UBCNews - Business - Does Your Electrical Panel Need an Upgrade? San Diego Pros Explain The Process

Episode Date: March 11, 2026

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're talking about something that affects thousands of San Diego homeowners, especially those with older properties—electrical panel upgrades. If you've ever had your lights flicker when the AC kicks on, or if you're tripping breakers constantly, this episode is for you. Point Loma Home Pros City: San Diego Address: 4990 Viewridge Ave Website: https://www.pointlomahomepros.com

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're talking about something that affects thousands of San Diego homeowners, especially those with older properties, electrical panel upgrades. If you've ever had your lights flicker when the AC kicks on, or if you're tripping breakers constantly, this episode is for you. Yeah, and it's funny you mention that because so many people don't realize their home's electrical system is stuck in the past. I mean, homes built in the 70s or 80s were designed for maybe a T-10s. TV and a few lamps. Now we've got multiple computers, smart home devices, EV chargers. The demand is just completely different. Right, exactly. So let's talk warning signs first. What should homeowners be looking out for?

Okay, so the big ones. Frequent breaker trips, flickering or dimming lights when you run major appliances, buzzing sounds near outlets, warm outlets, or burn marks. And if you're relying heavily on extension cord, and power strips everywhere, that's a red flag too. Oh, and any panel with fuses, that needs to be replaced immediately. Mm-hmm, makes sense. And what happens if people just ignore these signs? I imagine it goes beyond an inconvenience. Definitely, old panels can overload circuits,

which creates heat that melts insulation and can spark fires. In fact, around 47,000 home fires happen every year in the U.S. due to electrical failures. Plus, outdated panels often lack safety features like GFCIs and AFCIs. And here's something people don't think about. Coastal salt air in San Diego accelerates corrosion. Insurance companies may actually refuse coverage for homes with really outdated panels. Wow, that's a serious financial risk on top of the safety issue.

So let's get into the numbers. What does an electrical panel upgrade actually cost in San Diego? Diego. Well, costs can vary quite a bit. You're generally looking at a range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on factors like panel size, the age of your home, existing wiring condition, and permit fees. For a standard 200-amp upgrade with overhead service, you might see $9,000 to $12,000. Underground service can run significantly higher, sometimes $12,000 to $20,000 because of trenching requirements. I see, that's helpful. The breakdown typically includes materials like the panel itself, circuit breakers, wiring, conduit, and grounding, plus labor for installation and removal of the old panel.

But every home is different, so getting a detailed estimate from a licensed contractor who can assess your specific situation is really the way to go. Getting that assessment, or we could say having that evaluation done properly, can save you from surprises down the road. That's quite a range. And speaking of permits, the process sounds pretty involved. Can you walk us through it? Sure, so first you submit a work order request with SDG&E to upgrade your electrical service. They assign a planner who designs your project, specifies things like conduit size, meter height, panel location. Then you need a city permit to ensure everything's code. compliant. If you have underground service, SDG&E reviews the conduit route before any digging starts. So there's coordination with both the city and the utility company.

Exactly. After that, your electrician excavates the trench if needed, installs the conduit, and S2B&E inspects it before backfilling. Then the grounding system goes in, ground rods, coal water bonds. On installation day, SDG and E disconnects power at the source, The old panel is removed. The new one is installed with all circuits and breakers connected properly. Power only comes back after inspection. That point about proper permitting and code compliance sets up our next piece, choosing the right contractor.

But first, a quick word from our sponsor. If you're a San Diego homeowner dealing with an outdated electrical panel, Point Loma Home Pros can help. They specialize in electrical, plumbing, heating, and air services for older homes. homes across the area. Their license team handles panel upgrades, EV charger installations, and full rewiring with a focus on safety and code compliance. They manage permits, inspections, and coordination with SDG&E so you don't have to. Learn more at pointloamahompros.com. Picking up on that code compliance piece, how do homeowners know they're hiring the right contractor

for this kind of work? Great question. Experience with older homes really matters. San Diego has tons of older properties in neighborhoods like Point Loma, North Park, La Mesa, La Jolla. These homes often have outdated wiring, aluminum circuits, panels not built for modern demands. A contractor who understands these challenges can safely upgrade systems without compromising the home structure and ensure everything's up to code. Actually, I had a friend who hired someone without checking references. turned out the guy didn't even pull permits. My friend ended up having to redo the whole thing when it came time to sell. Oh, wow, that's rough.

So what should people be asking before they sign a contract? Three key questions. Are you licensed and insured in California? How much experience do you have with older San Diego homes? And will you handle permits, inspections, and coordination with SDG&E? You also want to check references in their reputation. look for online reviews, better business bureau ratings, that sort of thing. And I've heard some people consider doing this themselves.

Is that even possible? Or is it more of a famous last words situation? Ha, yeah, it's definitely famous last words territory. A short answer, no. Electrical panel work involves high voltage power. A single mistake can cause fatal shocks, arc flashes, or fires. Plus, in San Diego, all panel upgrades require permits and must be done by licensed contractors, DIY installations violate building codes, can void your insurance, and may result in fines.

Unpermitted work gets flagged in home inspections, which can hurt resale value. Right. So let's talk timeline. How long does this whole process take? A standard 200-amp panel upgrade usually takes 6 to 10 hours for the physical installation, often done in one day. But the entire process, including permits and inspections, typically spans two to four months. Complex jobs with underground service or extensive rewiring might take two to three days for the actual work.

I had a neighbor who mentioned their power was out most of the day during the upgrade. Yeah, power is typically off only during the panel swap itself, so that six to ten hour window for standard upgrades. Electricians work efficiently to minimize disruption. but you should definitely plan for being without power that day. Now, beyond just safety and meeting code, are there other benefits to upgrading? Have you ever thought about how an upgraded panel might affect your home's future? Absolutely. Modern panels support today's electrical demands.

We're talking 200 amps or higher. They improve energy efficiency, prepare your home for future additions like EV chargers or solar panels, and they can actually increase your home's resale value. A code compliant panel reassures buyers during inspections and meets insurance requirements, which is huge. So, to everyone listening, have you checked the age of your electrical panel lately? It might be time to get it inspected. This is one of those upgrades that protects your family, your property, and your investment all at once. Couldn't agree more.

An upgrade like this really future-proofs your home. Thanks so much for breaking all this down today. really helpful information for anyone dealing with an older home in San Diego. My pleasure. Thanks for having you.