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Service

Panel Upgrades

100A to 200A service upgrades, main-meter combos, sub-panels, and solar-ready service changes for homes and businesses across Acton, Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley — fully permitted, SCE-coordinated, and code-compliant.

Licensed · Bonded · Insured·CA Lic. C-1098584

Panel Upgrades
Service Overview

What Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade and When Do You Need One?

An electrical panel upgrade — also called a service change or service upgrade — is the process of replacing your home's main electrical panel and meter connection to increase the maximum amperage available from your utility. Most California homes built before 1990 have 100-amp service, which was adequate for that era but is insufficient for today's EV chargers (which require a dedicated 50A circuit), heat pumps (30–60A), and induction ranges (50A). A 200-amp upgrade in the Antelope Valley typically costs $3,500–$5,800 including permits and SCE coordination. Signs you need an upgrade: breakers trip under normal use, your panel is a recalled brand (Zinsco, Federal Pacific, or Pushmatic), you can't add an EV charger without overloading the service, or a home inspector flagged the panel. B&M Electrical handles every step — load calculation, permit, SCE meter coordination, installation, and inspection — with same-day power restoration on most residential jobs.

  • 100A to 200A main service upgrades with new main-meter combo
  • Solar-ready service changes with dedicated back-feed breaker space
  • Sub-panel installation for garages, workshops, ADUs and outbuildings
  • Recalled panel replacement (Zinsco, Federal Pacific, Pushmatic)
  • 400A service upgrades for multi-EV or solar-plus-battery systems

Your Home Deserves Safe, Dependable & Modern Electrical Systems

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What You Get

Why Does a Panel Upgrade Require a Permit and Inspection?

A panel upgrade requires a permit because it modifies the point where utility power enters your home — a change that affects SCE's infrastructure and must be inspected by the authority having jurisdiction. The permit process involves submitting the scope to LA County Building & Safety, City of Palmdale, City of Lancaster, or City of Santa Clarita, then scheduling an inspection where a licensed inspector verifies grounding, bonding, service entrance clearances, and circuit labeling. Unpermitted panel work creates three specific problems: it can void your homeowner's insurance if a fire originates at the panel; it creates a material disclosure obligation under California Civil Code 1102 in home sales; and it skips the inspection that catches the grounding electrode conductor continuity issues most commonly missed in DIY installs. B&M Electrical photographs before and after, labels every circuit, and provides documentation that satisfies inspectors, insurance adjusters, and future buyers.

  • Full permit handling through LA County or city jurisdiction
  • SCE meter reconnect coordination — no utility calls needed from you
  • Same-day power restoration on most residential upgrades
  • Circuit labeling and panel documentation included
  • Future-ready design: headroom for EV, solar, heat pump circuits
Panel Upgrades — B&M Electrical Services
Trusted By Homeowners

What Our Clients Say

113 Google Reviews
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Brandon Rojas

Google

I had a great experience with this electrical service. The team showed up on time, worked efficiently, and finished the job faster than I expected while still doing everything the right way. The price was very fair compared to other quotes I received, which made the whole experience even better because the quality of work was still top-notch. I also want to give a shout out to Barrett for being professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. He made sure everything was taken care of before leaving and you can tell he takes pride in his work. Overall, great service, great price, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing electrical work done.

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Loren Gibson

Google

B&M has done a couple jobs for me in the past year, very pleased with the work. Fast, efficient, fair pricing and the work is always really clean. Definitely a returning customer.

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Travis Steinbock

Google

Barrett came out and gave me a good price on the work. They replaced my electrical panel and installed a disconnect for my AC unit. Then the next day, had a guy come out to patch up the wall and paint when the stucco dried. He also had the number of an AC technician for me to call to move a thermostat wire. Overall, great work and very communicative throughout the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Panel Upgrades FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most often from homeowners and business owners across the Antelope Valley.

How much does a panel upgrade cost in the Antelope Valley?

Most straightforward 100A to 200A panel upgrades in Acton, Palmdale and Lancaster run between $3,500 and $5,800 — including permits, SCE coordination, a new main-meter combo, and labor. Older homes with long overhead drops, meter relocations, or sub-panel additions will price higher. We provide a written, itemized estimate after a quick on-site walkthrough so there are no surprises.

Why would I need to upgrade my electrical panel?

The most common reasons are: your current 100A service can't handle modern loads (EV chargers, heat pumps, induction ranges); your panel is a recalled brand (Zinsco, Federal Pacific, Pushmatic); breakers trip frequently under normal use; you're adding solar and need a solar-ready main-meter combo; or a home inspection flagged the panel as a safety or code concern. A panel upgrade is also required when adding certain high-amperage circuits.

What is a main-meter combo and do I need one?

A main-meter combo (or meter main) combines your utility meter socket and your main breaker into a single outdoor unit — required by most California utilities including SCE for new installations and service upgrades. If you're upgrading from an older indoor main breaker panel with a separate utility meter, we'll typically install a new meter main outside and a loadcenter inside, which gives you the cleanest, most inspection-friendly result.

How long does a panel upgrade take?

Most residential panel upgrades are completed in a single day. We shut off power in the morning, install the new panel or main-meter combo, reconnect all circuits, coordinate the SCE meter reconnect, and restore power the same day. The LA County or city permit inspection is typically scheduled within a few days and takes 30–60 minutes.

Do you handle the permits and SCE coordination?

Yes — completely. We pull the permit through the appropriate jurisdiction (LA County Building & Safety, City of Palmdale, City of Lancaster, City of Santa Clarita, or other), schedule the final inspection, and coordinate the meter reconnect with SCE. You don't need to make any utility calls or visit any permit windows.

Can my upgraded panel support an EV charger and solar?

Yes, and that's exactly why most homeowners upgrade. A new 200A main-meter combo gives you ample headroom for a Level 2 EV charger (typically 50A dedicated circuit), a solar inverter back-feed breaker, and any future heat pump or appliance circuits. We can also size the panel for a 400A service if you're planning for multiple EVs or a larger solar-plus-battery system.

Where We Work

Areas We Serve

Dispatched from our Acton, CA shop — serving homes and businesses across the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, and greater Los Angeles County.

Acton, CAPalmdale, CALancaster, CABurbank, CAGlendale, CAVan Nuys, Los Angeles, CANewhall, Santa Clarita, CAValencia, Santa Clarita, CA
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