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Panel upgrades · Northeast LA & surrounding cities

Electrical Panel Upgrades, Sized to What Your Home Actually Needs

From 100 to 200 amps, Federal Pacific and Zinsco replacements, and sub-panels for ADUs and garages. We run a load calculation first, so you only upgrade if you need to.

★★★★★ 4.9 on Yelp · 180+ reviews · CSLB #1080235

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Signs it’s time

Does Your Panel Need an Upgrade?

Many homes in Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Pasadena still run on 60 or 100 amp service that was sized for a very different house. If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth a look.

Breakers trip when two appliances run at once
Your panel is a Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) or Zinsco
You still have a fuse box
You’re adding an EV charger, heat pump or induction range
You’re building an ADU or finishing a garage
Lights dim when the AC or dryer kicks on
The panel is warm, buzzing, rusted or scorched
An inspector or insurer flagged it

How it works

From First Call to a Finished Panel

Load Calculation

We look at your current service, your panel and everything you plan to add, and work out what size you actually need. Sometimes the answer is no upgrade at all.

Options with Prices

You get clear options, such as a panel swap, a full service upgrade, or a sub-panel, each priced before any work starts.

Permits and Utility

We pull the permit, coordinate with your city and the utility, and request the meter spot when it’s required. You don’t have to manage any of it.

Install and Inspection

Most panel swaps take a day. We label every circuit, test the system, and walk you through the new panel before we leave.

Permits, utility and paperwork

We Don’t Just Replace the Panel. We Handle the Whole Process

A panel upgrade often needs permits, utility coordination and technical documents before it can be approved. Ready Electric manages it from start to finish, working with your city or county and, when required, with LADWP, Southern California Edison or your city utility. Depending on the job, that includes:

Pulling the required electrical permit
Coordinating with the city or county
Coordinating with the utility company
Requesting and coordinating the meter spot
Preparing load calculations
Preparing single-line diagrams
Preparing plot and site plans when required
Providing any other documents needed for approval

Why it matters

Older Homes, Modern Loads

Northeast LA is full of Craftsman bungalows and Spanish revival homes built long before anyone had an EV, a heat pump or a home office. Many still run on 60 or 100 amp service. That was plenty for 1950, and it gets tight fast once you add a Level 2 charger or an induction range.

Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels are a separate problem. Both brands are known for breakers that can fail to trip when they should. If your home has one, replacing it is worth doing even if you aren’t adding anything new.

Upgrading isn’t always the answer. A load calculation sometimes shows your existing service can handle a new charger with the right circuit, or with a load management device. We’ll tell you when that’s the case.

Your utility matters too. Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock and El Sereno are served by LADWP. Pasadena and Glendale have their own city utilities. South Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia and Monrovia are on Southern California Edison. Each one handles service upgrades and disconnects a little differently, and we plan the job around it.

What Affects the Price

Every panel job is different, so we quote after we’ve seen yours. Financing is available for qualifying customers. The biggest factors:

We Pick Up

Open 24/7, holidays included.

We Show Up

Local dispatch from Highland Park.

You Choose

Options and prices before any work.

Licensed

Bonded & insured · CSLB #1080235

Guides & answers

Helpful Reading Before You Call

Guide

100 Amp vs 200 Amp: Do You Need a Bigger Panel?

Guide

The Panel Upgrade Permit & Utility Process in Los Angeles

Guide

Panel Upgrade Cost in Los Angeles: What Drives the Price

Guide

How Long Do Electrical Panels Last?

Guide

What Is an Electrical Load Calculation?

Answer

EV Charger Rebates in Los Angeles (LADWP & SCE)

Answer

ADU Electrical Requirements in Los Angeles

Guide

Electrifying an Older LA Home (Gas to Electric)

Where we work

Panel Upgrades Across Northeast LA and Surrounding Cities

Ready Electric serves 21 neighborhoods and cities across Northeast LA and surrounding cities. Outside these areas? Call anyway.

FAQ

Panel Upgrade Questions

How do I know if I need a 200 amp panel?

It depends on what you have and what you plan to add. A load calculation compares your existing service to your current and future appliances. Many homes adding an EV charger, heat pump or ADU end up needing 200 amps, but not all of them do.

Should I replace a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?

We recommend it. Both brands are known for breakers that can fail to trip during an overload or short. Replacing the panel is the reliable fix.

Do panel upgrades need a permit?

Yes. Panel and service upgrades require a permit and an inspection from your city, and usually a utility disconnect. Ready Electric handles it: we pull the permit, coordinate with the city and the utility, and prepare the load calculations and drawings they require.

Is there a warranty on panel upgrades?

Yes. Qualifying panel upgrades carry a 10-year warranty. We’ll confirm the coverage for your job in your estimate.

Do you offer financing for panel upgrades?

Yes. Financing is available for qualifying customers. You can apply right from your estimate to see if you’re eligible.

How long does a panel upgrade take?

A straight panel swap is usually done in a day. A full service upgrade can take longer, mostly because the utility has to schedule the disconnect and reconnect.

Will my power be off during the upgrade?

Yes, for part of the day while the new panel is installed. We’ll tell you the plan ahead of time so you can prepare.

Can I add an EV charger without upgrading my panel?

Sometimes. If a load calculation shows room on your existing service, we can add a dedicated circuit, or use a load management device, without a full upgrade.