Panel upgrades built for modern loads
200 amp upgrades, breaker replacements, and full panel swaps to meet modern electrical demands safely.
Do I need a panel upgrade?
You probably do if breakers trip during everyday use, if the panel has no open slots for new circuits, or if you are planning to add a major load like an EV charger, an electric range, or a workshop. An older panel that has never been touched while the house grew around it is the most common case we see.
Not every panel problem means a full swap. Sometimes a breaker replacement or a repair is the right call, and we will say so. Every project starts with a free estimate and a written quote before work begins, so you know exactly what you are getting into. No surprise charges, no hourly padding.
What does a panel upgrade involve?
A panel upgrade typically means replacing your existing electrical panel with a new 200 amp panel, updating the meter base where needed, and making sure every circuit is properly labeled and code compliant. We handle the full scope:
- 200 Amp Upgrades
- Breaker Replacements
- Meter Base Installs
- Code Compliance
Why does 200 amps matter now?
Homes simply pull more power than they used to. An EV charger wants its own dedicated circuit. A remodeled kitchen adds dedicated appliance circuits of its own. Older panels were never sized for any of that, which is why they run out of room and why breakers start tripping as the load creeps up.
A 200 amp panel gives your home the capacity to carry today's loads with room left over for whatever comes next. When we upgrade a panel, we verify what your home actually needs rather than guessing, and the finished panel is labeled circuit by circuit so anyone who opens it later knows exactly what they are looking at.
Your panel is the one place in the house where utility power comes in at full strength. Even with the main breaker off, parts of it stay live. If something in your panel looks scorched, smells hot, or buzzes, do not open it. Call a licensed electrician. We answer at (608) 772-2456, and we offer 24/7 emergency service.
What affects the cost of a panel upgrade?
The main factors are the condition of your existing panel and service, whether the meter base needs to be replaced along with it, and how many circuits have to be moved over and labeled in the new panel. A straightforward swap is a smaller job than an upgrade that also corrects years of add-ons. We look at all of it during a free on-site estimate and put the price in writing before any work begins. If a fault elsewhere in the system is the real culprit, our troubleshooting service tracks it down first.
Panel upgrade questions, answered
How do I know if my panel is too small?
If breakers trip when you run normal loads, if there is no room left for new circuits, or if you are adding something big like an EV charger or an electric range, your panel is likely at its limit. We review panel capacity as part of every estimate.
Can you replace a single bad breaker?
Yes. Breaker replacements are part of our panel work. If one breaker has failed or trips constantly, we can replace it, and we will tell you honestly if the problem points to something bigger in the panel.
Does a panel upgrade include the meter base?
When the meter base needs it, yes. Meter base installs are part of our panel upgrade work, and we will tell you at the estimate whether yours should be updated along with the panel.
Will the new panel pass inspection?
That is the standard we work to. Every install meets or exceeds current NEC and local code requirements, and we leave every circuit labeled so the inspector, and you, can see exactly what goes where.
Is replacing an electrical panel a DIY job?
No. Panel work sits at the point where your home meets utility power, and mistakes there are dangerous even with the main breaker off. This is a job for a licensed electrician, full stop.
Breakers tripping? Out of room?
Serving Madison, Milwaukee, and surrounding areas. Licensed and insured.