Electrical Service Changes & Panel Upgrades

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What is a service change?

An electrical service change (sometimes called a service upgrade) replaces your home's main electrical panel, meter base, and the wiring that connects them. Most older Boise homes were built with 100-amp service — enough for the era, but not enough for today's air conditioners, EV chargers, hot tubs, and modern kitchens. A service change typically brings your home to 200 amps, doubling your available capacity.

It's not just about more power. It's about bringing your electrical system up to current National Electrical Code standards, replacing aging equipment, and making sure your home is safe and ready for whatever you want to add next.

Signs your home may need a service upgrade

• Breakers trip frequently — Especially when running multiple appliances. Your system is telling you it's overloaded.
• You're adding major loads — EV charger, hot tub, shop equipment, or an addition. Your current panel may not have the capacity.
• Your panel is full — No open breaker spaces means no room for new circuits without an upgrade.
• Outdated or recalled panels — Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and some Challenger panels have known safety issues and should be replaced.
• Fuse box — If your home still runs on fuses, it's time. Fuse boxes haven't been installed in new construction for decades.
• Insurance or sale requirements — Some insurers and home buyers require a modern panel before they'll close.

What the process looks like

A service change touches several components, and we coordinate with Idaho Power to make the transition as smooth as possible:

• Assessment — We inspect your current panel, meter base, service entrance cable, and grounding. We'll give you an honest evaluation of what needs replacing and what's still in good shape.
• Permit — We pull the electrical permit through the city or county. This is required and ensures the work will be inspected.
• New panel installation — We install a new 200-amp (or appropriate size) main breaker panel with plenty of spaces for future circuits.
• Meter base & service entrance — If your meter base or service entrance cable is undersized or deteriorated, we replace those as well.
• Idaho Power coordination — Idaho Power disconnects and reconnects your service at the meter. We handle the scheduling and coordination.
• Inspection — Once installed, the work is inspected by the local authority to confirm everything meets code.
• Labeling & walkthrough — We label every breaker clearly and walk you through your new panel so you know exactly what's what.

Federal Pacific & Zinsco panels

If you have a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) "Stab-Lok" panel or a Zinsco panel, replacement is strongly recommended — and in many cases it's required by your insurance carrier. These panels have a documented history of breakers failing to trip during overcurrent conditions, which creates a serious fire risk. Sam has replaced many of these panels across the Treasure Valley and can walk you through exactly what's involved.

How long does it take?

Most residential service changes are completed in a single day. Your power will be off for a portion of that time while Idaho Power disconnects and reconnects the meter. We plan the work to minimize downtime and keep you informed every step of the way.

Boise homes and local context

Many homes in the North End, Bench, and older Boise neighborhoods were built in the 1950s–1980s with 100-amp service. Some have been partially updated over the years with sub-panels or tandem breakers that are at their limit. Whether you're modernizing a mid-century home in the North End or adding an EV charger to a newer Eagle home, Sam has the experience to assess your system and do the upgrade right — the same way his father-in-law taught him, with careful attention to every connection.