Panel Replacement
Electrical Panel Replacement
Safe, Code-Compliant Electrical Panel Replacement in Tacoma & Western Washington
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's electrical system. If yours is over 25 years old, has Federal Pacific or Zinsco breakers, trips frequently, or lacks room for new circuits, a replacement isn't optional — it's a safety issue. Short Stop Electrical LLC handles complete panel replacements for homes across Tacoma, Pierce County, and Western Washington.
We remove your old panel, install a new code-compliant load center sized for your home's needs (typically 200 amp), re-terminate all existing circuits, and add new breaker spaces for future loads like EV chargers, hot tubs, or home additions. We pull the permit and coordinate with your utility for any required service work.
Our woman-owned, master-electrician-backed team works cleanly, professionally, and with respect for your home. Power is restored the same day in most cases.
What's included
- Removal of existing panel and disposal
- New 200A (or larger) load center installation
- Proper re-termination of all existing circuits
- Double-tap and code violation correction
- Arc-fault (AFCI) and ground-fault (GFCI) breaker upgrades where required
- Main grounding system inspection and update
- Permit pull and inspection coordination
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a panel replacement vs. a repair?
Signs you need a full replacement: breakers that won't stay reset, a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, burn marks or burning smells near the panel, a fuse box (not breakers), or a panel with no room for new circuits. If it's just one bad breaker, that can often be replaced without a full panel swap — we'll tell you honestly which situation you're in.
How long does panel replacement take?
Most residential panel replacements take 4–8 hours for a single electrician. We schedule your utility disconnect in advance so power is off only during the work. Power is restored the same day in nearly all cases.
Is Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) dangerous?
Yes — Federal Pacific breakers have a documented history of failing to trip on overloads, which is a fire risk. Many insurers refuse to cover homes with FPE panels. We highly recommend replacing them. We handle FPE replacements regularly throughout Western Washington.
Will my homeowner's insurance go up after a panel replacement?
Usually it goes down or stays the same. Replacing an old or unsafe panel often qualifies you for lower insurance rates. Some insurers require an upgrade before they'll renew your policy at all — especially for Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels.
Where we offer Electrical Panel Replacement
Ready to get started?
Serving Tacoma, Pierce County, and all of Western Washington. Free in-home estimates on every job.