ServicesPanel Upgrades
Panel Upgrades in Hudson Oaks
Your breaker panel decides how much your home can safely run. When it's scorched, rusted after a storm, or simply out of room, we replace it with a correctly sized panel, handle the permit and inspection, and leave you with breakers you can actually read.
When a New Panel Is the Right Call
A panel upgrade means replacing the main breaker panel, and often the service equipment feeding it, so your home has the capacity and protection it needs today. Many houses still run on 100-amp panels installed before central air, induction ranges, hot tubs and EV chargers were common.
Storms are the other big reason we get asked about panels. A nearby lightning strike can weld breaker contacts or scorch the bus bar, and wind-driven rain can find its way into an outdoor panel or meter base and start corrosion you won't see right away. After a hard storm, we look at what is actually damaged and tell you plainly whether a repair will hold or the panel should go.
We're a licensed electrical contractor, TECL 36609, and we've spent our 5 years in business doing this work for families around Hudson Oaks, Willow Park and Weatherford. If your panel only needs a breaker or a loose connection fixed, our Electrical Repair page covers that, and we'll say so.
What Comes With Your New Panel
- 01
Load calculation
We total what your home uses today plus what you plan to add, and size the panel and service to fit. No guesswork, and no extra size just to grow the bill.
- 02
New panel and breakers
You get a new panel with a correctly rated breaker for every circuit, plus arc-fault and ground-fault protection wherever current code requires it.
- 03
Service equipment inspection
We look over the meter base, mast and service conductors. If strong wind, a falling branch or years of weather have harmed them, that work goes on the estimate up front.
- 04
Grounding and bonding
Grounding in older homes often falls short of today's code. As part of the job, we bring the grounding electrode system and bonding up to current rules.
- 05
Permit, inspection and the utility
We obtain the permit your local jurisdiction requires, book the inspection and arrange the disconnect and reconnect with the utility.
- 06
A clearly labeled breaker list
We test each breaker against the circuit it feeds and label it plainly, so when something trips you know right where to go.
Questions about Panel Upgrades?
Call(682) 509-0416Signs Your Panel Needs Attention
Burn marks or a hot cover
Scorching, melted plastic or a cover that feels warm to the touch points to a failing connection. Stop adding load and have it looked at soon.
Rust or water inside
Rust streaks, water stains or a corroded main lug after heavy rain mean moisture got in. Corrosion keeps working long after the weather clears.
Breakers that won't reset or trip often
A breaker that trips under normal use, or won't stay on after lightning hits nearby, may be worn out or overloaded. Either way it is telling you something.
Buzzing or crackling
A steady hum from the panel, or crackling you can hear near it, often means arcing at a breaker or the bus bar.
No room for what you're adding
If there are no open slots for an EV charger, generator hookup or remodel, or you see tandem breakers squeezed in everywhere, the panel has outgrown your home.
A brand with a known track record
Some older panel brands, such as Federal Pacific and Zinsco, have breakers known for not tripping when they should. Many insurers and home inspectors flag them.
How the Job Goes
- 1
Service visit and look inside
We open the panel, test it, check the meter base and grounding, and take photos of anything damaged. Then we talk through what we found and your options.
- 2
Written estimate
You get a line-item estimate covering the panel, service equipment, grounding, permit and any repairs, so you know the full scope before you approve anything.
- 3
Permit and scheduling
We pull the permit and set a work day with the utility for the disconnect. We'll tell you ahead of time how long your power will be off so you can plan meals, medications and work.
- 4
Panel swap day
We shut down power, remove the old panel, install the new one, move and label each circuit, and restore power once the utility reconnects. Most swaps take the better part of a day, and we clean up before we leave.
- 5
Inspection and walkthrough
The inspector checks the work as required by your jurisdiction. We walk you through the new panel and the breaker directory so it makes sense to you.
What Drives the Cost of a New Panel
We price each panel job only after seeing it, since the equipment feeding the panel counts as much as the box itself. Your written estimate breaks out every part, so no extras appear later.
- Service size
- Moving from 100 to 200 amps typically calls for heavier service conductors and a new meter base, not only a larger panel.
- Shape of the service equipment
- A mast bent by wind, a rusty meter base or worn conductors mean more work. Sound service equipment keeps things simpler.
- Where the panel sits
- Swapping a panel in the same spot costs less than relocating it. A move may be required if the current location lacks the clearance code calls for.
- Grounding and code items
- New ground rods, bonding and the arc-fault or ground-fault breakers some circuits need all affect the total.
- Circuits that need moving or repair
- Wires too short to reach, aluminum branch circuits or failing runs uncovered during the swap must be fixed before the panel will pass inspection.
Common Questions About Panel Upgrades
How long will I be without power?
A standard swap takes most of a workday. The exact length depends on the utility's disconnect window and how much service equipment gets replaced. You'll get a realistic timeframe ahead of the day so you can plan.
Will you take care of the permit?
Yes. We get the permit your local jurisdiction requires and book the inspection. The permit fee appears on your estimate rather than being tacked on later.
Will insurance pay for a storm-damaged panel?
It can, depending on your policy and what caused the damage. We record what we see with photos and a written description to pass to your insurer. Coverage is your adjuster's call, but we'll explain our findings in plain language.
Does an EV charger require a larger panel?
Not necessarily. A load calculation shows whether your existing service can carry the charger. If it can't, we'll go over a panel upgrade versus other choices, and our EV Charger Installation page explains the charger side.
Should I be home on the day of the swap?
It's best to have someone there when we arrive and when the power is restored. In between, the house has no electricity, so many people head out for errands or work. Before leaving, we make sure your fridge, HVAC and any medical equipment are running again.
Is this a good time to add surge protection?
Yes, it makes sense while the panel is open. A whole-home surge protector mounts at the panel and helps shield appliances from lightning and utility spikes. Our Surge Protection page has more, and we can put it on the same estimate.
Get a Clear Answer on Your Panel
Tell us what you're seeing or what you plan to add, and we'll set up a visit to look inside your panel. You'll know what it needs and what it will take before any work starts.