What should I expect with an electrical service upgrade?

Navigating the process of a main panel electrical upgrade starts with understanding a few basic steps.

Upgrading your home's electrical service – for example, from 100 amps to 200 amps – can be a bit of a journey, with timelines and costs sometimes out of your contractor’s control. Utilities like PG&E or SDG&E might add requirements, such as moving the panel, which can increase both cost and duration. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Initial Deposit: Your electrician will ask for a deposit, which covers the utility application fee and their processing costs. This might be a fixed amount or a variable fee, with any leftover funds returned to you. Sometimes, a city application is also needed.

2. Application Submission: Your contractor will submit the application to the utility on your behalf.

3. Utility Assessment: The utility will assess the application and respond with one of several possible outcomes. They might give you the green light, request additional work from you, or need to perform their own work. They’ll also provide a timeline, which can range from a few months to over a year.                                   

   • Based on this response, your contractor might need to adjust their project estimate, and the utility could request an engineering deposit.

4. Decision Point: With more clarity on the project’s scope and cost, you’ll be able to decide whether to move forward. At this stage, you’re only responsible for the payments you’ve already made.
5. Moving Forward: If you decide to proceed, you might need to pay additional deposits to the contractor or utility. The project will then continue according to the utility’s timeline.