ELECTRICAL PANEL REPLACEMENT
A clear plan for your next panel.
Has your insurance company asked you to replace an older electrical panel? We help homeowners across Los Gatos, San Jose, and the Bay Area replace main panels and subpanels, with a clear scope and coordination from the first notice through inspection.
Request a panel replacement estimateSTART WITH YOUR INSURANCE NOTICE
Bring the letter. We handle the coordination.
Once you receive an insurance letter, we can take care of the panel replacement process: utility coordination, local permits, inspections, and the associated paperwork and fees. Share the letter and your deadline so we can review the requirements and include the work and fees in your written estimate.
- The main panel, subpanel, or other electrical condition identified by your insurer
- Your response deadline and the proof of completion requested
- The property location and any access considerations
- Whether you also need capacity for planned electrical additions
An insurer’s replacement request does not automatically mean it will pay for the work. Confirm coverage, deadlines, and acceptable documentation with your insurer or agent.
Read Kin’s explanation of panels and insurance coverage (opens in a new tab).
We review your panel’s make, model, and condition before recommending the next steps.
REPLACEMENT OR A CAPACITY UPGRADE?
Two different scopes. One informed decision.
Replace at the same amperage
A like-for-like replacement changes the panel while keeping its amperage the same: for example, 125 amps for 125 amps. This can address the equipment named in an insurance notice without increasing your electrical service capacity.
For qualifying PG&E projects, an insurance-requested replacement may be eligible to stay in its existing location near gas equipment. We review the site and confirm eligibility with PG&E before planning around that option.
Increase electrical capacity
Going from 125 amps to 200 amps is a service upgrade. If you are planning EV charging or other electrical additions, we assess the demand before recommending whether more capacity is needed.
An upgrade needs its own utility and permit review. It may involve equipment relocation or service changes; do not assume an insurance letter allows a larger panel to stay in the same place.
PG&E eligibility is project-specific. See the PG&E Greenbook (opens in a new tab) and the gas-meter clearance question below. Other electric utilities have their own requirements.
OLDER PANELS & PRODUCT RECALLS
The make and model matter.
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok
These older panels can raise insurance concerns. CPSC’s investigation found failures in certain UL calibration tests; its closure was not a finding that the breakers were safe. That investigation should not be described as a blanket recall.
Read the CPSC notice (opens in a new tab)Zinsco & older equipment
Zinsco, including some Sylvania-branded versions, is another name insurers may flag. Share the exact wording of your notice. Brand, model, condition, and the insurer’s requirements all matter; a brand name alone is not proof of a recall.
Read the insurer’s overview (opens in a new tab)Model-specific recalls
The 2022 Square D QO Plug-on-Neutral recall covers specified products and date codes, not every Square D panel. CPSC directs affected owners to Schneider Electric for a free inspection and any required repair or replacement.
Check the official recall (opens in a new tab)Only photograph labels that are safely visible. Do not remove the protective panel cover or touch wiring to identify equipment. Leave internal inspection to a qualified electrician.
FROM THE FIRST CALL TO COMPLETION
Our team handles the whole project.
Review the situation
Discuss the notice, your existing panel, and your needs with us. A site assessment helps establish the appropriate scope and a written estimate.
We handle the approvals
We coordinate with your electric utility and local permitting authority, handle permit paperwork and associated fees, and arrange inspections. That may mean PG&E, Silicon Valley Power, or Palo Alto Utilities, depending on your property. We also plan the power interruption with you. Scheduling depends on the property and agency availability.
Complete the work and inspection
We take care of the replacement and inspection process. Tell us what completion documents your insurer requests, and retain the invoice and applicable permit and inspection records for its review.
Local requirements vary. See San Jose’s electrical permit guidance (opens in a new tab) for an example.
PANEL REPLACEMENT FOR HOAs
Experience with projects across a community.
Our recent HOA project included 45 main panels and 45 sub-panels. We handled the project from start to finish, giving the association one team to work with throughout the replacement process.
If your association has received an insurance notice, bring us the letter and the required completion date. We can discuss the scope and plan the replacement schedule around that deadline.
Discuss your HOA’s panel replacementAFTER THE WORK
Keep the records. Close the loop with your insurer.
Ask your insurer or agent what it needs before work begins. After completion, gather the requested records and send them by the agreed deadline. Your checklist may include:
- The invoice identifying the contractor and completed work
- The permit number and applicable permit records
- The final inspection approval or sign-off
- Photos or a contractor statement, if your insurer requests them
Ask the insurer to confirm in writing whether its requirement has been satisfied, and keep that response with your policy documents. Completing the electrical work does not automatically update your insurance file or guarantee renewal.
Read our insurance-letter planning checklistCOMMON QUESTIONS
Before you replace your panel.
Is there a new California law requiring older panels to be replaced?
Our review did not identify a statewide law requiring every panel from the 1960s or 1970s to be replaced just because of its age. An insurer’s requirements, a product recall, and local electrical code requirements are separate issues. Ask your insurer for the specific basis of its request.
The California Department of Insurance consumer guide (opens in a new tab) explains cancellation and nonrenewal protections.
Can my panel stay in place near the gas meter?
In some cases, yes. We can review a “like-for-like” replacement: replacing your panel with one of the same amperage, such as 125 amps for 125 amps. For qualifying projects, keeping the existing location near the gas equipment can avoid substantial relocation work and expense.
Bring us your insurance letter. We can review the site and coordinate with PG&E, where it serves the property, to determine whether your replacement qualifies. Going from 125 amps to 200 amps is a capacity upgrade and needs a separate review. Do not assume the insurance letter allows that upgrade to stay in place; relocation and additional costs may be required. PG&E must confirm the applicable requirements for your property.
See the PG&E Greenbook, Section 7.4.6 (opens in a new tab) (pages 7-19–7-21) for eligibility requirements.
Will replacement guarantee my insurance renewal?
No. Your insurer decides whether the work satisfies its requirements and whether it will offer or renew coverage. Get its required scope and completion documents in writing, and ask your agent about any deadline extension you may need.
How should I prepare for the power interruption?
We discuss the expected interruption when scheduling the work. Tell us in advance about work-from-home needs, refrigeration, security systems, and any essential equipment that needs power so you can make suitable arrangements. If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, arrange a backup plan with their equipment provider before the scheduled outage.
The outage window depends on the work and utility coordination. Confirm the expected timing with us before making plans for the day.
What will it cost and how long will it take?
A useful estimate depends on the panel location, equipment, wiring condition, permit requirements, and utility involvement. Tell us about your insurance deadline early so we can discuss realistic next steps.
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS
Sub-panel replacement and EV outlet
Read Dayna Z.’s review on Yelp (opens in a new tab)Electrical box replacement and home lighting
Read C L.’s review on Yelp (opens in a new tab)LET’S REVIEW YOUR PANEL
Turn the notice into a plan.
Include your city, the panel information you have, and your deadline.