Panel replacement when your insurer or home inspector flags the panel
Insurance companies and home inspectors in California routinely flag certain panel brands, most often Zinsco (also sold as Sylvania), Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok and some Challenger panels. Once a panel is flagged, the policy renewal or the sale usually waits on a replacement. We replace it, pull the permit, pass the inspection and hand you the paperwork the insurer or buyer needs.
Why these panels get flagged
These brands were common in homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s. Over the years, electricians and inspectors documented problems with breakers that may not trip reliably under overload and with bus connections that loosen and overheat. Not every one of these panels has failed, but insurers price the risk, and many now require replacement or decline coverage until it is done.
What replacement includes
- A new panel from a current manufacturer, sized to a load calculation
- New breakers, including the arc fault and ground fault protection current code requires for the circuits being touched
- Grounding and bonding brought up to current requirements
- Permit, inspection and utility coordination where the service is disturbed
- A finaled permit and a short written summary of the work for your insurer
Often the right moment for an upgrade
If the panel has to come out anyway, it is worth checking whether the service should be upsized at the same time, especially if an EV charger, heat pump or ADU is on the horizon. We will tell you honestly whether that is worth doing now or can wait.
Common questions
Tell us the deadline when you call. Most panel replacements are a single day of work once the permit is issued, and we schedule around the date your insurer gave you. We also provide the documentation they typically ask for once the permit is finaled.
The brand name is usually printed on the panel door or on a label inside. Zinsco breakers are often multicolored, and Federal Pacific panels usually say Stab-Lok. If you are not sure, send us a photo of the open panel door and the label and we will tell you what you have.
Replacing a panel can bring the circuits it serves under current code for things like arc fault protection and grounding. We identify those items on the site walk and include them in the estimate so there are no surprises at inspection.
Insurance required panel replacement near you
Tell us what is going on. We will tell you what it takes.
No call center, no upsell script. We read every request that comes in and get back to you the same business day.
- (323) 945-3608Call or text. Emergencies answered any time
- morff.electric@gmail.comSend plans, photos or a scope
- 10316 Sepulveda Blvd #441, Mission Hills, CA 91345Get directions on Google Maps