A panel replacement changes the equipment that distributes power to the circuits in your home. A service upgrade increases the capacity supplied to the home and can involve more than the panel. They often happen together, but they answer different questions.

For a homeowner planning an EV charger, a renovation or new electrical equipment, that distinction matters. You want a quote for the work your home actually needs, with a clear explanation of why it is recommended.

Start with the reason for the project

Are you replacing failing equipment, making space for additional circuits or checking whether the home can support a new load? Describe the outcome you want before choosing an amperage or asking for a particular panel brand.

Levere Electric reviews the existing installation and your planned additions. An equipment problem calls for a different conversation than a long-term plan to add several large loads. The starting point is a load calculation, not the assumption that a larger service is always necessary. Many homes with 100A service can support a 40A EV charger once the numbers are checked.

A panel and a service are different parts of the plan

The panel holds the circuit breakers and distributes power. The electrical service is the supply arrangement that brings power into the home: the meter base, service conductors and main disconnect. Replacing a panel does not, by itself, increase the supply capacity.

For service work, the agreed scope can also involve the meter location, grounding, bonding and coordination with the utility for the disconnect and reconnect. Your quote should make these responsibilities clear rather than grouping everything under one unexplained "panel upgrade" line.

What we need to know before quoting

  • What you are adding or changing in the home.
  • Photos of the closed panel, its exterior label and the meter location.
  • Where the equipment is located and whether access is restricted.
  • Any upcoming renovation or electrical project that should be considered at the same time.
  • Any known concerns, such as tripping breakers, buzzing or heat marks, described in your own words.

Only photograph accessible, closed equipment. We arrange a site assessment when the details are not visible from outside the panel.

Plan the interruption as well as the installation

Ask when the power will be off, who coordinates the utility and how the day is scheduled. Most 100A to 200A upgrades take about one working day on site, with power off for part of it. Mention anything in your household that needs special planning during the outage, such as medical equipment or a home office.

This planning belongs in the quote conversation. It gives you a clearer view of the whole project than comparing panel brands or headline prices alone.

Questions to ask about any quote

Does the proposal replace the panel, increase service capacity or both? Which equipment is included? Are added circuits priced separately? Is the ESA permit and inspection included? How are unexpected conditions, such as corroded service conductors, handled?

Explore our panel and service upgrade page for pricing and process. If an EV is the reason for your enquiry, read about charging and load management as part of the same planning conversation.