Power & Panels
Panel Upgrades
The panel is the heart of the house. When it's full, outdated or too small for an EV, a heat pump or a hot tub, we replace it and size the service for what's next.
Most homes built before the 1980s were wired for 60 or 100 amps, with a fuse box or a panel that has no free spaces left. Add central air, an induction range, a hot tub or an electric car and the numbers stop working. Voltline Electric Co. replaces panels and upgrades services so the house has the capacity it needs, with every circuit labelled and room to grow.
What's included
- Load calculation — we add up what the house uses now and what you're planning, so the new service is sized properly, not guessed.
- Utility coordination — we arrange the disconnect and reconnect with your local utility, so power is off for as little time as possible.
- New panel and breakers — a quality panel with free spaces, new breakers, and arc-fault and ground-fault protection where the code requires it.
- Meter base and mast — replaced when the service size goes up, along with the service entrance cable.
- Grounding and bonding — brought up to current requirements, including water and gas piping bonds.
- Permit and inspection — we file the ESA permit and the work is inspected before the job is closed out.
How the job runs
- Site visit. We look at the panel, the meter, the service drop and your plans for the next few years.
- Written quote. Panel size, service work, any extra circuits and what isn't included, spelled out.
- Upgrade day. Most panel swaps take one day. Power is off for part of it, and we tell you when.
- Inspection and labels. Every breaker is labelled, and you get the paperwork for your records and your insurer.
Signs it's time
Breakers that trip often, a panel that's warm to the touch, fuses, double-tapped breakers or no room for new circuits all point to an upgrade. Planning a charger? Pair the upgrade with EV charger installation, or check a ballpark in the instant electrical estimate.
What affects the cost of panel upgrades
Panel upgrade prices depend mostly on whether the service size changes. Swapping a panel at the same size costs less than a 100 to 200 amp upgrade, which adds a new meter base, mast and service cable. Underground services, moving the panel, the number of circuits to reconnect, grounding updates and any utility charges all affect the total. Fuse boxes and very old panels often need more circuit work to reconnect safely.
Panel Upgrades questions
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Most residential panel replacements and 200 amp upgrades are done in one day. Your power is off for part of that day, and the utility reconnects the service once the work is ready.
Do I need 200 amps?
Not always. Many homes do fine on 100 amps. A load calculation tells you for sure, especially if you're adding an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub or electric heat.
Will my insurance company want to know?
Often, yes. Insurers commonly ask about panel age and fuses. The inspection paperwork from the upgrade is what they usually want to see.
Can you move my panel?
Yes. Panels are often moved out of closets, bathrooms or finished spaces during an upgrade. Moving it adds work, so it's priced in the quote.
Where we offer panel upgrades
We provide panel upgrades for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
Wired right. The first time.
See a ballpark for your job in about a minute, or book a visit for a written, itemized quote.