What this service involves
Replace the customer-owned meter enclosure and coordinate utility disconnect and reconnect.
Typical scope and limits: Same location and amperage. Utility fees and mast replacement excluded.
Who usually needs it
Homeowners replacing damaged or obsolete equipment, adding major loads such as an EV charger or heat pump, or planning a remodel that needs more circuits.
Estimated pricing
$1,620–$3,600 per project
Priced per project. This is a planning range, not a quote.
Project ranges include labor and standard installation materials unless a listing says otherwise. Hourly rates are labor only, and equipment you supply (such as chargers, fixtures or fans) is not included. Permit fees and sales tax are additional. Estimates are free, including on-site visits.
Electrical work may require openings in walls or ceilings. Drywall patching, texture, and painting are not included and must be arranged with others.
What an electrician evaluates first
- The existing service size, meter base and service entrance
- A load calculation based on current and planned appliances
- Panel condition, available spaces and breaker compatibility
- Grounding and bonding as found
- Working clearance around the panel
Typical work sequence
- Review the equipment and planned loads
- Confirm scope, permit and any utility coordination
- Schedule the outage window
- Replace or modify equipment and transfer circuits
- Label circuits and prepare for inspection
- Restore power after approval or utility reconnection
Access and disruption
Panel work usually happens at the panel and meter, with power off for part of a day or longer. Relocation or new service routes can require wall, siding or ground openings.
Permits and inspection
Work on the electrical service usually needs coordination with the serving utility — for example Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD or Tacoma Public Utilities, depending on the address — in addition to an electrical permit and inspection. Utility scheduling and any utility charges are outside True’s control and are not included in the estimate.
Helpful, safe photos
A photo of the closed panel door, the panel label inside the door if visible without removing covers, and the meter from a safe distance. Only photograph what is safely visible — never remove electrical covers.
Related True Wire work
Photos from related projects; they are not necessarily this exact service.
Questions
Does a bigger panel give me more power?
Not by itself. The utility service and conductors set how much power the home can draw. A larger panel adds breaker spaces; a service upgrade increases capacity.
Will I be without power?
Yes, for part of the work. The outage length depends on the scope and, for service work, on utility scheduling.
Not sure what you need?
Send a photo. Ask a certified electrician.
Not sure what you need? Send a photo and tell True what’s going on or what you’d like to change. Get help understanding your options and the next step.
Tell True about your project
What happens next
Tell us what you’re working on. True will review your request and respond by your preferred contact method. Together, we’ll determine whether the next step is advice based on your photos, a visit, or an estimate. Estimates are free, including on-site visits.