Do I need a permit to upgrade my panel?

Yes. A panel or service upgrade requires an electrical permit and a final inspection in California. We pull the permit and meet the inspector as part of the job, so the work is documented and legal: important for resale and insurance.

How long does a panel upgrade take, and will my power be off?

Most residential panel upgrades are completed in a day. Your power is off for several hours while we swap the service, and we coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect. We plan the timing with you in advance.

Do I need 200 amps, or is 100 enough?

It depends on your real and planned load. Many older homes are fine at 100 amps until you add central AC, an EV charger, or electric appliances. We run an actual load calculation and recommend the right size rather than overselling.

My panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco. Is that really a problem?

These brands are widely documented to fail to trip reliably under fault conditions, which defeats the breaker's whole purpose. Many electricians and home inspectors recommend replacement. We can assess yours and explain your options honestly.

Home / Services / Residential / Electrical Panel Upgrades

Residential service

Electrical Panel Upgrades

Name: Best Diehl Electric
Address: Lodi, CA, US
Telephone: (209) 642-8678
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

If your home still runs on a 60- or 100-amp panel, fuses, or a brand that has since been recalled, an upgrade is the foundation everything else depends on. We size it right, pull the permit, and coordinate the utility, so your home can safely handle modern life.

(209) 642-8678 Free Estimate

Electrical Panel Upgrades by Best Diehl Electric

Your electrical panel is the heart of the home's wiring: every circuit, appliance, and outlet runs through it. When it is undersized or aging, you feel it as nuisance breaker trips, an inability to add circuits, and in the worst cases scorched bus bars and a real fire risk. Many older homes around Lodi, Stockton, and Sacramento are still on the original 60- or 100-amp service that was never meant to run today's central AC, EV chargers, and electric appliances all at once.

Best Diehl Electric replaces and upgrades panels the right way: starting with an actual load calculation, not a guess. We handle the permit, coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect, install a properly sized service with correct grounding and bonding, and stay through the inspection. You end up with headroom, modern breaker protection, and a panel that is documented and code-correct.

What's included

What's included with Panel Upgrades

Load calculation

We calculate your home's real and future demand instead of guessing, so the new service is sized for the appliances, AC, and EV charging you actually have or plan to add.

Service upgrade to 200 amps

Upgrade from a 60-, 100-, or 125-amp service to a modern 200-amp panel with room to grow, including main-breaker and meter-main combinations.

Recalled panel replacement

Removal and replacement of known-problem panels: Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, and Challenger, which are widely documented to fail to trip safely.

Sub-panels & added circuits

Sub-panel installation for garages, shops, ADUs, and additions when you need more breaker space without a full service upgrade.

Grounding, bonding & surge

Correct grounding and bonding brought up to current code, with optional whole-home surge protection to guard your electronics.

Permit, utility & inspection

We pull the permit, schedule the utility for the power disconnect and reconnect, and see the job through final inspection.

Signs it's time to call

When to bring in an electrician

Breakers trip often, or you still have a fuse box
The panel is a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger brand
You have a 60-, 100-, or 125-amp service

The panel feels warm, buzzes, or shows scorch marks or rust
There is no open breaker space to add a circuit
You are planning an EV charger, heat pump, AC, or addition

How it works

Our process, start to finish

Free assessment & load calcCraig inspects your existing panel and service, runs the load calculation, and explains in plain language what you need and why.
Permit & utility schedulingWe pull the electrical permit and coordinate with your utility for the temporary power disconnect and reconnect.
Install dayWe swap the service and panel, label every circuit, and bring grounding and bonding up to current code. Power is off for part of the day; we plan it with you.
Inspection & walkthroughWe meet the inspector, pass the final, and walk you through your new panel and labeling before we leave.

Panel Upgrades across the Sacramento & San Joaquin area

Central Valley summers push central air conditioning hard, and that load is often the last straw for an undersized panel. Older homes around Downtown Lodi, Midtown and East Sacramento, and the Magnolia District in Stockton frequently still have 60- to 100-amp services, sometimes paired with recalled panel brands. Upgrading the service is almost always the first step before adding an EV charger or heat pump in these homes.

Real reviews, real names

Rated 4.9 from 130+ reviews

★★★★★ “Craig arrived, trouble shot the problem and fixed it…” Herman Ebster · Google ★★★★★ “Craig from Best Diehl Electric did an outstanding job on…” Sasi Karuppusamy · Google ★★★★★ “Craig Diehl was on time, courteous and very easy to talk…” Malin Ramirez · Google ★★★★★ “Professional, prompt, on time and prepared to fix the…” Samuel Toney III · Google ★★★★★ “Craig is outstanding, very communicative and goes above…” Roody Samimi · Google ★★★★★ “Craig was quick, efficient, and extremely kind. Highly…” Josh Umiker · Google ★★★★★ “Craig was fast, efficient and thorough. I highly…” Anitra Daniels · Google ★★★★★ “Great work! Professional and affordable. Very happy every…” Jesse Coatney · Google

Read all 130+ reviews

Common questions

Panel Upgrades: FAQ

Do I need a permit to upgrade my panel?: Yes. A panel or service upgrade requires an electrical permit and a final inspection in California. We pull the permit and meet the inspector as part of the job, so the work is documented and legal: important for resale and insurance.
How long does a panel upgrade take, and will my power be off?: Most residential panel upgrades are completed in a day. Your power is off for several hours while we swap the service, and we coordinate the utility disconnect and reconnect. We plan the timing with you in advance.
Do I need 200 amps, or is 100 enough?: It depends on your real and planned load. Many older homes are fine at 100 amps until you add central AC, an EV charger, or electric appliances. We run an actual load calculation and recommend the right size rather than overselling.
My panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco. Is that really a problem?: These brands are widely documented to fail to trip reliably under fault conditions, which defeats the breaker's whole purpose. Many electricians and home inspectors recommend replacement. We can assess yours and explain your options honestly.

Related services

Plug into peace of mind

Panel Upgrades done right. Talk to Craig.

Call (209) 642-8678 for a free estimate, or send a message and he'll get right back to you. Licensed, bonded and insured, with 130+ five-star reviews.

(209) 642-8678 Request a Free Estimate