How Long Does a Los Angeles Panel Upgrade Take? (2026)

The actual panel swap is usually one working day: HomeGuide's December 2024 "Cost to replace electrical panel" says about 8 to 10 hours, but for homeowners planning with VoltGen Energy in Los Angeles, utility steps set the calendar. LADWP's "Request a Meter Spot for Single Family Residential Home or ADU up to 320 Amps" page says an Electric Service Representative schedules a visit within 5 to 15 business days of the online request. Burbank Water and Power's "Electric Service Planning FAQ" says service is generally connected within 10 business days after the city's final inspection. Pasadena Water and Power's "Requirements for New or Upgraded Electric Services" says service turns on within 14 business days for small secondary residential jobs once all clearances are obtained.

Which utility steps set the schedule?

Panel installation and utility approval are different parts of the job. A meter spot confirms the panel location; it is not permission to skip permits, inspections or utility service work.

The table separates published steps rather than adding them into a total. Permit processing and the work itself add time. LADWP's longer construction steps apply to service work needing utility requirements and off-site facilities, not automatically to every replacement panel.

Times from each utility's own published pages and guides, last reviewed October 26, 2026. They are the utility's stated windows, not guarantees; ask the utility about your address.

How long does LADWP take to approve a service upgrade?

LADWP does not publish one approval window that covers every panel upgrade. Its current meter spot page gives the initial scheduling window above, not a finish date for the entire project.

For City of Los Angeles addresses, including Studio City and Los Angeles neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, start by requesting the meter spot. LADWP leaves a panel-location sketch at the jobsite, and the LADBS inspector may ask to see it. The online request covers single-family services up to 320 amps. Above that, call the LADWP Connection Center at (213) 367-6937.

A like-for-like replacement at the same size and location usually does not need new LADWP facilities. The longer chart steps mainly matter when service size, location or overhead versus underground supply changes. Ask at the meter spot which steps your job needs.

LADWP's March 12, 2024 Consumer's Guide says to notify your Electric Service Representative five working days prior to construction. It also says to allow several days for LADBS to release inspection information electronically to LADWP. A passed inspection and a release received by the utility are separate checkpoints. For services up to 200 amps single phase, the guide says the LADBS inspector provides the final inspection for LADWP. Your inspector has the final say.

How long does a panel upgrade take in Burbank?

Burbank's sequence starts with the utility field visit, before the electrical permit application. Its published connection window does not include all the planning, permit and installation work that comes first.

Schedule a residential field visit with a BWP Electrical Service Planner. The emailed Confirmation of Electric Service is the meter spot. BWP requires a valid Confirmation before you apply for the electrical permit through Burbank Building and Safety or Burbank Online Permits.

Review the utility charges shown on that document. BWP's "Electric Service Planning FAQ" says Aid-in-Construction for typical small residential upgrades generally ranges from around $500 to around $4,000. These are BWP utility charges, not contractor prices, and fees must be paid before BWP energizes service.

With the permit and fees paid, call (818) 238-3575 to arrange meter unlocking. BWP's "Permit Process for Electrification" page says city inspections are scheduled through Burbank Online Permits one day in advance. Underground work also requires a BWP conduit inspection before covering.

After the final inspection, the building division directly notifies BWP. Confirm who will track that notification and arrange the remaining utility work rather than assuming the panel installation completes the process.

What should Pasadena and Glendale homeowners expect?

Pasadena publishes a connection window after clearances; this guide cannot give a verified current window for Glendale. Use your own utility's process, not a neighboring city's schedule.

In Pasadena, request a meter spot at 626.744.4495 or [email protected]. Under PWP's "Requirements for New or Upgraded Electric Services," a Utility Planner sends a panel upgrade questionnaire, then PWP provides an approved meter spot and a service-work quote if required.

Get the electrical permit from Pasadena's Permit Center and arrange any required payment to PWP Electric Service Planning. PWP must perform all meter unlocking. The process also calls for PWP inspection of the new panel and conduit, plus Building and Safety's final electrical inspection. The published turn-on window starts once all clearances are obtained, not when the questionnaire is submitted.

Glendale Water and Power handles meter spots and reconnection in Glendale. We could not read GWP's current published timelines from its official site when we reviewed this guide. Ask GWP for its current process and the scheduling requirements for your address.

Beverly Hills, Malibu and some other nearby cities are served by Southern California Edison, not a city utility. This guide covers the four city utilities; ask SCE for its process if it serves your home.

How long will the power be off?

The installation work estimate is not a guaranteed outage duration. Power is off while the old panel comes out and the new one goes in, but inspection and utility arrangements also affect restoration.

BWP's "Electric Service Planning FAQ" says your electrician may maintain continuity of service and move the meter and service drop to the new panel. It also directs homeowners to BWP Electrical Service Planning if temporary power is needed. That is an option to discuss, not a promise that every home stays powered or avoids an overnight outage.

Before authorizing work, ask how disconnection, inspection and reconnection will be coordinated. Explain any medical equipment, refrigeration, security or work-from-home needs. Have a backup plan if restoration does not happen as expected.

What can you do to keep the project moving?

Request the meter spot early and make each handoff someone's responsibility. A contractor cannot promise the utility's finish date or bypass its review.

Moving the panel, changing overhead service to underground or going above 200 amps adds utility review. Discuss those choices before treating an installation date as settled. Keep the approved meter spot sketch available for the inspector, pay required utility charges, and make sure any inspection corrections are resolved.

Ask for these items in the written scope:

• Who requests the meter spot and submits utility information?
• Who obtains the permit and schedules inspections?
• Does the work include a service change or only panel replacement?
• Who arranges meter unlocking, disconnection and reconnection?
• Who confirms the utility received the inspection release?
• What is the plan if power cannot be restored as expected?

Keep the finaled permit if you plan to claim a utility panel rebate. A clear scope helps you compare quotes without confusing installation labor with utility scheduling.

Getting an estimate

VoltGen Energy serves Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Studio City and Los Angeles. For panel upgrades, request a quote with your utility name, existing panel information and planned electrical additions.

Compare scope with our electrical panel upgrade cost guide, read the Federal Pacific and Zinsco panel guide, and review rebates for panel upgrades and home electrification.

VoltGen Energy operates under Akopi Builders, CSLB #1112420. Electrical work is performed by licensed C-10 electrical contractors.