The Smart Homeowner's Guide to an Electrical Panel Upgrade from a Licensed Electrician
Many households in Palos Hills, IL have no idea that their electrical panel could be struggling to keep up with the load of a today's home. Aging panels were never designed to support the range of appliances, devices, and systems that exist in most residences today. An electrical panel upgrade corrects that gap at its root.
Reed Electrical Services, LLC. has helped families across Palos Hills and surrounding communities through skilled electrical panel upgrade services for over a decade. Our certified technicians know that this isn't just a technical job — it's a matter of your home's overall performance. That's a commitment we don't take lightly.
No matter if you're renovating your kitchen or frustrated by flickering lights, an electrical panel upgrade is often what your house needs. This guide walks you through everything involved — from what the upgrade entails to who benefits most.
What Exactly Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
An electrical panel upgrade means removing an outdated electrical panel — also called a breaker box or load center — with a modern panel rated for greater amperage. The panel controls every electrical path in your residence, routing power to outlets, switches, appliances, and systems. When it's no longer adequate, problems follow.
Properties built before the 1990s came equipped with panels designed to handle 60 to 100 amps, which felt like plenty at the time. Today's homes routinely draw 150 to 200 amps or more, considering EV charging stations, central air conditioning, and whole-home generators. The upgrade process itself involves disconnecting the utility feed, removing the old panel, installing the new enclosure, transferring or replacing breakers, and reconnecting every circuit.
Today's upgraded units feature dual-function breakers that protect against both arc faults and ground faults, complying with current National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. The difference isn't superficial — these features actively prevent the risk of electrical fire and shock in your home.
Why Homeowners Choose an Electrical Panel Upgrade
- Increased Amperage — Moving to modern amperage levels gives your home room to grow without tripping breakers.
- Enhanced Fire Prevention — Outdated breaker boxes have a history of unsafe operation, making replacement a priority.
- NEC Compliance — A panel upgrade brings your home's electrical system up to current code requirements, something lenders and insurers increasingly require.
- Support for EV Charging — Adding an electric vehicle charger demands significant amperage that older 60-amp services cannot handle.
- Reduced Insurance Premiums — Some insurers reduce rates significantly when a new code-compliant panel is installed.
- Better Marketability — Home buyers and their lenders commonly require panel upgrades, so upgrading before listing pays off at closing.
- Reliable, Consistent Power — Tripped breakers, dimming lights, and warm outlet covers are symptoms of an overtaxed panel.
- Scalability — Any major home improvement that adds electrical load is much easier to permit and complete after an upgrade is in place.
What to Expect During Your Electrical Panel Upgrade
-
Initial Assessment and Consultation
One of our certified professionals visits your home to assess the existing service. Our team notes every relevant detail — breaker count, wire gauge, clearance, and service size. This step determines what size and type of panel you need.
-
Handling Permits and the Utility Company
Our team files every necessary permit with the local authority having jurisdiction before we schedule the job. Simultaneously, we coordinate with ComEd or the appropriate utility to arrange a temporary service disconnect for the upgrade.
-
Safe De-Energization and Panel Removal
With the meter pulled and power confirmed off, we document and tag each individual circuit wire before removing the old breakers and panel enclosure. This is a step that separates careful work from rushed work.
-
Mounting and Wiring the New Load Center
The new panel enclosure is mounted, grounded, and bonded according to the permit drawings. Each circuit is then reconnected to appropriately rated AFCI or GFCI breakers, with a completed, legible circuit directory.
-
Passing the Electrical Inspection
A city or county inspector examines the finished work to confirm everything meets permit requirements. With the approval in hand, we contact the utility to restore the meter and your home is energized.
-
Load Testing and Homeowner Education
Each branch circuit is tested to ensure correct voltage and continuity. Our technician explains your new setup — identifying every circuit on the new directory and what to do if a breaker trips.
Who Benefits Most from an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Properties best suited for an electrical panel upgrade are those dealing with one or more of the following signals: a service rated below 100 amps; panels manufactured by brands that have been recalled or flagged; or properties where new major loads have been click here added without a corresponding panel upgrade. If any of these apply, a professional assessment is the right first step.
Homes built before 1990 are particularly likely to benefit given the significant changes in how we use electricity since then. That said a newer home can still need an upgrade — a property that added a large addition, a hot tub, and a whole-home generator after construction could be just as undersized as a 1970s home.
Those who may want to explore alternatives first might involve scenarios in which an electrician determines the root cause is upstream at the utility transformer rather than the panel itself. We provide a clear-eyed diagnosis so you know exactly what's necessary and why.
Common Questions on Electrical Panel Upgrade
What's the typical duration of an electrical panel upgrade?The typical upgrade job is completed in a single day assuming no unexpected conditions inside the walls. Larger service upgrades — such as moving from 100 to 200 amps with new meter base work — may run a full day. Your power will be off for the majority of the work.
How much should I budget for an electrical panel upgrade?What you'll pay for an electrical panel upgrade is influenced by multiple considerations: panel size, brand, breaker count, service entrance condition, and any associated code corrections. Generally speaking in the southwest suburbs, a 200-amp panel upgrade typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,500. We provide detailed estimates after evaluating your existing setup.
Will the electrical panel upgrade cause major inconvenience?Most of the job happens at the panel, with minimal disruption elsewhere, and the rest of the home is generally unaffected. Plan for a day without electricity and the project is otherwise straightforward. Homeowners typically find the process far less disruptive than they anticipated.
Is a permit required for an electrical panel upgrade in Illinois?A permit is required without exception for this type of work under Illinois law and local ordinances. The permit process exists to protect you, not as a bureaucratic hurdle. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. handles all permit filings so the administrative side is handled for you.
What's the difference between a panel repair and an electrical panel upgrade?One faulty circuit breaker may only require a single breaker swap. When the core issue is capacity, age, brand, or code compliance rather than a single component, a full electrical panel upgrade is the right call. Our evaluation process gives you a definitive answer so you're not guessing.
Electrical Panel Upgrade for Palos Hills Homeowners
Homeowners throughout Palos Hills includes a wide range of housing stock, from homes along Roberts Road and 95th Street to newer developments closer to the Palos Hills city limits. Residential properties throughout the community were wired under codes that are now several revisions behind the current NEC. Our team have worked on the types of electrical systems that are typical throughout the Palos Hills region.
Our service area is experiencing significant interest in electric vehicle infrastructure, solar tie-ins, and home office circuits. Whether you're near the Palos Hills City Hall area on 83rd Street, off Kean Avenue, close to the forest preserves at Tampier Lake, or anywhere else in the community, our team is nearby and familiar with the local permit office and inspection process. Working with electricians who know the area makes the permitting, inspection, and scheduling process far smoother.
Book Your Electrical Panel Upgrade Assessment
Whether you're planning a major renovation or simply want peace of mind about your home's electrical safety, an electrical panel upgrade is one of the highest-value investments toward a safer, more capable home. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. brings licensed, permitted, code-compliant work to every property we serve. Reach out to our team now to schedule your consultation — and find out exactly what your home's electrical system needs to perform safely for decades to come.
Reed Electrical Services, LLC. | 9735 South 81st Avenue | Palos Hills IL 60465 | (708) 837-9993