If you've started pricing an electrical panel upgrade, you've probably seen numbers all over the place. That's because "panel upgrade" can mean a simple panel swap or a full service upgrade that involves the meter, the utility and the city. Here's how we price it at Homi Home Automation, and what actually moves the number.
The short answer
New 200-amp panels from Homi Home Automation start at $2,500, including the permit and city inspection.
That starting price covers a standard replacement where the existing service can support the new panel. Your exact price depends on your home, and you get a free written estimate before any work begins.
Blog reader offer: save $200 on your panel upgrade when you mention this article. Call (818) 245-5201 to book your free estimate.
What changes the price
Five things decide where your project lands:
Amperage. Going from 100 amps to 200 amps is the most common upgrade we do. Larger homes and all-electric remodels sometimes need 400 amps, which is a bigger job.
Whether the meter or service entrance has to change. If the utility connection has to be upgraded too, we coordinate with LADWP or SCE and the scope grows.
Where the panel is. An exterior panel on an easy-to-reach wall is simpler than one inside a finished wall, garage or closet.
How many circuits need updating. In older homes, some circuits may need to be corrected or brought up to current code when the new panel goes in.
Utility requirements. Each utility has its own rules for service upgrades, and we plan the job around them.
What's included when we upgrade your panel
Every panel upgrade from Homi Home Automation includes:
A free on-site estimate, with an inspection of your current panel and a load calculation
A clear written proposal, with the scope and price in writing before any work starts
Permit and utility coordination: we pull the permit and schedule the utility for you
Installation, usually in one day, with a new panel and breakers, plus grounding and bonding to current code
The city inspection: we schedule it and stay with it until it passes
Documentation: permit and inspection records for your files, your insurer or a future sale
Signs it's time to upgrade
You don't need to upgrade just because your panel is old. These are the signs that it's worth a look:
Breakers trip often, especially when large appliances run
Lights dim or flicker when something else turns on
You still have a fuse box, or a Zinsco, Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok), Challenger or Pushmatic panel
You're adding a heat pump, an ADU, a pool or spa, or remodeling a kitchen
Your insurance company or a home inspector flagged your panel
If you notice a burning smell, a warm panel cover, buzzing or scorch marks, don't wait for an estimate. Call us right away. We answer 24/7.
Why the load calculation matters
The most common mistake we see is a panel sized for today instead of the next 20 years. Before we quote, we run a load calculation that looks at what your home uses now and what you're planning to add. That's how we decide whether 200 amps is right or whether 400 amps makes more sense for your home, so you aren't paying for a second upgrade a few years from now.
Got an insurance or fire-zone letter?
You might first hear about your panel from your insurance company. If you've received a non-renewal notice or a request to replace an outdated panel, we handle those upgrades regularly and provide the documentation your insurer asks for. Read more about fire-zone and insurance panel upgrades.
Get a free written estimate
Homi Home Automation is a licensed C-10 electrical contractor (#1147130) based in Sherman Oaks, serving the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. We'll look at your panel, run the load calculation and give you a written price, at no charge.
Mention this article when you book and save $200 on your panel upgrade.
