(408) 583-6354
Main Panel Upgrade in San Jose & Bay Area

Main Panel Upgrade in San Jose & Bay Area

Main electrical panel upgrades for homes and businesses, done by a licensed contractor. We install quality panels and handle panel calculations, the city permit, and the final inspection.

4.9· 168 Yelp Reviews

Free on-site estimate. We check your panel and give you a clear price.

  • Licensed & Insured
  • Permits and city inspections handled
  • 200A and 400A panel upgrades
  • Solar-ready panels with copper bussing options
  • Temporary power during the panel swap

What our customers say

Paula R.★★★★★

These guys are the best! They installed my EV charging station, redid an electric panel, fixed a broken outside outlet and installed lighting on our deck! Always professional, on time and clean, good work! Highly recommend!

CA, CA

Jun 13, 2026

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Jeffrey★★★★★

I contracted Electrica to upgrade my main service panel and install a NEMA 14-50 to charge my EV. Not only was Nick able to help me through the process, but he also provided very quick turnaround for the jobs. I was never left waiting for his team, as they were always ready to work on my house the moment that PG&E moved the process forward. Thank you for your professionalism and speed!

Cambrian Park, San Jose, CA

Aug 15, 2024

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Frank D.★★★★★

Nick and Andrew did a great job upgrading my electrical panel and adding a new EV charger. The work was completed in two days at a fair price. Very professional, arrived on time and understood everything that needed to be done. This is a very easy company to work with and I would definately hire them again to work at my home. (July 2025)

San Francisco, CA

Jul 28, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Eric A.★★★★★

Great service, had a different company install a my main breaker box as well as install a generator transfer switch. Well needless to say is they did a horrible job. Called the good people at Electrica to inspect. The came inspected the work and explained to me in simple terms what was don't correctly and incorrectly. Quoted me on the spot for repairs and got to work. Quality was above and beyond what I expected, everything is working the way it should. Not to mention reasonable pricing, I will using Electrica for all my electrical needs from now on.

San Jose, CA

May 30, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Michael D.★★★★★

Great experience working with Nick and his team to upgrade our outdoor electrical panel for solar service. Nick kept me in the loop through every stage, with timely text updates...

San Jose, CA

Oct 28, 2022

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Paul K.★★★★★

Electrica installed an EV charger. Did a great job. They re-worked the main panel a bit to accommodate the breaker, cleanly/neatly ran metal conduit to the front of the house and installed a smaller breaker box and the charger inside the garage...

San Jose, CA

Oct 26, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Rizwan G.★★★★★

I found them on Yelp and they truly exceeded my expectations. I needed a Tesla Charger installed, but my meter capacity was low. Their team handled the job flawlessly and ensured everything was done up to code. They are knowledgeable, efficient, and highly professional. I would strongly recommend them for any electrical services.

San Jose, CA

Sep 27, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
David K.★★★★★

I needed to wire and install a 240v hanging power heater. We needed to have new switches from our main breaker to the backyard. They did the work on-time and at a fair price. We will use them for all of our electrical needs in the future.

Santa Clara, CA

Jun 14, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
kyle k.★★★★★

I had an excellent experience with Electrica installing a Tesla Universal Wall Charger in an older house with only 100amp service. Nick responded very quickly with an estimate that was very reasonable compared to others. Andrew did the work, replacing my old 100amp service breaker, installing the Tesla/Neurio load balancer (required because of the low 100amp house service), new 60amp sub-panel, and the EV wall charger. Nick also handled the permit with Santa Clara County which took a few days but worked out well.

Saratoga, CA

Mar 8, 2024

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Eugene P.★★★★★

Xcellent! Arrived on time, accurate, professional and clean work, reasonable price, the detailed explanation how to use.

Mountain View, CA

Jun 7, 2026

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Bonnie M.★★★★★

Clear quote and scheduling process, prompt, courteous technician, excellent work at a reasonable price. Recommend.

San Francisco, CA

Aug 21, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
John M.★★★★★

Excellent work, fast and professional. Would definitely work with then again. Very kind team

Campbell, CA

Apr 25, 2025

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp
Kalli M.★★★★★

They were prompt and very helpful. Came out right away and did an excellent job! Would definitely use again.

Belmont, CA

Apr 14, 2024

yelpYelpRead more on Yelp

Our recent panel upgrades

Labeled Siemens main panel after an upgrade in Mountain View, CA, with solar prep and EV charger breakers
Solar-ready panel 200A · Mountain View
Tidy breaker wiring inside a replaced Siemens electrical sub-panel in Santa Clara, CA
Sub-panel replacement · Santa Clara
Inside of a new 200A Siemens panel after an electrical service upgrade in Cupertino, CA
200A service panel upgrade, solar-ready · Cupertino
Rewired electrical service panel with new breakers and meter in Sunnyvale, CA
Service panel replacement, solar-ready · Sunnyvale
Multi-meter electrical service upgrade at a multi-unit building in Santa Clara, CA
Multi-family building 400A main panel upgrade · Santa Clara
Upgraded 200A main panel and generator transfer switch next to a new subpanel on a stucco wall in San Jose, CA
200A main panel upgrade and generator transfer switch · San Jose
New electrical panel installed on a stucco wall with a fresh stucco patch in Los Altos, CA
New panel, stucco patched (photo before painting) · Los Altos

How a panel upgrade goes

  1. 1

    Estimate

    You call us and send a few photos of your panel. We look at the panel and your power feed, share our first thoughts, and then come out for a free on-site estimate.

  2. 2

    Permits

    Every panel upgrade needs a city permit, plus an approval from your utility. We handle both: the city paperwork and the verification process with PG&E or Silicon Valley Power.

  3. 3

    Installation

    We install a modern 200A to 400A panel, Siemens or the brand you prefer. Solar-ready or standard, copper or aluminum bussing, we help you pick what best fits your home.

  4. 4

    Inspection

    We coordinate the city inspection and meet the inspector on site to close out the permit.

Why Electrica

  • CA Licensed & Insured #1023830
  • Local Bay Area crew
  • We handle city permits, inspections, and utility paperwork
  • Temporary power during the panel swap
  • 200A and 400A panel upgrades
  • Siemens and other major panel brands
  • Solar-ready or standard panels, copper or aluminum bussing
  • Free on-site estimates

Old Zinsco, Sylvania, Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok), or Pushmatic panel?

Homes with these panels are linked to a higher rate of electrical fires. The reason is overload: their breakers have a documented history of failing to trip when a circuit draws too much power, so the wiring overheats. Many insurance companies refuse to cover homes with them, and those that do often charge significantly more.

Most of these panels are also only 90A to 125A, while a modern home usually needs 200A or more. We replace them with a modern panel and handle the permits and the utility paperwork.

A new panel is an investment in your home: it serves for decades, and if you ever sell, buyers will love seeing an upgraded panel.

Not sure what you have? The on-site estimate is free, we will tell you straight.

FAQ

How much does a main panel upgrade cost?
The price depends on your current panel, the wiring, and your city's permit fees, so we check the panel first. The estimate is free. Call us at (408) 583-6354.
Do I have to pay the full price upfront?
No. You pay step by step as the project moves along. You do not prepay the whole job.
Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?
Yes, always. The city requires a permit and an inspection, and PG&E or Silicon Valley Power has to disconnect and reconnect your power line. We take care of all of it. If a contractor offers to skip the permit, walk away. Without a permit the utility never comes out, so the contractor reconnects your power line himself, with connectors that are not designed for outdoor use. These connectors can corrode and overheat over time and become a fire hazard. And the missing permit comes up anyway when you sell the home, and then you pay for the permit and for redoing the work.
How long does a main panel upgrade take?
The installation itself takes 1 to 2 days, sometimes 3. The rest is waiting for the utility: best case the whole process takes 1 to 2 months, and if the local transformer is overloaded it can stretch to 8 months.
Will my power be off during the work?
Yes, the power is off while we swap the panel. We tell you the schedule in advance, and we bring you a generator, so you are not stuck without power. Some customers simply turn it into a day off: a night in a hotel or a short getaway while we do the work.
Will you take care of the stucco repair?
Yes. Replacing a panel usually means cutting into the stucco, and we repair it afterward and apply the primer coat, so the wall is sealed and ready for your finish color. The city inspection requires it, and it is included in our price.
There is a rain downspout next to my panel. Do I need to move it?
Typically, if it is too close, the utility will require you to move it. If you need someone, we will recommend a contractor.
Do I need a panel upgrade to add an EV charger?
Not always. If your panel is smaller (around 90A to 125A), we can often add a load balancer instead. It is a small device that lets the charger use the power your panel already has. The trade-off: when the rest of the house is using a lot of power, your car charges slower. If you plan to add more devices later, like a second EV, an A/C unit, or an ADU, a panel upgrade usually makes more sense.
My panel is a Zinsco, Sylvania, Federal Pacific, or Pushmatic. Should I worry?
Yes, you should consider replacing it as soon as possible. These panels have known design flaws, and there are documented cases of breakers failing to trip and starting fires. This is also why many insurance companies refuse to cover homes with them or charge significantly more. They are also small. Most of them are 90A to 125A panels, and a modern home usually needs 200A or more. Replacing the panel fixes the safety risk and the capacity problem in one job.
Do I need 200 amps or 400 amps?
For most homes, 200A is enough. A simple rule of thumb: about 100A for every 1,000 square feet. So a typical 2,000 sq ft home does fine on 200A, and a home closer to 4,000 sq ft usually needs 400A. Also think about what you want to add down the road. An EV charger takes about 60A, and some families now need two. An electric water heater takes about 24A, an A/C about 27 to 34A, a fridge about 6A. Add a few of those and 200A fills up fast.
Should I choose a copper or aluminum panel?
If the budget allows, go with copper. Copper handles higher loads better, resists corrosion, and simply performs better overall. A copper panel can serve your home for 70 years or more, while a typical aluminum panel serves a few decades less. Both are safe and code-approved, so this is a lifespan and performance question, not a safety one.
Should I install a solar-ready panel or a regular one?
If solar is in your plans, even a few years out, go solar-ready. A solar-ready panel has a heavier 225A bussing, so your home keeps its full 200A main breaker after the solar system is connected. A regular panel has a 200A bussing, and when solar is added, code requires derating the main breaker, usually from 200A to 175A.
Will a solar-ready panel increase the value of my home?
It helps, and unlike many upgrades, this money does not just evaporate. A modern solar-ready panel is a real plus when you sell: buyers and home inspectors look at the panel early, and an old one becomes a bargaining chip against your price. Do not take our word for it, ask any real estate agent.
What panel brands do you install?
Mostly Siemens. It is a proven brand, and replacement breakers are easy to find years down the road. If you prefer another brand, we will install that instead.
I have a commercial building. Can you replace a 3-phase panel?
Yes, we can. We work on commercial buildings, including 3-phase panel replacements. Call us and we will schedule a visit.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Electrica is a licensed California electrical contractor (CA #1023830) and carries general liability insurance.
When can you start?
We can start right now with a conversation. Call us at (408) 583-6354, tell us about your panel, and we will set up your free on-site estimate.

Request an estimate

Tell us what you need and how to reach you. We read every request and reply personally.

Have photos of your project? Email them to info@electrica-inc.com.

By clicking above, you consent to us contacting you via call, text, or email regarding your project.

MADE IN THE USA