Outdated electrical panels are the #1 cause of residential electrical fires in the US. Aaron-Carter Electric has upgraded hundreds of Houston-area panels since 1998 — safely, correctly, and to code.
Most panel failures don't announce themselves with sparks and drama. They whisper first — through symptoms homeowners ignore for years, until something goes seriously wrong.
"If you don't know how old your panel is, that's the first thing we figure out. We've been inside enough Houston homes to know what to look for — and how to tell you straight what it means."
— Aaron McAlexander · Owner, Aaron-Carter Electric · Since 1998From a straight 200-amp upgrade to a full commercial service replacement — we handle it all, and we pull the permit every time.
The standard residential upgrade. Replaces undersized 100-amp service with modern 200-amp capacity — essential for today's homes with EVs, large HVAC, and smart systems.
These panels are known fire hazards. Breakers in FPE Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels can fail to trip under overload. If you have one, replacing it is not optional.
Larger service entrances, three-phase panels, and commercial distribution boards for businesses, multi-family, and tenant improvement projects throughout the Houston area.
Adding a workshop, garage, in-law suite, or pool equipment? A dedicated subpanel delivers the capacity where you need it without overloading your main service.
Old fuse boxes aren't just outdated — they're often not insurable. We replace fuse-based systems with modern breaker panels that meet current Texas electrical code.
Call us and describe what's happening. We'll tell you what it likely requires before you spend a dime. Over 25 years of Houston work means we can usually diagnose over the phone.
Call (713) 962-2797Every month you wait, the risk goes up. Call today for a straight answer about what your panel needs — and what it'll cost.
No surprises. No runaround. Here's exactly what to expect from call to completion.
Tell us what's happening: breakers tripping, planning an addition, insurance flagged your panel, or just not sure. We'll ask a few questions and tell you what we think is going on — before we ever set foot in your home.
We look at your current panel, service entrance, and what your home or business needs. We tell you exactly what the job involves and what it costs — in writing — before anything starts. No vague ballparks, no scope surprises.
We handle the permit application and coordinate with the city and CenterPoint when required. The job gets done correctly and to code — then it gets inspected and passed. You don't have to manage any of it.
Your new panel is labeled, inspected, and documented. You have a record of the work if you ever need it for insurance or resale. And we're still reachable if anything ever needs attention down the road.
Panel work done wrong creates hazards you can't see. Here's why Houston homeowners and businesses have been trusting us with this work since 1998.
Unpermitted panel work can void your homeowner's insurance, fail a home inspection at sale, and in the worst case, put your family at risk. We don't skip this step. Ever.
Houston homes have unique challenges — older construction, hurricane-zone requirements, heat and humidity effects on wiring. We've been inside enough local panels to know exactly what to look for.
Aaron McAlexander is the licensed contractor. When you have a question about your panel job, you reach the person who's actually responsible for the work.
A full service upgrade is a significant investment. We offer financing so the work gets done right, not deferred until something fails.
Panel work is invisible — but the outcome isn't.
"Our insurance company told us our Federal Pacific panel needed to go before renewal. Three other electricians gave us wildly different estimates and one didn't even mention a permit. Aaron-Carter handled everything — permit, inspection, the works. The price he quoted was the price we paid."
"We were adding an EV charger and a new HVAC unit and knew we needed more capacity. Aaron came out, explained exactly what size panel we needed and why, coordinated with CenterPoint, and got it done in one day. Every circuit labeled. Inspection passed first try."
"Used Aaron-Carter for a full commercial panel replacement on a tenant improvement. They worked around our schedule, kept the downtime minimal, and handled the inspector directly. Professional from start to finish. This is who I call for electrical work in Houston."
"Needed a subpanel for a detached garage workshop. Called on a Monday, Aaron came to assess Wednesday, work was done the following week. Clean work, explained everything as he went, and the permit was handled without me doing a thing. Exactly how it should work."
Straight answers. No runaround.
The honest answer is: you won't know until we look. A single tripping breaker on a young panel is often a simple repair. Repeated tripping, warm panels, flickering lights, or any panel over 30 years old typically warrants replacement — not band-aids. We'll tell you which situation you're in after we assess it, and we'll give you both options when a choice exists.
Yes. The City of Houston and surrounding jurisdictions require a permit for any panel replacement or service upgrade. Unpermitted panel work can void your homeowner's insurance coverage, cause problems when you sell, and most importantly, it means no one verified the work meets electrical code. We pull the permit, coordinate the inspection, and make sure everything passes. There are no shortcuts here.
Most residential panel changeouts take one day. We'll schedule the power outage for your home with CenterPoint in advance so you know exactly when power will be off and when it'll be restored. Commercial projects vary based on scope, but we'll give you a realistic timeline before work starts — not a vague estimate that slips.
A straight 200-amp residential upgrade typically runs in the range of $2,500–$4,000 in the Houston area, depending on your service entrance, panel location, and any additional work needed (new meter base, mast replacement, grounding upgrades). Federal Pacific or Zinsco replacements are in a similar range. Commercial work varies significantly by scope. We give you an exact price after we see the job — not a guess over the phone.
Start by calling us. This is one of the most common reasons we get calls. We'll assess your panel, confirm what your insurer is likely flagging (Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, undersized service, etc.), and give you a written estimate you can submit to your insurer. We handle everything from there — permit, inspection, and documentation.
These panels have documented failure modes. FPE Stab-Lok breakers are known to fail to trip during overload — meaning they don't do their one job when it matters. Zinsco panels have similar issues. The risk isn't theoretical; these brands are why the National Fire Protection Association tracks them separately. If you have one, we'd recommend scheduling a replacement, not waiting to see what happens.
Absolutely — and it's almost always worth doing while you're already in there. Upgrading from a 150-amp to a 200-amp panel (or 200 to 320 for larger properties) while the job is open costs far less than coming back later. If you know you're adding an EV charger, pool equipment, or expanding the house in the next few years, tell us and we'll plan for it in the initial install.
Yes. Panel upgrades are a meaningful investment and we understand that timing matters. We offer financing options for qualifying jobs. Ask about it when you call — we'll tell you exactly what's available.
Have a question not covered here?
Call Us — (713) 962-2797Call us, describe what's happening, and we'll give you a straight answer — before you spend anything.