Electrical Panel Upgrade in Lynn, MA
Replace an outdated fuse box or overloaded breaker panel and give your home the capacity it needs for modern appliances.
The electrical panel is the heart of the house: every circuit starts there. In many older Lynn homes, that panel is a small one that was sized for far fewer loads than the house carries today.
A panel upgrade replaces the box, the breakers, and often the meter connection and grounding, so the whole system can handle more load and give better protection against overloads and faults.
It is also the moment to fix issues that have piled up over the years: doubled-up breakers, mislabeled circuits and additions wired by whoever was around at the time.
Reasons to upgrade your electrical panel
- A fuse box, or a panel with no room for new breakers
- Breakers that feel hot, trip often or show scorch marks
- A house with an electric range, dryer or heat pump sharing a small service
- Plans to add a finished basement, an EV charger or a bathroom or kitchen remodel
- Circuits with several outlets or lights that go out together
- Lights that dim when large appliances turn on
How a panel upgrade is done
- Load check. We look at the current panel, service size and what the house needs now and in the near future.
- Plan and permit. The new panel size and circuit layout are planned and the permit is arranged for the work.
- Power off and swap. Power is shut off, the old panel is removed, and the new panel is mounted, wired and grounded.
- Label and test. Every circuit is labeled, tested, and checked for correct breaker size and protection.
- Inspection and reconnection. The inspector reviews the work, and power is restored once it is approved.
What determines the price of a panel upgrade
The price depends much more on the condition of what is around the panel than on the panel itself:
- The service size you choose, such as staying at 100 amps or moving to 200
- Whether the meter base, service mast or grounding also need replacing
- The number of circuits and any that need splicing or rerouting to reach the new panel
- AFCI, GFCI and specialty breakers added for current safety standards
- How far the panel sits from the meter and the wall access around it
- Permit and inspection fees set by the city
Why Kenia Construction for panel work
A panel upgrade often comes with other work: adding circuits for a new kitchen, finishing a basement, or moving a laundry line. Because we handle the framing and finish work too, the wall patching is not your problem.
We label every circuit clearly and walk you through the panel before we leave, so you know what each breaker controls.
Panel upgrades across the North Shore
We upgrade panels in Lynn and the towns around it, including Lynn, MA and Peabody, MA.
Electrical Panel Upgrades FAQs
How do I know if my panel is a problem?
Warning signs include a fuse box or breakers that are hot or discolored, breakers that trip constantly, buzzing sounds from the panel, and not having enough open slots for new circuits. Panels from certain manufacturers are also known for breakers that fail to trip when they should, and that is worth a professional look.
Why upgrade from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service?
Older homes were designed when a fridge, a stove and a few lights were the main loads. Today an electric range, a heat pump, an EV charger or a finished basement can each add a lot of demand. A larger service gives you room to add those without overloading the house.
Will you need to shut off power to the whole house?
Yes, for part of the job. A panel swap means disconnecting the service, so the power will be off for a stretch of the day. We tell you how long to expect ahead of time so you can plan around refrigerators, sump pumps and work-from-home equipment.
Is a permit required for a panel upgrade in Massachusetts?
Yes. Panel and service changes are permitted work and are inspected by the local wiring inspector before the utility reconnects. We go over how that process works with you when we quote the job.
Do I need AFCI or GFCI breakers in the new panel?
Current code requires arc-fault and ground-fault protection in many areas of the home, and a new panel is the natural time to bring circuits up to that standard. Which circuits need what depends on the rooms and the version of the code that applies, so we work it out room by room.
Related services
Time to look at your panel?
Call or send us a message and we will set up a visit to look at your panel and talk through your options.