Electrical Panel Upgrade in Seattle, WA
Licensed electricians for Seattle fuse box replacements, panel swaps and 200-amp service upgrades. We pull the SDCI permit, coordinate City Light when you need more amps, and give you a written price before any work begins: a $179 visit with diagnostics and a free upgrade estimate.
Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC • BBB Accredited Business since 2002 • Best Pick 2025 and 2026
Seattle panel upgrades, at a glance
Home Comfort Alliance's licensed electricians handle electrical panel upgrades in Seattle homes, from fuse boxes and 60- or 100-amp panels to 200-amp service. We pull the SDCI permit, prepare the Seattle City Light service application when your home needs more amps, and give you a written, upfront price before any work begins.
The first visit is $179 with diagnostics included, and the estimate for the upgrade itself is free. Book 24/7 by phone or online; our electricians work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible. Call (425) 645-0404 or use the form at the end of this page.
Panel hot, buzzing or smelling of burning? Switch off the main breaker if you can reach it safely and keep everyone clear. Call 911 for smoke or fire, and Seattle City Light for a downed line. Then book an electrician in Seattle for the first business-hours visit.
Signs your Seattle home needs a new panel
- You still have a fuse box, or the house runs on 60- or 100-amp service.
- You are planning a heat pump, EV charger, hot tub, ADU or kitchen remodel.
- Breakers trip, will not reset, or the lights flicker when big appliances start.
- The panel is warm, buzzes, or has scorch marks or rust.
- Every breaker space is used, or breakers have been doubled up to make room.
- The panel is a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco or another model that is no longer made.
- Your home inspector or insurer has flagged the panel.
Panel swap or service upgrade?
If your home has enough amps, a panel swap replaces the old panel at the same size and needs only an SDCI permit. If you need more amps, it is a service upgrade: the meter base and often the mast or service cable change, and Seattle City Light has to approve and reconnect the larger service.
| Panel swap | Service upgrade | |
|---|---|---|
| Amps | Same as today | More, for example 100 to 200 |
| Meter base, mast, service cable | Usually unchanged | Often replaced |
| SDCI electrical permit | Yes | Yes |
| Seattle City Light application | No, only a disconnect and reconnect | Yes |
| Typical reasons | Fuse box, obsolete or damaged panel, no breaker space | Heat pump, EV charger, remodel, all-electric home |
For a fuller guide to amperage and older panel types, see our electrical panel upgrades across the Seattle-Tacoma area.
How much power does your Seattle home need?
A load calculation answers this before anyone sells you a panel. Seattle City Light notes that reducing your existing load can reduce the need for a service upgrade (City Light capacity FAQ), so we look at what you have now and what you plan to add.
If the load check shows you are close to the limit, a smart panel or load management device can sometimes add a heat pump or EV charger without more amps. We install smart panels and will tell you whether one fits your home.
Heat pumps
Many Seattle homes switching from oil or gas to a heat pump in Seattle can stay on 200-amp service; homes on 100 amps often need an upgrade or a lower-load design. We check the panel on the same visit as the heat pump estimate.
EV chargers
A Level 2 charger is one of the largest loads in a house. Read EV charger permits, panel upgrades and timelines, or see our EV charger installation. The federal 30C charger credit ended for property placed in service after 30 June 2026.
Hot tubs, ADUs and remodels
A backyard cottage, a hot tub or a full kitchen remodel can each push an older Seattle service past its limit. Plan the panel with the project so the permit and the City Light timeline fit your schedule.
Older Seattle homes: fuse boxes, Federal Pacific and Zinsco
Seattle's craftsman houses, Tudors and mid-century ramblers in neighborhoods like Wallingford, Ballard, Queen Anne and West Seattle often still carry original fuse boxes, small services or panels that are no longer made. Our electricians check the panel, the grounding and the circuits feeding it, and tell you plainly whether it needs replacing.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission closed its review of Federal Pacific breakers in 1983 without finding a proven serious risk (CPSC), yet these panels are hard to get parts for and inspectors and insurers often ask about them. If you have a newer Square D QO plug-on-neutral load center made from 2020 to 2022, check the 2022 CPSC recall. Knob and tube wiring and two-prong outlets are covered on our Seattle electrician page.
Seattle permits and the City Light service upgrade, step by step
SDCI permit and inspections
In Seattle, electrical permits come from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), not L&I. SDCI requires a permit any time wiring is installed, altered, extended or connected, and most permits need cover, service and final inspections (SDCI electrical permits). We pull the required permits for every installation.
Seattle City Light, when you need more amps
- Your electrician prepares the load information and site details.
- The Electric Service Application is filed online with City Light.
- City Light processes it; the city asks you to allow 4 to 6 weeks for initial processing, and a representative calls within 5 to 10 business days after that.
- SDCI approves the work first, then City Light inspects.
- City Light collects its charges before it completes the connection.
City Light's charges may or may not be included in a contractor's price (City Light service applications). Your written estimate from us says which. Outside Seattle, permits come from L&I or your city; see our regional panel upgrade guide.
What a panel upgrade costs in Seattle
Angi puts the average Seattle electrical panel replacement at about $2,022, with most projects between $870 and $3,202 (a regional estimate, updated July 2026). A 100 to 200 amp service upgrade with a new meter base or mast usually costs more, and City Light's connection charges are a separate line. Your price comes from a free estimate.
Home Comfort Alliance prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Electrical visit, diagnostics included | $179 |
| Breaker replacement | $171 |
| Standard outlet replacement | $104 |
| Panel swap or service upgrade | Free estimate and a written, upfront price |
Prices as of Sep 2026.
Current offers: $200 off an electrical panel upgrade, and 10% off electrical service or repair.
Seattle benchmark (regional estimate)
| Measure | Seattle |
|---|---|
| Average panel replacement | $2,022 |
| Most projects | $870 to $3,202 |
| Permit fees | $240 to $365 |
Source: Angi, electrical box replacement cost in Seattle, updated 9 July 2026. Not Home Comfort Alliance's price.
Rebates and tax credits (updated October 2026)
The state HEAR program lists panel and wiring upgrades needed for new electric equipment as eligible for income-qualified households, through administrators that include the City of Seattle; amounts are not published, so ask us to check (Commerce HEAR). The federal panel rebate has not launched in Washington (Commerce, June 2026), and the federal 25C tax credit ended for property placed in service after 31 December 2025.
Financing
Payment plans starting at $179/month* through Salal Credit Union and Synchrony, with 0% interest options for qualifying customers. See financing.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
Get a free estimateAn in-home visit and a written, upfront price before any work begins.
How a Seattle panel upgrade works with us
- Book 24/7 by phone or online.
- An electrician visits, checks the panel, service and grounding, and runs the load check ($179, diagnostics included).
- You get a free estimate and a written, upfront price.
- We pull the SDCI permit and, if you need more amps, file the City Light application.
- On install day we disconnect, set the new panel, update grounding and bonding, and label every circuit.
- SDCI inspects, City Light inspects and reconnects when the service changed, and we walk you through the new panel.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Licensed electricians (WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC), licensed, bonded and insured in Washington
- We pull the SDCI permit and handle the City Light paperwork
- Upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins
- 1-year labor warranty on installations
- One company for the heat pump, EV charger or furnace and the panel it needs
- All major panel brands, including Square D, Eaton and Siemens, and smart panels
- Best Pick 2025 and 2026, and a BBB Accredited Business since 2002
Where we upgrade panels in Seattle
Our electricians come from our Redmond branch and work across Seattle, including:
- North Seattle: Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, University District, Ravenna, Wedgwood, Northgate and Lake City
- Central Seattle: Capitol Hill, Central District, Madison Park, Queen Anne and Magnolia
- West Seattle: Alki, Admiral, Fauntleroy and Delridge
Nearby: Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland. Outside Seattle, see electrical panel upgrades across Puget Sound.
Seattle panel upgrade FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Seattle?
Yes. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) requires an electrical permit any time wiring is installed, altered, extended or connected, and a panel replacement qualifies. Most panel permits need a cover, service and final inspection. We pull the required permit for every installation.
Do I have to apply to Seattle City Light for a panel upgrade?
Only when the size of your service changes, for example going from 100 amps to 200 amps. Then your electrician submits an Electric Service Application to City Light. City Light asks you to allow 4 to 6 weeks for initial processing, and the new service is connected only after SDCI approves the work and City Light inspects it. A same-size panel swap does not need a City Light application.
What is the difference between a panel swap and a service upgrade?
A panel swap replaces the breaker box with a new one of the same size. A service upgrade raises the amps coming into your home, which usually means new meter base or mast work, a City Light application and a utility disconnect and reconnect. Both need an SDCI permit.
Is 100-amp service enough, or do I need 200?
It depends on what you run and what you plan to add. Many older Seattle homes on 100 amps are fine until a heat pump, EV charger or hot tub is added. A load calculation shows whether your current service has room. Our panel upgrade guide compares 100, 200 and 400 amps in more detail.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in Seattle?
With us, the electrician visit is $179 and includes diagnostics, and the estimate for the upgrade is free and in writing before work starts. For a regional estimate, Angi puts a Seattle breaker box replacement at an average of $2,022 (July 2026). Service upgrades that need meter or mast work cost more, and City Light connection charges are separate.
Do I need a panel upgrade for a heat pump or EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation comes first. Seattle City Light notes that reducing existing load can reduce the need for a service upgrade, so options like a smaller circuit or managing when big loads run may avoid one. If your panel is full or your service is too small, an upgrade is the safer path.
I have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel. Should I replace it?
Many homeowners replace these older panels, and home inspectors and insurers often ask about them. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission closed its Federal Pacific investigation in 1983 without a recall. Our electrician checks the panel's condition, breakers and connections and tells you plainly whether it should stay or go.
How long will my power be off during a panel upgrade?
It depends on whether it is a same-size swap or a service change, and on Seattle's electrical permit and inspection process: SDCI inspects the work, and for a service change City Light reconnects only after its own inspection. We schedule the shutoff with you and tell you the plan for your home before work starts.
Are there rebates or tax credits for panel upgrades in Seattle?
Washington's state HEAR program lists panel and wiring upgrades needed for new electric equipment for income-qualified households, through administrators that include the City of Seattle; no amount is published. The federal Home Energy Rebates have not launched in Washington as of June 2026. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Ask us to check current programs for your home.
Can I do the panel work myself?
SDCI lets homeowners pull an electrical permit for work on a home they own and live in, but panel and service work involves live utility connections. We recommend a licensed electrical contractor. You can check any contractor's license with Washington L&I Verify.
Do you offer same-day or emergency electrical service?
Book 24/7 by phone or online. Our electricians work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible. If you smell burning or see smoke at your panel, call 911.
Do you upgrade panels for businesses too?
Yes. Our electricians handle residential and commercial electrical work. Call (425) 645-0404 to talk about your building.
Sources
- Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, electrical permit
- Seattle City Light, apply for new or upgraded service
- Seattle City Light, capacity, load and service questions
- Washington State Department of Commerce, HEAR program
- Washington State Department of Commerce, IRA Home Energy Rebates
- IRS, FAQs on changes to sections 25C and 30C
- CPSC, Federal Pacific circuit breaker investigation closed (1983)
- CPSC, Square D QO plug-on-neutral load center recall (2022)
- Angi, cost to replace a circuit breaker box in Seattle (updated July 2026)
- Washington L&I, Verify a Contractor
Sources checked October 2026.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance in Seattle?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get a free panel upgrade estimate
Tell us what is going on. A licensed electrician from our Redmond branch will diagnose it for $179 and give you a written, upfront price before any work begins.
Request an electrician
Book 24/7. Our electricians work Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with same-day service when possible.