Panel Upgrades

Electrical panel upgrades across Tampa Bay

A lot of homes in Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, and the older pockets of St. Petersburg are still running on 60 or 100 amp panels that were fine for a 1965 kitchen and nothing else. Add central AC, an EV charger, a hot tub, and a couple of space heaters during a cold snap, and that old panel starts tripping breakers or, worse, quietly overheating behind the wall. The fix is a panel upgrade, usually to 150 or 200 amps, done by a licensed electrician who pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.

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Electrician installing a new 200-amp panel in a Tampa Bay home

What's included in this service?

Shut off power at the meter and coordinate a utility disconnect where needed
Swap the old panel for a new one rated for your actual household load
Install new breakers and update grounding to current code
Pull the permit and schedule the follow-up inspection
Size the panel for what you run today, with room for an EV charger or generator later
Check the meter base and service entrance for related wear or corrosion
Walk you through 150A versus 200A before quoting a fixed price

When do you need this service?

Breakers that trip under normal use
A panel that still uses fuses instead of breakers
Visible rust or scorch marks inside the panel door
A home inspector flagging the panel during a sale
Adding an EV charger, whole-home generator, or central AC to a pre-1990 house
An insurance renewal letter that mentions your panel brand

What do homeowners ask about Panel Upgrades?

How much does a panel upgrade cost in Tampa?

Most 100A-to-200A upgrades in the Tampa Bay area run $2,500 to $4,500 depending on panel location, permit fees, and whether the meter base needs work too. Older homes with knob-and-tube remnants or a full rewire needed alongside the panel can run higher. We give you a fixed number after seeing the panel in person, not a phone estimate.

Will I be without power during the upgrade?

Yes, but only for a few hours, not the whole day. We coordinate the outage window with you ahead of time and most households are back on power before dinner. If you have medical equipment that needs continuous power, tell us up front and we'll plan around it.

Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Hillsborough or Pinellas County?

Yes, panel upgrades require a permit and inspection in every jurisdiction we serve. We pull the permit, schedule the inspector, and handle the paperwork so you don't have to track it down yourself. Skipping the permit can cause problems later with insurance or a home sale.

My insurance company is asking about my panel. What does that mean?

Insurers in Florida have gotten strict about older panel brands, particularly Federal Pacific and Zinsco, which are known fire risks. If your policy renewal mentions the panel, it usually means they want it replaced or they'll drop coverage. We can inspect it and tell you exactly what your insurer is likely flagging.

Can I upgrade to 200A if I'm planning to add an EV charger or generator later?

Yes, and it's smart to size for that now rather than upgrading twice. If you know an EV charger, generator, or pool is coming in the next couple of years, tell us before we finalize the panel size so we don't leave you short on capacity.