Every panel quote we write comes with the load calculation, so you can see the reason and not only the price.
Some panels should go regardless of load. Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip. What to know about Zinsco panels.
Permit And Inspection
In the City of Los Angeles the contractor pulls an electrical permit from LADBS, which has an online process. For overhead service, LADWP confirms the meter location before the inspection. On single-phase services up to 200 amps the LADBS inspector does the final inspection for LADWP and sends the release electronically. LADWP’s guide says to allow several days for that step.
Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Long Beach have their own building departments, and some have their own utility. See locations.
How Long It Takes
| Job | Typical time on site |
|---|---|
| Replace a panel at the same amperage | 6 to 8 hours |
| Upgrade from 100 to 200 amps | 6 to 8 hours, with the power off most of that time |
| Full 200 amp service: meter base, mast, service conductors, grounding | 8 to 16 hours |
| 400 amp service | 16 to 24 hours |
| Zinsco or Federal Pacific replacement | 6 to 8 hours |
| Subpanel, 60 to 100 amps | 4 to 8 hours |
| Permit, inspection and utility release | Several weeks of paperwork in total |
Typical times for a single-family house in Los Angeles. Yours comes in writing with the price.
The work takes about 6 to 8 hours, and the house is without power for most of it. The whole process with the city and the utility takes several weeks. The wait is paperwork, not labor. We tell you which step you are in.
Rebates In 2026
- We found no LADWP rebate for panels alone when we checked in October 2026. Its EV charger rebate, up to $1,000, counts panel work as an eligible cost when it is part of a charger installation.
- Pasadena Water and Power lists $1,000 for an upgrade to 200 amps or more that includes dedicated circuits for a Level 2 charger and an electric water heater.
- Burbank Water and Power adds $750 for a panel upgrade done with a charger.
- The federal 30C credit does not apply to equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Rebate terms change. We check the current page of your utility before we quote.
Questions We Hear A Lot
Why is there no price for a panel upgrade on this page?
Because the panel is rarely the whole job. The meter, the mast, the distance to the utility’s line and what the inspector asks for change it. You get the price in writing, with the load calculation, after we see the panel or your photos.
Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel in Los Angeles?
Yes. LADBS issues the permit and inspects the work, and LADWP will not re-energize the service without the release. The contractor pulls the permit.
What is the 80% rule for electrical panels?
It comes from the electrical code: a breaker has to be rated for 125% of any continuous load, which is the same as loading a circuit to no more than 80% of its rating for loads that run three hours or more. A car charger is the usual example: a 48 amp charger needs a 60 amp circuit.
How long does a panel upgrade take in Los Angeles?
About 6 to 8 hours on site. Start to finish, with permit, inspection and the utility, plan on several weeks. Published cases in Los Angeles range from one to ten weeks.
Let’s Get Your Lights On
Call, text a photo or email us. We’ll tell you how many hours the job takes. The price comes in writing before any work starts.