Milwaukee Electrical Service Panel Upgrade

Upgrading your electrical service may be an essential task if you live in an older home or would like to meet the electrical demands of adding new appliances to ensure home safety and electrical stability. The problem with having an older service panel is that the standards of older equipment are obsolete for handling the payload and demands of new homeowners in this day in age. This is because the typical modern family uses more electrical appliances and devices than a family — let’s say — 20 to 30 years ago. This is why it is important to upgrade your panel for safety reasons, so you and your family no longer have to worry about power outages because of the many devices used or plugged in simultaneously.

What is a Breaker Panel and How does it work?

An electrical service panel is a central unit that connects the external wires from your service provider (through the meter box) to the wiring inside your home which allows you to receive power. This panel, in conjunction with the breaker box inside, is accountable for monitoring and regulating the electrical current that flows through your residential home. In many cases, heavy-duty equipment or extra appliances will cause the circuit breaker to “trip” to prevent high spikes in the current from damaging your home’s internal wiring. With the absence of a functioning tripping mechanism, this spike in the flow of electricity can cause damage, and it can create a fire in some cases.

This phenomenon is probably familiar to you. Ever recall when your power goes out and you have to flip a switch to restore your electricity? That’s where your circuit breaker is located, and your panel is what houses the wiring and equipment.

When Should I Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

Your Home Still Uses a Fuse Box

Many homes built before the 1960’s are powered by electrical panels that are equipped with fuses. Boxes with fuses can only handle 30-60 amps which isn’t enough for newer households which require 200 amps. In addition, if your home has this type of panel, you may want to consider upgrading to a circuit breaker. You’d no longer have to deal with the hassle of constantly replacing burned out fuses whenever your circuit has a power consumption overload.

You Live in a Home that is More than 20 Years Old

Older homes may have trouble handling modern-day electronics and appliances. This is because homes that were built 20-30 years ago and older are usually equipped with service panels that max out at 60-100 amps. This was fine in the past, but homes usually require updated panels to handle the higher payloads of modern-day electronics. This typically requires 200 amps to safely handle common household needs.

Your Electrical Panel has a Strange Smell

If you notice a strange or burning smell around your breaker box, this would mean that you have old or faulty wiring. This could also indicate that the previous installer did not connect your equipment correctly. In this situation, it is best for you to contact a licensed electrician to help you identify the cause of the smell, as your home can be at risk of a fire.

You Constantly Experience Flickering Lights

Flickering lights can be a clear indication that your panel may have faulty or loose wiring.

You are Installing New Appliances

If you’re upgrading your appliances or adding new additions to your home, then you may require more power. An upgrade might be your best option because new renovations need more amps.

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Cost of Updating an Electrical Panel

What is the Cost to Upgrade Panel to 200 amps?

Upgrading your panel can range between $2,500 at the low end to $3,300 on the high end for a typical service upgrade. Now, this amount can even go higher if the conditions are not ideal. Conditions that can cause costs to be higher than the average rate of $2,500 include:

Your existing electrical panel is within a wall with studs surrounding it on all sides: usually, the new electrical box is larger than the old one, so cutting of the wall studs and surface drywall or paneling is typically necessary.
If there are plumbing or heating pipes within the dedicated space of your existing electrical panel: the space directly above and below the electrical panel should be dedicated to only electrical items. If there are other items within this space, the new panel may need to be relocated to provide a space that meets its requirements. Also, all electrical panels need to have a dedicated working space of 30” wide by 36” deep measured from the panel cover. If there is an item within this space such as an appliance, sump crock, or sewer pipe, the new panel will need to be relocated. Relocating any panel takes more material and time.
If there are other sub-panels or “sidecar” disconnects for the Air Conditioner or Electric Dryers: combining these circuits can cause additional costs, but the additional costs are typically low.
The distance between your home’s main water pipe and the electrical panel can influence the cost: a new copper grounding wire is required to be connected to the new electrical panel and within five feet of the main water pipe. Copper wire is not cheap, so the distance will affect the cost of material and labor.
The overall working conditions: for example, if the basement is completely full from floor to ceiling, this can have an impact on the costs. During a service update, it may be necessary to have access to many existing electrical boxes scattered throughout the basement. The easier the movement and access, the quicker the job is done.

What is the Cost of Upgrading a Fuse Box to a Circuit Breaker Box?

It is uncommon to only update an electrical panel and not the entire service; however, this cost can range from $1,500 – $2,000 depending on the conditions. In many cases, the service on the outside of the home is only rated at 60 amps. If this is the case, connecting a new 100 amp main breaker panel to it will not provide you with 100 amps of available power. Not having a 100 amp rated electrical service may void your home’s insurance as well. Typically, when a new electrical panel is needed, it is also necessary to update the outside meter socket and the metal conduit and wires on the outside of the home.

How Much Does it Cost to Move an Electrical Panel?

Moving an electrical panel is typically uncommon, but it is sometimes required depending on the layout of your home. The cost of this kind of work ranges from $1000 – $2,000. Common reasons for moving a panel:

You are building a room (such as a bathroom or closet) in the same area as the existing electrical panel: Since the electrical code does not allow for an electrical panel to be located within a bathroom or a closet, no matter the size, this could be a reason for relocating the electrical panel.
The utility provider has made changes to how and or where the power to your home or building is connected.
Installation of a pool and the overhead power lines are directly over the pool: this is not only potentially unsafe but is a violation.
The existing electrical panel is in code violation and moving the panel is simply the easiest way to solve the problem.
An addition to your home or building, in the same area of your electrical meter, can be the cause for a new service location.

*Please note that the pricing guidelines listed are for single-family residential dwellings only. A duplex or multi-family unit will require us to come out to provide a quote, as there may be additional costs.*

For High-Quality Services, Call Integrated Building Systems Today

Why do customers choose us for service panel installations?

Our licensed electricians work hard to make sure that you receive quality service. We guarantee high-quality professionalism to ensure that our customers are satisfied with the outcome of our work.
In addition to our friendly presence and strong work ethic, we don’t just get the job done, we do it right! This includes things like:
Proper installation of the unit: we pay close attention to detail and make sure that the service panel is installed properly and is flush with the mounting area to ensure optimal balance to reduce any safety hazards.
We get the job done in an efficient and timely manner: our professionals are effective at what they do. In order to achieve this, we perform proper preparation before and at the work site. We are as organized and clean as possible with all of our projects while completing the task at hand within its projected timeline. After the project is complete, we make sure not to leave any mess behind and conduct all safety measures when our work is completed.

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Google Rating

4.9

Based on 71 reviews

Integrated Building Systems LLC

4.9

Phil Luna

16:46 26 Oct 21

The employee was polite and explained what was being done so there was no confusion on my part. Excellent job and great representative of the company.

Justin R

14:32 06 Oct 21

I had a very complicated Heated Driveway project that required a significant amount of alterations to our home and property. Darren and his team was the only contractor with prior experience and they knew exactly what was required. They were on time, professional, and very good at what they did. I would not have trusted such a complex and difficult project with anyone else.

dale mrotek

20:42 17 Sep 21

They were on time, cleaned up after themselves and explained what they did. Very professional.

Joe Callin

22:54 21 Jul 21

We had a NEMA 14-50 installed our garage for EV charging. When Darren came out to do a quote he was very receptive and had a conversation about the concerns I had in regards to the panel being on the opposite side of the house in a newly finished basement. He came up with what I thought were reasonable solutions and he was able to walkthrough what the exact process would look like step by step. So when the price was a third to half the price of other quotes and they were able to do it the next week, it was an easy choice. Everyone one that was involved in the process was very helpful. Very happy with the work.

Debra Wanger

23:47 08 Jul 21

I called IBS after reading about them on the internet as it was one of the businesses suggested that deal with generators. I spoke with Darren who informed me that he installs and performs maintenance on them, but is not authorized to repair one that's not working, which is how described mine. But that didn't stop him from asking me a lot of questions and trying to help me problem solve the possible cause. He then had me FaceTime him while at the generator and then the electrical box, and patiently talked me through getting it to operate again. He spent a good 1/2 hour with me and there was no charge!I am very grateful to Darren as this unit is at the home of 2 people with disabilities, and where several power outages have recently occurred without the generator kicking in. He showed a level of interest and concern I wouldn't have expected for a first time caller.I will absolutely call Darren again for any future electrician needs.Thanks again Darren!

Garrett Pynckel

12:53 24 Jun 21

I have had a lot of work done for the install of my hot tub the past couple months (landscaping, concrete, the hot tub itself, ect.) and everything that could go wrong did. Except for the electrical work. Adam and Intregated Building Systems were really breath of fresh air and I felt they went out of their way for me.

13BANG ARMY

17:51 12 Mar 21

Adam was our technician for the install of our duct work coming from a bathroom vent fan. He was professional and did an outstanding job. I would definitely recommend this company.

Ben Wagnitz

15:59 10 Feb 21

Adam does a fantastic job at a fair price. Great work, highly recommend 10/10

Sarah Sylla

10:26 09 Feb 21

Called this company as I needed a new outlet installed for my recently installed dishwasher. He scheduled me for just a couple of days later. Adam (I think thats his name) was the one who came to my house for the project. I don't have a single negative thing to say about the entire experience. He was very friendly, efficient and did a great job in such a short amount of time. He was fun to talk to, very personable and answered my million questions about different electrical and other house projects while giving advice and what the company would be able to do for the various projects. Price was great. I will definitely be using them again in the future!

Danny Schlei

18:00 02 Feb 21

Great company. Very professional and highly recommend. Thanks, IBS team. Danny S Wauwatosa WI

Dave Sorensen

21:13 08 Dec 20

These guys are awesome!! I spoke with Derek, to get a quote on installing a Ring doorbell. He was the third contractor I called for a quote, and he gave a similar figure to the previous two. But, Derek took the time to ask me a few more questions. He asked whether I had done any type of electrical work in my home before? I told him the only thing was installing a Nest thermostat. He let me know that was a much more difficult job than this, and I could do it on my own. He assured me that none of the wires I would use would pose any electrical threat to me. Basically, he kindly volunteered advice that saved me $200. During this tough year, when many people seem to have lowered their standard of behavior, Derek steps up to help a total stranger. I will be doing all my electrical business going forward with Integrated Building Systems. Thank you Derek!

Michael Weidman

20:44 13 Nov 20

We've used Integrated Building Systems for several projects in the past, including ceiling fans, small repair jobs, switches, etc. Most recently we hired them to run electric to our shed 150' behind our house. The entire process from start to finish was seamless. Darren was very kind, professional and helpful in answering all of our questions leading up to the job. And believe me, I had a lot of questions! Adam was personable, detail-oriented and efficient. He was also very pleasant to chat with and you can tell he enjoys his job. They were reasonable with pricing. We plan to hire them again in the future to replace our electrical panel, and anything else we might need. Thanks again guys!

Britani Weidman

12:48 25 Oct 20

Steve Kaye

23:59 13 Oct 20

Just a quick note to say how pleased I am with the experience today. Adam was great not only from a technical perspective in terms of finding the best solution given some challenges he faced, but he was extremely personable and didn't mind me talking his ear off about... anything.....while I hovered as he did the work.In today's day and age (especially in 2020), it's refreshing to know there are quality people out there who have not only the knowledge, expertise and a high level of professionalism - but more importantly people who have those qualities AND who hold people & customer service in the highest regard.He's a master of his craft and I absolutely plan on hiring him for some more work in the near future. Thanks again and I look forward to working with you soon!

Brittany Jackson

13:15 13 Aug 20

We've used Integrated Building Systems several times now and highly recommend them! They're professional, reasonably priced and do great work.Darin and his team have always been on time and easy to work with. They're friendly and come up with great solutions to problems. They've always made it easy for us.

Allison Feix

20:24 24 Jul 20

I highly recommend Darren and and his team at Integrated Building Systems! We've worked with Darren for the past year on a variety of projects that required some creative problem solving. Darren and his crew removed our solar array in the fall so we could have our roof replaced, and they recently reinstalled. The array had originally been installed by a different company, so Darren was tasked with the challenge of taking apart and putting back together a system that was not of his own design. He was meticulous and so detailed oriented in tackling this project. He took careful measurements and pictures in the fall and arrived this summer with a large packet of images and data, ready to make sure he got the reinstall done just right.Darren also helped us problem solve a solution for getting enough power to our detached garage so that we could install electric vehicle chargers. Given the age of our home and the location of the garage, we had been having difficulty finding a solution for years. Darren was the first electrician we met with who actually seemed energized and excited by the challenge and by our desire to add EV capabilities to our home. His team installed a second electrical panel in the garage, updated all garage wiring, installed new overhead lights, and added two EV chargers.Throughout our time working with IBS, Darren has been a prompt, thorough communicator. He has been honest, fair, personable, and extremely knowledgable in his profession. Each member of his team who worked on our projects was skilled and professional as well. I recommend IBS for any electrical work, but particularly for green power projects, like EV and solar.

Russell Hayden

11:29 24 Jun 20

I was brought to Integrated Building Services through HomeAdvisor for an electrical panel replacement and 200 amp service upgrade. Darren had a very fair quote to me within a couple days of my initial contact. I have an older "low voltage switching" setup in my house and he knew exactly how it worked and settled any doubts I had about replacing my electrical panel. His crew was on time and worked efficiently, and left my house looking better than they found it. Very happy with the work done, and highly recommend.

Brian Wirth

13:38 19 Jun 20

We loved our kitchen, living and dining room area but it had poor lighting since the day we moved in. We talked with a few contractors but Darren really set himself apart from the others with how he thought through our space and helped us come up with the perfect plan. The pricing was good. The communication throughout the process was excellent. The professionals who did the work were highly knowledgeable, efficient and personable. We are very happy with the finished product and would highly recommend this company to anyone!

Dave Olson

19:55 08 Jun 20

Darren, Adam, and Mike did a great job installing the electrical panel and charging station. Highly recommended!

Donald Long

23:44 01 Feb 20

Found Darren and his crew on home advisor, got lucky to find a great group of electricians. They came to my house within 3 days of talking to him and that includes the weekend to do a 200 amp upgrade and install a generator panel. Finished in a little over 1 day and did an excellent job I couldn’t be happier. Adam came back the next day for some trouble shooting on 1 circuit that had a broken wire in the wall and his trouble shooting skills are pretty awesome,very efficient. Made the repair and Good to go. These guys are a great group of master electricians highly recommend them for any electrical needs.

Karin Franklin

00:34 25 Jan 20

I found these guys on the internet last night and they had someone out this morning. We had some outdated/wonky outlets and switches replaced/worked on and were very pleased. Adam was knowledgeable, efficient, and friendly. We'll definitely use this company for our future electrical work needs.

Russell Craze

22:48 17 Jan 20

I hired IBS LLC for 2 projects: to correct some electrical problems at a house I was selling and at a house I was buying. I spoke with Darren on the phone to describe the work to be done and he was able to schedule an electrician for the next day to complete the work accurately and quickly. Within 2 days, I had electrical projects I had wanted finished for 5 years. I will certainly use IBS LLC again for home electrical projects.

N Dupont

22:35 15 Jan 20

Darren and his team installed a 4 KW Solar system on our SW facing garage roof using 10-LG370 solar panels with 5-Chilicon Microinverters. Working with Darren was seamless and simple process-he has a straight forward honest approach that is appreciated.The Microinverter from Chilicon Power are manufactured and designed in California-with a technically advanced high performance specifications that made startup and commissioning very simple.I would highly recommend IBS for any Solar array installation.

Robert Gibson

15:31 17 Nov 19

Integrated has been to my Shorewood home on a couple of occasions and has done terrific work on both challenging situations. Darren is quick to respond and keep in touch and Adam did wonderful work and is very personable and professional. I highly recommend these folks.

Michelle Eul

15:51 17 Oct 19

They wired my bedrooms for ceiling fans and installed the fans. Follow-up was needed to re-position the light switch, and they came to do this follow-up as well.

Abby Viglietta

18:11 12 Sep 19

Trustworthy! Have had them at the house for a number of fixes and they are always a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend Darren and his team!

Joseph Blanchard

15:03 01 Sep 19

We had an odd electrical issue come up on Labor day weekend and called IBS because of the reviews on Google. Even though it was after hours and he was busy, Darren answered and had us try a few things over the phone. When that didn't address the issue, he said he'd reach out to Adam who might be able to help. 20 minutes later Adam was at our house and working to get the issue figured out. We can't say enough about the service and professionalism of Darren and Adam. Extremely fair pricing as well. We'll definitely be using them for any future needs we have. If you're looking for an electrician, you don't need to look any further.

Gabor Kovacs

23:33 06 Aug 19

Thanks for helping us out Adam.

Andy Havas

23:30 06 Aug 19

Adam took the time to answer our questions and explain everything, Great job, highly recommended. Thank you.

Brady Mulroy

11:39 19 Jul 19

We had Darren and his crew set us up with an upgraded 200Amp panel, 3 - 220v outlets and a 5.4kWh solar system and they did a perfect job! The system runs perfectly and the upgraded outlets help us charge our Tesla with the included travel charger at 32amps, 30 miles per hour. Our solar system is now producing 140% of our daily needs and is exceeding all of our expectations! We plan on adding more panels down the road and we will definitely be calling Darren!

Lynette Susnik

04:53 07 Jul 19

Wow! What a great team of electricians this company has! I had some work done in my home and the quality and service were top notch. Thank you for an outstanding job.

Gary Lock

19:59 31 May 19

The crew at Integrated Building Systems installed a bathroom fan for me. They showed up on time, were very professional and did a great job!

Madden Swan

19:52 25 Mar 19

Darren, the owner of Integrated Building Systems, and Adam, who we've worked with consistently over several projects, are both excellent to work with. They have great customer-service and do nice work correctly, quickly and for a decent price.I've always enjoyed working with Darren and Adam to get what I need to done in my house. My projects have ranged from installing new electrical boxes and wiring new light fixtures, to hooking up a dryer outlet - twice because I needed to move it! - and adding dimmer switches). No matter how big or small the project is, I will only be using Integrated Building Systems for my electrical needs. They do it right.

James Wood

17:40 22 Mar 19

I've used Integrated Building Systems a couples of times for electrical work. The electrician, Adam, has been timely, proficient, and good to work with.

Peter Reid

15:35 01 Feb 19

Darren was a wealth of information on the Aqua-Air product. He stepped me through its operation, benefits, etc. even though he would not get the sale as I'm on the other end of the country. He even offered to be a resource for the installer in our area. I wish Darren was in WA state. He'd have my business in a heart beat. Bosses need an Attaboy's too.

Tony Siebers

21:53 17 Dec 18

Darren and his staff were very responsive. We were very happy with the work and the professionalism of the workers. All in all a good experience and we will use them for any future electrical work.

Samuel Hoffman

02:12 10 Dec 18

Timely, honest, reasonably priced, and friendly.

Maureen LaDell

19:14 08 Dec 18

Phoned the owner, Darren, on a Friday night. We had no power in our family room and the wires were broken and not hooked up properly. Just talking to Darren over the phone, I came to the conclusion that he was a really nice guy! Had one of his men, Adam, come to our house at 9 the next morning - on a weekend! Adam was able to find and fix all the wiring problems, the new ones as well as an ongoing problem. Super friendly young man! VERY happy with the whole experience! My new 'go to' electrician!

Haley Cappaert

16:43 06 Dec 18

I had a whole wall of outlets that didn’t work and I didn’t think would be repairable for the right price. I was wrong! Darren was very professional, timely, and reasonably priced. He was also very sweet to our barking dog and excited new puppy. Thank you!!

Brad Bowsher

15:45 21 Nov 18

Fantastic company to work with. Service is great, timely and reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

Peg Crocker

18:51 17 Nov 18

Adam and Chad did an amazing job on our Kitchen!! I would highly recommend them both!!

Debbie Huberty

21:12 26 Oct 18

Rhonda Jacobson

02:22 08 Oct 18

Used them in May to wire my new kitchen island. For the first time I’ve used an electrician that was competent, honest, and efficient. Will use them again and will definitely refer them in the future.

brent baldwyn

16:54 01 Oct 18

Darren gave me the prices right up front and arrived in a very timely manner very professional and friendly got the job done very quickly and cleaned up after the job was done I will call them every time from now and I encourage anyone else to call them if you need electrical work done

Jacob Lindberg

14:59 22 Aug 18

Mike Lowney

01:10 10 Aug 18

Adam arrived with a positive attitude and got right after the job. We encountered a few tricky situations, but he was quick to come up with a resolution. He finished the job about an hour ahead of schedule saving me some scratch given what I budgeted from the original time estimate. I will definitely use these guys again!

Holly Eisberner

21:45 08 Aug 18

Adam provided quick, courteous, and professional service. I'm very pleased and I highly recommend them. I won't hesitate to hire them again.

Lee Johnson

04:31 22 Jun 18

Darren arrived when he said he would. He was very knowledgeable. His prices were very reasonable. He completed the job quickly and cleaned up after. I will definitely use his company again.

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