Electrical panel upgrades in Lithia, FL
If your breakers trip often, your panel feels warm, or you're adding an EV charger, your electrical panel may not be keeping up. Our licensed electricians handle panel upgrades across Lithia and FishHawk with same-day estimates and 24-hour emergency service if your panel becomes unsafe.
Signs your electrical panel needs an upgrade
Panels don't usually fail all at once. They give small warnings first. Here's what to watch for in your Lithia home.
Breakers trip often
A breaker that trips regularly, even without an obvious overload, is telling you the panel is struggling to keep up.
Lights flicker or dim
If lights dip when the AC or a large appliance kicks on, the panel or service line may be undersized for your home.
The panel feels warm
A warm panel, discoloration, or a burning smell near the box is a real safety concern, not a minor issue to put off.
You're adding an EV charger or spa
A Level 2 EV charger, hot tub, or induction range often pushes an older 100-amp panel past what it was built to handle.
No open slots left
A full panel with no room for new circuits usually means it's time to move up to a larger box, not squeeze in another tandem breaker.
The panel is 25+ years old
Most panels last 25 to 40 years, but age combined with any of these other signs is a good reason to have it checked.
Do you have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?
If your Lithia home was built or last rewired between the 1950s and 1980s, it's worth checking the label on your panel. Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) and Zinsco panels were widely installed during that period, and both brands have a well-documented history of breakers that fail to trip properly during an overload — which is the one job a breaker is supposed to do.
- Neither brand was issued a formal recall, but both are widely flagged as fire-safety hazards by electricians and safety researchers
- Many insurance companies will not write or renew a policy on a home with one of these panels in place
- Replacing one is a standard panel upgrade — in most cases, your existing wiring can stay as-is
Not sure what brand your panel is? Send us a photo of the label when you call, or we can check it during a free estimate.
100, 150, or 200 amp: which panel fits your home?
We run a load calculation before recommending a size, but here's a general starting point.
Smaller, older homes
Common in homes with gas heat and cooking and no major electric loads planned. Increasingly tight for modern households.
Mid-size homes
A good fit if you're adding some circuits or converting a garage or bonus room, without needing a full 200-amp jump.
The modern standard
Right for most Lithia and FishHawk homes, especially with an EV charger, hot tub, or heat pump on the horizon.
How a panel upgrade works, start to finish
A panel upgrade involves your local utility and a permitted inspection, so here's the honest rundown of what actually happens.
Load calculation
We check your home's actual electrical demand, including anything you're planning to add, to size the new panel correctly.
Permit & utility coordination
We pull the required permit and coordinate the temporary disconnect with the utility company, so power comes back safely.
Panel installation
The old panel comes out, the new one goes in, and every circuit is labeled and tested before we call it finished.
Inspection & reconnect
A local inspector signs off on the work, and we handle scheduling that inspection so you don't have to chase anyone down.
Related electrical services
Comfortable with the panels Lithia homes already have
Common questions about panel upgrades
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost?+
Most 100-to-200-amp panel upgrades in this area run between roughly $1,500 and $4,000, depending on your panel's current condition, whether the meter base or service line also needs work, and any permit fees. We'll give you an exact number after a free on-site look.
How long does a panel upgrade take?+
Most residential panel upgrades are finished in a single day, typically 6 to 10 hours. Your power will be off for part of that time while the old panel comes out and the new one is installed and tested.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?+
Yes, a permit is required anywhere the service entrance is being changed. We handle pulling the permit and scheduling the required inspection as part of the job.
Can I upgrade just part of my panel instead of replacing it all?+
Partial upgrades are rarely a good long-term fix and usually aren't worth the cost compared to a full replacement, especially on panels over 25 years old. We'll always tell you honestly if a smaller repair is a real option for your situation.
Will upgrading my panel let me add an EV charger later?+
Often, yes. If you're planning to add an EV charger down the road, tell us during the estimate. We can size the new panel and even pre-wire for the charger circuit now, which is much cheaper than opening the wall again later.
Is it safe to keep using my home while I wait to schedule an upgrade?+
In most cases, yes, especially if the only sign is an occasional tripped breaker. But if you notice a burning smell, warm panel, or visible scorch marks, stop using that circuit and call our emergency line right away instead of waiting.
Get a free panel upgrade estimate
Not sure if you need a full upgrade or just a repair? We'll take a look and give you an honest answer either way. Prefer to reach out online? Visit our contact page.
Serving Lithia and nearby FishHawk, Riverview, Valrico, and Gibsonton. See our full service area list or learn more about our team.