Electrical Services
Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades
Capacity increases, obsolete panel replacement and full service upgrades with utility coordination.
A panel upgrade is rarely about the panel. It is about a building that was wired for the loads of forty years ago and is now carrying EV chargers, heat pumps, server closets and kitchen equipment nobody anticipated. We size the new service for what the building will actually need, not just what it draws today.
When a panel needs replacing
Some indicators are obvious and some are not. These are worth a look:
- Breakers that trip repeatedly on circuits that are not obviously overloaded
- A panel that is full, with tandem breakers doubled into slots not rated for them
- Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco equipment, which has documented failure-to-trip issues
- Fuses rather than breakers in a commercial building
- Scorching, corrosion, or a burnt smell at the panel
- Planned load additions — EV charging, HVAC replacement, kitchen or shop equipment
- Warm breakers or a warm deadfront under normal load
What the work involves
A service upgrade means coordinating a utility disconnect, replacing the service entrance conductors and meter equipment, setting the new panel, transferring and labeling every circuit, and passing inspection before the utility will reconnect. On commercial buildings it usually also means a load calculation that the jurisdiction will accept.
We handle the utility coordination and permitting rather than leaving it with you. Xcel Energy scheduling in particular has lead times that are worth managing early.
Labeling and documentation
We leave every panel with a legible, accurate directory. It sounds minor until an emergency happens and nobody can find the right breaker. For commercial clients we provide as-built panel schedules in digital form.
Common questions
How long does a panel upgrade take?
The physical work on a straightforward residential service upgrade is typically one day. Commercial service upgrades vary widely with size and utility coordination. The schedule driver is usually permitting and utility disconnect scheduling rather than the installation itself.
Will my power be off?
Yes, for part of the work. We coordinate the outage window in advance and, on commercial buildings, can often sequence the work to keep critical circuits energized or provide temporary power.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Service and panel work requires a permit and inspection in every Colorado jurisdiction we work in. We pull the permit and manage the inspection as part of the job.
Ready to talk about your project?
Tell us what you need and we will give you a straight answer on scope, schedule and cost. No obligation, and no pressure if it turns out we are not the right fit.