If your home still has the original 100A or 150A service from when it was built, you are running a modern household on a panel that was sized for a different decade. Sterling Electric upgrades residential service panels across Buncombe County to 200A or 400A, with the permit pulled, the work inspected, and the panel labeled before we leave.
Most panel upgrades come from one of two situations. The panel is old and tired, or you are adding a load it was never sized for. If any of these are true at your house, schedule an inspection before you schedule the upgrade.
A standard 200A residential panel upgrade is a one day job for our crew. Here is what that day looks like.
We arrive at the agreed time, usually around 8am. The first hour is coordination with Duke Energy to get the meter pulled, which gives us a safe disconnect point. Once power is off, the crew removes the old panel, mounts the new one, and runs the new service conductors.
Most of the day is the actual work. Bonding, grounding, terminating circuits, labeling each one as we go. We test every breaker before reenergizing. The inspector usually comes out the same day or the next morning depending on the jurisdiction.
Once the inspector signs off, we have Duke Energy reset the meter, we walk the panel with you so you understand the new layout, and we leave a printed label on every breaker. You get the permit card, the inspection card, and the warranty in writing.
A standard 200A residential service upgrade in Buncombe County typically runs $2,400 to $3,200 fully installed, including the permit, the inspection, the new panel, the new service conductors, and disposal of the old panel. A 400A upgrade or any job that requires trenching, mast work, or panel relocation will cost more. Every quote is itemized so you can see exactly what is in the price.
Most upgrades are a one day job. Power is off from when Duke pulls the meter (usually 8am) until the inspector signs off and Duke resets the meter (usually mid to late afternoon). Plan on 6 to 8 hours without power. We can coordinate the timing if you have specific needs.
Yes. Any service entrance work requires a permit and an inspection in Buncombe County and the City of Asheville. We pull the permit and coordinate the inspection on every job. The permit fee is included in the quoted price. If a contractor offers to skip the permit to save you money, find a different contractor.
Insurance generally does not cover the cost of an upgrade. However, having a modern, permitted, inspected panel can lower your premium and is required by some insurers if you currently have a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel. We can provide the documentation your insurance company needs.
Square D QO and Homeline are our standards because parts are widely available, the breakers are reliable, and the lugs are easy to torque correctly. We also stock Eaton CH for customers who prefer them or for matching an existing subpanel. We do not install economy brands.
Yes, in writing, on every quote we send. If anything we installed fails in the first 24 months because of how we installed it, we come back and fix it free. The breaker manufacturer warranty (typically 10 years on Square D QO) is separate and covers the equipment itself.
Send a photo of your current panel (closed cover is fine) and we will get you a written quote inside 48 hours. No pressure, no upsell, no ballpark over the phone.