Electrical Panel Upgrades • Reno & Sparks
A safer electrical system, planned for what your home needs next.
Surge Electric provides panel replacements, service upgrades, repairs, and electrical-capacity evaluations for homeowners throughout Reno, Sparks, and surrounding Washoe County communities.
Licensed Nevada Contractor • Bonded • Insured • Owner Operated
Capacity Planning
Adding an EV charger, hot tub, air conditioner, remodel, workshop, or new circuit does not automatically mean the entire electrical service must be replaced.
We review the existing panel, available spaces, service rating, grounding, proposed equipment, and dwelling load before recommending a solution. The goal is to give you the capacity and safety your project requires without selling unnecessary work.
Choosing the Right Type of Upgrade
These terms are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they solve different problems. We evaluate the existing service, usable breaker space, calculated load, and future plans before recommending the scope.
The existing service panel and breakers are replaced with new equipment because of age, damage, corrosion, obsolete components, limited replacement-part availability, or installation concerns. A service replacement does not increase the home's utility service amperage, but it provides new service equipment and breakers for improved safety, reliability, and future maintenance.
A larger electrical service panel can provide additional breaker positions, a cleaner circuit arrangement, and more room to use available capacity when the existing service has capacity to spare. The larger enclosure creates space for future circuits, but it does not increase the home's utility service amperage or create additional electrical capacity by itself.
A full electrical service upgrade increases the amount of power available to the home. This is the most extensive service option and requires detailed coordination with NV Energy Planning and Development to determine whether the requested amperage can be supported and what utility-side upgrades are required. Project- specific plans, permits, and approval from the local building department are also required before the new service can be installed and energized.
A subpanel adds circuit spaces in a garage, addition, workshop, or another practical location. It distributes existing capacity; it does not increase the total utility service rating.
When the existing service does not have enough available capacity for an EV charger, hot tub, electric HVAC equipment, or another major load, listed load-management equipment may allow the new equipment to be installed intelligently without a full service upgrade. When it is a good fit, this approach can avoid extensive utility and service work and save the homeowner a substantial amount of money.
When to Have It Evaluated
Your panel is full, crowded, or no longer has practical space for planned electrical additions.
Visible corrosion, heat damage, loose components, damaged breakers, or obsolete equipment deserves professional review.
EV charging, hot tubs, HVAC equipment, additions, workshops, and remodels may change the home's electrical demand.
A home inspector, jurisdiction, buyer, or insurer may identify panel conditions requiring correction or documentation.
Panel Upgrade Planning
A successful panel project considers the complete installation—not only the new enclosure. The exact scope depends on the existing service and the work being performed.
Panel Upgrade Pricing
Panel work is not priced by the amperage label alone. Two homes with the same service rating can require very different labor, materials, utility coordination, and access work.
Indoor versus outdoor equipment, meter-main versus separate equipment, and overhead versus underground service all affect the project scope.
The existing rating, calculated dwelling load, requested loads, and utility-approved capacity determine whether the project is a replacement or a true service increase.
Circuit count, conductor length, damaged wiring, crowded enclosures, obsolete breakers, and identification needs affect the time required to safely reterminate and label the system.
Grounding-electrode access, bonding corrections, water-pipe bonding, ground rods, and existing conductor conditions may need to be included in the permitted scope.
NV Energy requirements, engineering review, disconnect and reconnect scheduling, jurisdictional permits, and inspection timing can affect both cost and schedule.
Drywall, stucco, siding, framing, conductor routing, and the physical size of the replacement equipment can require additional access or repair work.
Whole-home surge protection, generator provisions, smart-panel equipment, additional breaker spaces, and future EV or HVAC plans can be included when they make sense for the home.
We identify visible conditions, assumptions, exclusions, and optional work in the written proposal. Concealed damage or required corrections discovered after opening equipment are discussed before additional work proceeds.
Not Sure Which Option Fits?
Send clear photos of the panel, meter, main breaker, and surrounding work area. We'll review the existing equipment and explain whether the project looks like a service replacement, larger panel, subpanel, load-management solution, or full service upgrade.
Recent Panel Upgrade Projects
These before-and-after projects show the type of panel replacement, service-equipment, grounding, disconnect, and capacity work Surge Electric performs for local homeowners.
Reno, Nevada
Replaced aging outdoor service equipment with a new 200-amp service panel and reterminated the existing branch circuits. The completed installation provided additional breaker space and a cleaner arrangement for future electrical work.
Reno, Nevada
Upgraded the outdoor service equipment and installed a generator inlet with the required listed transfer or interlock equipment for a controlled backup-power connection.
Sparks, Nevada
Replaced deteriorated exterior service equipment with a new 100-amp outdoor panel, reterminated the existing circuits, and updated the service components included in the approved scope.
Washoe County, Nevada
Replaced the service equipment while coordinating the existing solar disconnect and reconnection requirements. The project included the permitted service work and required inspection sequence.
Washoe County, Nevada
Replaced the older service equipment with a 200-amp meter-main and smart electrical panel. The finished installation added breaker space, circuit-level monitoring and control, and provisions for future electrical additions.
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
Nestor was really easy to work with and took his time installing my new electrical panel. He was also very generous in assisting me with my generator hookup. Great, clean work and definitely highly recommended!
★★★★★
Great communication and excellent quality work. He not only solved our problem but left the existing wiring looking nice and neat. I will always call him for my electrical needs. Great value!
★★★★★
Satisfied beyond imagination! Nestor kept me informed throughout the process and completed the work with professionalism. His work was clean and excellent.
Installation Day
The exact schedule depends on the service arrangement, inspection, and utility coordination, but we explain the expected outage and access requirements before the project is placed on the calendar.
Power is turned off while the service equipment is being replaced and the circuits are being reterminated. A straightforward project is often completed within one working day, but the outage window depends on field conditions and the reconnect sequence.
We confirm access to the panel, meter, grounding locations, and required interior areas. Homeowners usually do not need to stand by the project all day, but reliable access and a reachable contact are required.
Sensitive electronics can be shut down before the outage, the panel area should be cleared, and refrigerators and freezers should remain closed as much as possible while power is off.
When the utility must disconnect service, reconnection occurs after the required inspection approval. We coordinate the contractor-side scheduling, but utility and inspector arrival windows can affect the final restoration time.
Many replacements require little wall opening, but panel size, conductor routing, grounding access, stucco, siding, or concealed conditions can require limited access work. Expected disturbance is identified in the proposal whenever possible.
After power is restored, circuits are checked, the panel directory is updated as accurately as practical, and we review the completed equipment and any follow-up items with the homeowner.
What to Expect
Send clear photos of the existing panel, meter, main breaker, surrounding work area, and access conditions so we can understand the existing service before scheduling.
We verify the existing equipment, service arrangement, grounding, access, loads, and applicable project requirements.
You receive a clear description of the proposed work, assumptions, exclusions, and next steps.
The work is completed cleanly and safely, with required inspections and utility coordination handled as applicable.
Capacity for What Comes Next
Panel Upgrade Questions
An older panel is not automatically an emergency. However, warmth, buzzing, sparking, burning odors, corrosion, or visible heat damage should be evaluated promptly.
These brands are often flagged because of age, performance concerns, or limited replacement-part availability. We evaluate the exact equipment and condition before recommending replacement.
Repeated trips, flickering, buzzing, warmth, burning odors, discoloration, or no usable circuit space can indicate a problem. Because these symptoms can also come from a circuit or appliance, diagnosis should come first.
A straightforward replacement is often completed within one working day. The outage window depends on the service arrangement, inspection timing, and NV Energy reconnect schedule.
Many exterior replacements require little wall opening. Limited access may still be needed for conductors, grounding, concealed conditions, or larger equipment, and we identify likely disturbance in the proposal.
Yes. When required, Surge Electric coordinates permits, inspections, and contractor communication with NV Energy. Utility reconnection follows the required inspection approval.
Installation may take one working day, but the overall project can take longer because of permits, utility review, material availability, and inspection scheduling.
The correct service size depends on the home, major loads, existing equipment, and future plans. We recommend the needed option rather than automatically selling the largest service.
A subpanel adds circuit spaces but does not increase utility service capacity. It can be a good option when the existing service has available capacity and the main issue is space or circuit distribution.
We plan around expected future loads such as EV charging, HVAC, hot tubs, workshops, additions, and solar-related equipment.
Usually not. Existing branch-circuit wiring is generally reconnected when it is serviceable. Damaged or unsafe wiring may need correction, but a panel replacement does not automatically require rewiring the entire home.
Some insurers, inspectors, lenders, and buyers flag certain older panel brands or visible defects. Requirements vary, so confirm any specific insurance requirement directly with the carrier.
Possible additional costs include utility charges, grounding work, damaged conductors, required corrections, and wall or exterior access. Our proposals identify known assumptions, exclusions, and options.
Local Service Area
Request a Panel Evaluation
Upload photos of the panel, meter, main breaker, surrounding area, and any new equipment you plan to install. We'll review the information and explain the next step.
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM