Electrical Panel Upgrades in Seattle

Yes — power is shut off at the meter during the panel swap, typically for 4–8 hours. We coordinate with you to schedule on a day that minimizes disruption.

Yes, always. Panel replacement is a permitted electrical project in Seattle and throughout Washington State. We pull the permit and coordinate inspection.

Most standard residential panel replacements are completed in one day. Complex service upgrades or coordination with the utility may take longer.

A load assessment of your home, the permit, the new panel and breakers, whole-house surge protection at the panel (required on new and replacement panels under Seattle's current code, and included as standard), moving your existing circuits over, labeling the panel, and coordinating the final inspection. What we quote is what you pay.

First, a site visit to look at the existing panel, the service size, and what you plan to add, such as an EV charger, a heat pump or a kitchen remodel. You get a written estimate. We pull the permit and, if the service size is changing, coordinate with the utility. On the day, power is shut off at the meter, the old panel comes out, the new one goes in with your circuits moved over, and power is restored. The final inspection follows.

Whether it's a like-for-like replacement or a larger service (going to 200A, for example), the condition of the existing wiring and grounding, whether the panel is being relocated, the utility's requirements for a service change, and any code updates the work triggers. You get the full scope in a written estimate before any work starts.

Not always. Many homes can support a 40–48A Level 2 charger without an upgrade; it depends on the panel size and the existing load. We run a load calculation before recommending anything. If an upgrade is needed, we handle it together with the new circuit as one project.

Yes, but the power will be off for part of the day, typically 4–8 hours. Plan for no heat, refrigerator, internet or garage door opener while the swap happens. Many people choose to work somewhere else that day.

Have it evaluated. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels are associated with breaker failure and fire risk, and in most cases replacement is the recommendation. It's a common reason for a panel upgrade even when the home doesn't need more capacity.