Skip to main content
Black Lotus HVAC + Electrical (206) 200-9134
Electrical · Electrical panel upgrades in Seattle

Electrical panel upgrades in Seattle.

A 200-amp electrical panel upgrade in Seattle typically costs $2,800 to $4,500, including the new panel, breakers, meter base if needed, the permit, and Seattle City Light or PSE coordination. Most upgrades complete in a single day with power back the same day. We're an HVAC and Electrical company, so if you're also planning a heat pump or EV charger install, panel work bundles into one project, one permit, one crew.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Get a free quote
// 200A SQ-D HOMELINE BELLEVUE INSTALL · 1-DAY SWAP
Typical cost $2,800 – $4,500
Install time 1 day · power back same day
Permit + inspection Included
Common bundle Heat pump · EV · induction
Warranty 2 yr labor + mfg
What drives the price

Service entrance, panel + meter, bonding, utility coordination.

  1. 01

    Service entrance

    Overhead or underground feed. Underground takes more labor and SCL coordination.

  2. 02

    Panel + meter combo

    Square D Homeline or Eaton CH 200A. Most Seattle utility specs accept either.

  3. 03

    Bonding + grounding

    Updating to current code. Older homes often need a ground rod or water-main bond.

  4. 04

    SCL or PSE coordination

    We pull the permit and schedule the meter cut + reconnect on the same day.

Power back the same day. We coordinate the meter cut with the utility so you're not without service overnight.

When you need a panel upgrade

Panel upgrades unlock heat pumps, EV charging, and inductionon homes built before 1985.

Most Seattle homes built before 1985 are on original 100-amp service. That's fine for the appliance load of the 1970s — fridge, lights, gas furnace, gas range, gas dryer. It's NOT fine for a modern electrification stack: heat pump (40A), EV charger (50A), induction range (50A), heat pump water heater (30A). Add those up and you need 200A minimum.

The upgrade itself is a 1-day project. We pull the permit, coordinate Seattle City Light or PSE for the meter cut, swap the panel + meter base + main breaker, re-feed all the existing branch circuits, and schedule the city inspection for the same week.

Power is back the same day. You'll be without service for 4 to 6 hours during the active swap. We schedule the meter cut for early morning so you're back up by lunch.

Get your electrical panel upgrades quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134
Cost breakdown

Panel upgrade cost by scope.

Most Seattle panel upgrades fall in the $2,800-$4,500 range. Older homes with damaged service entrances or unusual meter placements run higher.

✓Permit + inspection included✓Power back same day✓Master electrician on every job
Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134
Configuration
Equipment + install
100A → 200A standard swap Existing meter base reusable
$2,800–$3,400
100A → 200A + new meter base Older meter base end-of-life
$3,400–$4,200
100A → 200A + service entrance Overhead service or new mast
$4,000–$5,200
200A → 400A upgrade For 2+ EVs or full electrification
$6,500–$9,500
Add-on · Bundle with heat pump install Same crew, same permit
−$400 to −$800
Add-on · EV charger circuit Pre-wire while panel is open
+$400–$700

Bundling panel work with HVAC or EV charger installs saves $400-$800 on permit + mobilization. We always quote the bundle option upfront.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a electrical panel upgrades with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus install looks like.

See the full process →
  1. 01

    Day 0Schedule.

    You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.

  2. 02

    Day 1Consult.

    On-site evaluation, Manual J load calc where applicable, panel + ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.

  3. 03

    Day 2-4Approve.

    You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.

  4. 04

    Day 5-7Install.

    Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.

  5. 05

    AfterSatisfied.

    Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

Panels we install.

Square D Homeline 200A
Standard
Main breaker 200A

Our default panel for residential upgrades. Best parts availability in Seattle, fastest service calls if you need a breaker swap years from now.

Spaces 40 circuits
Warranty 10 yrs
Utility spec SCL + PSE approved
Eaton CH 200A
Premium
Main breaker 200A

Higher-end panel with copper bus and arc-fault breakers standard. Best for homes where the panel is in a finished space (visible).

Spaces 42 circuits
Bus Copper
Warranty 10 yrs
Square D QO 400A
Whole-home electrification
Service 400A

Dual 200A panels fed from a 400A service entrance. Required for 2+ EVs, induction range + heat pump + electric dryer + heat pump water heater all on one home.

Spaces 80 circuits
Utility coord Required
Lead time 2-3 wks
Why homeowners pick us

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. Oversized equipment is the most common failure mode we see on competitor installs.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

"

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Common scenarios

Common panel upgrade scenarios.

Heat pump install on a pre-1985 home.

Most common reason for the upgrade. We bundle the panel + heat pump on one permit, one crew, one week.

See heat pump install →

New EV in a 100A panel home.

EV charger needs 40-50A. On a 100A panel, you're already over capacity. Panel upgrade unlocks it AND positions you for the heat pump down the road.

See EV charger install →

Full electrification project.

Heat pump + EV + induction + HPWH all at once. We design the full project on one permit and stage the work to minimize disruption.

Common questions before you call

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

How long does a panel upgrade take?

+
Most upgrades complete in 1 day. Power is out 4 to 6 hours during the active swap. We schedule the meter cut for early morning so you're back up by lunch.
02 /

Do you pull the electrical permit?

+
Yes. We pull, schedule the rough-in + final inspection, and pass on the first round. That cost is in the quote.
03 /

Will my insurance go up?

+
No — opposite. Most carriers offer a 3 to 5% discount for newer electrical service. We document the upgrade for your insurance file.
04 /

Can I do a 400A upgrade for future EVs?

+
Yes — increasingly common for homeowners planning 2+ EVs or full electrification. 400A adds $3,000-$5,000 over 200A but avoids a second upgrade later.
05 /

Do I need to be home during the upgrade?

+
Yes for the start (to confirm the work and sign the permit). After that you can come and go. We need someone on site for the final inspection.
06 /

Is a panel upgrade required for a heat pump?

+
Only if your existing panel is 100A or already at capacity. Most 200A panels accept a heat pump circuit directly. We run the load calc on every consult.
Helpful next steps

Pages homeowners read after this one.

Electrical Knob and Tube and Aluminum Wiring Replacement in Seattle

Knob-and-tube wiring replacement in Seattle from $8,000. Required by most insurance carriers. We document everything your insurer needs and

→
Electrical Backup Generator Installation in Seattle

Backup generator installation in Seattle from $7,500. Generac, Kohler, and Briggs whole-home units. Automatic transfer switch, permit.

→
Electrical EV Charger Installation in Seattle

Level 2 EV charger installation in Seattle from $700. Permit, inspection, dedicated 240V circuit included.

→
HVAC Heat pump installation

Most heat pump installs trigger panel or service work. We bundle both under one permit.

→
Schedule your consult

Free on-site evaluation. Written quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Same-day diagnostic for furnace, AC, or electrical service calls within our primary area. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online
Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM
Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish
Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Three Seattle-born partners. 30+ years combined HVAC experience. Master electrician on every consult. PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.

Call (206) 200-9134 · Free quote