How Long Does a 200 Amp Service Upgrade Take?

I want to give you a straight answer on this. A standard 200 amp service upgrade takes about 8 hours. One full day. You'll be without power for roughly 4 to 6 hours in the middle while we coordinate with PECO for the shutoff and reconnect. By end of day you're back up and running.

That's the normal answer.

Then there's the other kind of job.

A few years back we were running new wiring through an attic as part of a service upgrade. Perfectly routine. Until we found a nest of baby bats. Not just any bats. An endangered species.

The job stopped immediately.

What followed involved multiple government agencies, a formal mitigation process, and a waiting period while the bats matured enough to leave the nest on their own. We could not touch that attic until every single bat had vacated. I don't remember the exact timeline but I can tell you it was not 8 hours.

The homeowner was incredibly patient. The bats were not particularly grateful.

I tell that story because I want to be honest with you. Most jobs go exactly as planned. Occasionally something unexpected comes up and we handle it. That's part of the job and part of why you hire an experienced electrician instead of whoever shows up cheapest on Google.

So here's everything you actually need to know about timing.

The Standard Timeline

A typical 200 amp service upgrade runs like this:

Morning. We arrive, assess the setup, pull the old panel and service entrance.

Midday. New panel goes in, wiring connections are made, everything is inspected internally.

Afternoon. PECO reconnects power, we do a full walkthrough and test everything and label the electrical panel.

End of day. You have power, a new panel, and we're out of your way.

Total time on site is around 8 hours. Power is off for roughly 4 to 6 hours of that.

What Can Make It Take Longer?

A few things can add time to a service upgrade:

Older homes with knob and tube wiring that needs to be addressed at the same time

Unexpected issues inside the walls or attic (see above, re: bats)

Homes that need additional grounding or bonding work to meet current code

Permit or utility scheduling delays in certain municipalities

Weather. PECO won't reconnect in certain conditions.

None of these are dealbreakers. They just mean we adjust and communicate with you in real time.

Will I Really Be Without Power All Day?

No. The full outage window is usually 4 to 6 hours, not the entire 8 hours we're on site. We schedule PECO in advance so the timing is predictable.

If you need the fridge or freezer running we can bring a generator. Or, as I've told many customers over the years, it's actually a great day to get out of the house, grab lunch, run errands, and come home to a brand new panel. Most people find it less disruptive than they expected.

Do I Need to Be Home?

Yes, for the start and end of the job at minimum. We need access to the panel area and we'll want to walk you through everything when we're done. You don't need to hover over us all day but we do need you reachable.

What About Permits and Inspections?

We pull every permit ourselves before the job starts. After the work is complete, our inspector will schedule a follow up visit to sign off on the installation. This is a separate appointment and typically happens within a week or two after we finish. You don't need to do anything for this. We handle the scheduling and paperwork.

What Should I Do to Prepare?

Clear the area around your electrical panel before we arrive. Give us a few feet of working space on all sides.

I say this with love because I have moved some truly heroic piles of storage bins in my day. Your panel deserves a little breathing room and so do we.

Quick FAQs

Can you do a 200 amp upgrade in one day?

Yes. The vast majority of standard residential upgrades are completed in a single day.

What if something unexpected comes up?

We communicate with you immediately and give you a clear picture of what it means for timing and cost. No surprises after the fact.

Will I need to schedule a separate inspection?

Yes but we handle all of that. You just need to be available for the inspector's visit which is typically a quick walkthrough.

What if I have an older home?

Older homes sometimes have additional needs like updated grounding or knob and tube remediation. We assess this upfront so you're not caught off guard on the day of the job.

Call us at (610) 565-3519 or book online at weinstein-electric.com.

Weinstein Electric serves Media, Broomall, Havertown, Springfield, Newtown Square, West Chester, Malvern, Bryn Mawr, and communities throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and the Main Line.