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Panel Box Upgrade

200A and 400A panel upgrades with modern breaker technology and surge protection.

Typical timeline: 2–4 days
Panel Box Upgrade
A 100A panel isn't enough for a modern home with EV charging, tankless water heater, and central AC. And Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and old fuse panels are documented fire hazards insurance companies now flag on inspection. We upgrade to 200A or 400A service using Square D QO, Eaton BR, or Siemens panels — all with copper bus, whole-home surge protection, and space for future circuits including EV charging. We coordinate the meter swap with your utility, pull the permit, and get the inspection.

Materials

What we install vs. what corner-cutters use.

Panel brand

What we install

Square D QO, Eaton BR, or Siemens with copper bus.

Common shortcut

Federal Pacific, Zinsco (illegal), or off-brand.

Why it matters: Off-brand breakers don't trip reliably.

Surge protection

What we install

Type 2 SPD on the panel, whole-home coverage.

Common shortcut

No surge protection.

Why it matters: One storm without surge protection can fry your appliances.

Labeling

What we install

Printed, updated schedule mounted in the panel.

Common shortcut

Handwritten smeared labels from 1997.

Why it matters: Proper labels save time when you actually need them.

Process

A predictable path — with real durations.

1

Site check & permit

1 day

Confirm scope, pull electrical permit, schedule utility.

2

Panel swap

4–6 hours

Utility disconnect, remove old panel, install new panel, re-terminate all circuits.

3

Utility reconnect

1 hour

Utility inspection and reconnect.

4

City inspection

1 day

City electrical inspection and closeout.

Why us

Why homeowners pick Modern Builders for panel box upgrade.

We coordinate with CenterPoint to minimize the power-off window — usually 4–6 hours on install day. You know the exact window before we start. Every panel we install includes whole-home surge protection (Eaton SPD or equivalent). It's low-grade insurance against Texas thunderstorms. We leave labeled panel schedules — every breaker mapped to what it feeds, printed and mounted inside the panel door.

FAQs

Answers before you ask.

Do I need 200A or 400A?+

200A handles almost every home. Go 400A if you're planning a Level 2 EV charger, tankless electric water heater, and heat pump all at once, or if you're a large home over 4,000 sq ft.

How long will power be off?+

Usually 4–6 hours on install day. We coordinate with your schedule.

Can I add an EV charger later?+

Yes — every panel we install has spare breaker capacity for future circuits.

Do you replace the meter base too?+

Often yes when going from 100A to 200A. We handle it with the utility.

Related reading

Go deeper before you decide.

The Benefits of Panel Box Upgrade

Why homeowners invest in panel box upgrade — and what you actually get back in comfort, value, and day-to-day livability.

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Home Generators and Battery Backups

Portable vs standby generators, natural gas vs propane, and where whole-home batteries like the Tesla Powerwall fit in.

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Outlet Types and Spacing Throughout the Home

Where code says outlets have to go, which rooms need GFCI or AFCI, and the upgrades — USB-C, tamper-resistant, floor outlets — worth adding during a remodel.

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What Is a GFCI Outlet and Why You Need Them

GFCIs shut off power in 25 milliseconds when they detect a ground fault — fast enough to stop electrocution. Here's where code requires them and where cheap remodels skip them.

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What Are Dedicated Electrical Lines and Why Every Home Needs Them

A dedicated circuit serves one appliance, one outlet, one room. Here's why code requires them for kitchens, baths, and major appliances — and where builders skip them anyway.

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Panel Box Upgrade: A Homeowner's Guide

Everything a Houston-area homeowner should know before starting a panel box upgrade project — scope, materials, timeline, and the questions worth asking.

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Get a quote — we do it right.

Fixed-price proposals, real timelines, no corners cut. Tell us about your panel box upgrade project.

Request your quote