Do You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade? Northern Colorado Homeowners, Read This First

Do You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade? Northern Colorado Homeowners, Read This First

If you're a homeowner in Northern Colorado and your home is more than 20 years old, there’s a good chance your electrical panel is outdated. And if you're planning a remodel, finishing your basement, or installing something like an EV charger or new HVAC system, your current panel might not be able to safely support the added demand.

At Choice City Home Services, we specialize in electrical panel upgrades and replacements for homes across Fort Collins, Berthoud, Loveland, Windsor, Johnstown, and surrounding areas. Our licensed electricians are ready to help you determine if your panel is up to code, safe, and capable of supporting your current and future needs.

So how do you know if your electrical panel needs to be replaced? And what does the upgrade process involve? Let’s take a look.

What Is an Electrical Panel — and Why Does It Matter?

Your electrical panel (also called a breaker box or load center) is the heart of your home's electrical system. It's where power from the utility company enters your home and is distributed to circuits that serve your lights, outlets, appliances, HVAC systems, and more.

An outdated or overloaded panel can lead to serious issues, including:

  • Constantly tripping breakers
  • Flickering lights
  • Overheating wires
  • Inability to add new circuits
  • Fire hazards due to outdated components

In other words, your panel may be hidden in the garage or basement — but it’s one of the most important parts of your home’s safety and function.

Signs You Might Need a Panel Upgrade

If you’re experiencing any of the following issues in your Northern Colorado home, it’s time to call Choice City Home Services for an electrical assessment:

⚡ Your Home Still Has a 100-Amp Panel

Modern homes require at least 150 to 200 amps to handle today’s appliances, technology, and systems. If your panel is rated at 100 amps or lower, it may not be sufficient for your needs.

🧯 You’re Experiencing Breaker Trips or Overloaded Circuits

Frequent breaker trips or outlets that lose power when you use appliances can indicate overloaded circuits.

🏠 You’re Remodeling or Finishing a Basement

Adding a new HVAC zone, kitchenette, bathroom, or even just more lighting can require additional circuits — and your current panel may not have space or capacity.

🔌 You Want to Install an EV Charger or Hot Tub

High-draw devices like electric vehicle chargers, hot tubs, or mini splits often require dedicated circuits and significant panel capacity.

🚫 You Have a Zinsco or Federal Pacific Panel

These brands are known for safety failures and should be replaced immediately. If you’re not sure what type of panel you have, we can take a look.

What’s Involved in a Panel Upgrade?

Upgrading your electrical panel is a multi-step process that requires permitting, licensed professionals, and coordination with your local utility. At Choice City Home Services, we handle the process from start to finish:

  1. Assessment – We evaluate your current panel, future power needs, and identify safety concerns.
  2. Permitting – We obtain all necessary permits and schedule inspections.
  3. Utility Coordination – We coordinate with your power provider (Xcel, PVREA, etc.) for temporary shutoffs if needed.
  4. Installation – We remove the old panel, upgrade service wiring if necessary, and install a new panel that meets your capacity needs.
  5. Testing & Inspection – We test the entire system for safety and code compliance, then schedule your final inspection.

Most panel upgrades are completed in a single day, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

How Much Does a Panel Upgrade Cost?

For most Northern Colorado homes, a standard electrical panel upgrade to 200 amps ranges from $2,500 to $4,500, depending on:

  • Size and location of your existing panel
  • Whether a service upgrade is required (from the utility)
  • The number of circuits needed
  • Type of home (crawlspace, finished basement, etc.)

We’ll provide a clear, itemized estimate during your consultation—no surprises, no guesswork.

Why Northern Colorado Homeowners Trust Choice City

We’re not just electricians—we’re a full-service, licensed general contractor with an in-house electrical team led by a master and journeyman electrician. When you choose Choice City Home Services, you get:

  • ✅ Licensed, insured professionals who understand local codes
  • ✅ Seamless scheduling and communication through Buildertrend
  • ✅ Respectful, clean job sites
  • ✅ Transparent pricing and project timelines
  • ✅ Experience with all major utility providers in Northern Colorado

Whether you're upgrading a panel in an older Fort Collins home or prepping your Windsor property for an EV charger, our team is ready to help.

Let’s Upgrade Your Panel the Right Way

If you’re unsure whether your panel needs to be upgraded—or you’ve already run out of circuit space—don’t wait until something fails. A professional assessment can protect your home, ensure code compliance, and prepare your electrical system for whatever’s next.

📞 Call Choice City Home Services today at 970-308-3638 or visit choicecityhs.com to schedule a free estimate or consultation.

Let’s power your home safely, reliably, and with the professionalism you deserve.

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