Electrical Panel Upgrades in Massachusetts & New Hampshire
Licensed Master Electricians. Upfront pricing, no surprise bills. Permit filing and utility coordination included. Serving MA & NH homeowners since 1979.
Signs Your Electrical Panel Needs to Be Replaced or Upgraded
Most Massachusetts and New Hampshire homes built before 1990 are running on electrical systems that weren't designed for today's demand — EV chargers, heat pumps, home offices, and smart appliances all draw significantly more power than homes needed 40 years ago.
Burning Smell or Warm Panel
Heat or a burning smell from your electrical panel is an active fire hazard. Call us immediately — do not wait on this one.
Breakers Keep Tripping
Frequent trips mean your panel can't handle your home's electrical load. Common in older MA & NH homes where the service hasn't been upgraded in decades.
Lights Dim When Appliances Run
If your lights flicker when the AC, dryer, or microwave kicks on, your electrical service is undersized for modern demand.
Adding an EV Charger or Generator
Level 2 EV chargers require a dedicated 40–60 amp circuit. Most homes built before 1990 need a service upgrade before installation is safe.
Planning a Renovation or Addition
New living space means new circuits. Panels from the 1970s and 80s rarely have capacity to support a finished basement, new kitchen, or home addition.
Insurance Requiring an Upgrade
Many Massachusetts insurance providers now require replacement of Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Pushmatic panels before renewing a homeowner's policy.
Dangerous Electrical Panels Still Found in MA & NH Homes
Three recalled panel brands are extremely common in older Massachusetts and New Hampshire homes — and all three are known fire hazards. If your home was built between 1950 and 1990, there's a real chance you have one of these installed.
⚠️ Federal Pacific (FPE) Stab-Lok
The most common recalled panel in MA & NH. Known to fail to trip during overloads, creating serious fire risk. Found in millions of homes built between the 1950s and 1980s. Most insurance companies require replacement.
⚠️ Zinsco / GTE-Sylvania
Breakers in these panels can fuse to the bus bar, meaning they cannot trip even during a dangerous overload. Common in homes built in the 1970s. A significant fire hazard and uninsurable in many cases.
⚠️ Pushmatic / ITE
These panels use push-button breakers that wear out over time and frequently fail to trip. Parts are no longer manufactured, making repairs impossible. Common in mid-century Massachusetts and New Hampshire homes.
Not sure what panel you have? Call us at (978) 957-3422 — we'll identify it during your free in-home estimate and tell you exactly what you're dealing with.
Electrical Panel Upgrade Costs in Massachusetts & New Hampshire
We publish our pricing because we believe homeowners deserve to know what they're getting into before they call. Every home is different — these are the realistic ranges based on the jobs we complete across MA and NH.
Service Upgrades
Replaces both exterior meter base and interior panel. Required when upgrading electrical service capacity.
Panel Replacements
Replaces the interior breaker panel only. No meter or exterior work. Common when the panel is outdated but service capacity is sufficient.
* Every home is different. Prices vary based on your current setup, amperage, whether service entrance work is needed, and permit fees by municipality. Call us at (978) 957-3422 for a free in-home estimate — we give you an exact price before any work begins. No hourly overages, no surprise bills.
What to Expect: Our Panel Upgrade Process
We walk every homeowner through this process clearly before we start. No surprises, no confusion.
Free In-Home Estimate
We visit your home, assess your current panel, load requirements, and service entrance. You get a firm upfront price — no obligation, no hourly rates.
Permit Filing
We handle all permitting with your town's building department. Every panel upgrade in Massachusetts and New Hampshire requires a permit — we take care of all of it.
Utility Coordination
We coordinate directly with your utility (Eversource, National Grid, or Liberty) to schedule the service disconnect. Most utility delays run 1–2 weeks — we manage the timeline so you don't have to.
Installation Day
Our licensed Master Electricians complete the panel replacement — typically in a single day. You'll be without power for a few hours while we work. No subcontractors, ever.
Town Inspection
We schedule and pass the local building inspection so your upgrade is fully code-compliant and documented. This protects you when you sell the home.
Final Walkthrough
We walk you through the new panel, label every circuit clearly, and answer any questions before we leave. You'll know exactly what was done and why.
Panel & Service Upgrade Types We Perform
From a basic panel swap to a full 400-amp service upgrade, our licensed Master Electricians handle the full range of residential panel work across MA and NH.
200-Amp Service Upgrade
The most common upgrade. Replaces undersized 100-amp service with a modern 200-amp panel — handles EV chargers, heat pumps, and modern appliances.
400-Amp Service Upgrade
For larger homes with high electrical demand. Required for multiple EV chargers, solar + battery systems, or large additions.
Federal Pacific & Zinsco Replacement
Safe removal and replacement of recalled fire-hazard panels. We handle the permit, utility coordination, and inspection.
Subpanel Installation
Add a subpanel for a detached garage, workshop, in-law suite, or home addition. Gets power exactly where you need it.
Fuse Box Replacement
Replace outdated fuse panels with a modern circuit breaker panel. Required by most insurers and a significant safety upgrade.
Panel Relocation
Moving a panel for a renovation or to meet code requirements. We handle the full scope including permit and inspection.
Upgrading your panel is often the right time to also install a standby generator → or EV charger →
Panel Upgrades Across Massachusetts & New Hampshire
Sylvester Electric is based in Dracut, MA — giving us fast response times across northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. We serve homeowners across the region with no travel fees.
Don't see your town? Call us at (978) 957-3422 — we serve a wide area and can let you know if we cover your location.
What MA & NH Homeowners Say About Sylvester Electric
Over 900 Google reviews. Here's what our customers say about their panel upgrade experience.
"No hidden fees, which was refreshing. They gave me a price for the panel upgrade and stuck to it. Clean work, no mess left behind. Highly recommend."
"Answered emergency call quickly and had us back online within a few hours. Good people! I would trust again!"
"The dispatcher was so calm when I called about a burning smell from my panel. The electrician potentially saved my house from a fire. You can tell they genuinely care."
"The expertise and care applied to both fixing and installing new electrical wiring has been first rate. We have been impressed by the efficiency and ease of contact with the team."
Electrical Panel Upgrade FAQ
Common questions from Massachusetts and New Hampshire homeowners.
Get Your Free Panel Upgrade Estimate
A real person will answer your call. We'll assess your panel, give you a firm price, and answer every question before any work begins.
Current wait time: under 2 minutes · Licensed & Insured · Google Guaranteed
What Our Customers are Saying
Technician arrived on time, he repaired the problem quickly and efficiently and I was happy with the cost ...not overcharged. I have already recommended the company to my friends and relatives.
★★★★★
Judy D.
They installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and two light fixtures. They were easy to work with and very professional.The technician was personable and knowledgeable.
★★★★★
Elena C.
The expertise and care applied to both fixing and installing new electrical wiring has been first rate. We have been impressed by the efficiency and ease of contact with the team. We recommend Sylvester for anyone looking for top tier and reliable electrical work at a fair price.
★★★★★
Anna K.