What we find in Fort Lauderdale panels
Many homes in Sailboat Bend, Victoria Park, Croissant Park and Riverland still run on original 100-amp service, sometimes with Federal Pacific or Zinsco equipment that insurers flag on 4-point inspections. Owners usually call us when they add central air, remodel a kitchen or buy an EV and find the panel full.
Closer to the water, the problem is corrosion: salt air eats at exterior meter cans, disconnects and the bus bars inside outdoor panels. On waterfront lots we replace corroded equipment with properly rated enclosures and check that the meter and main disconnect sit where the building department wants them in flood-prone areas.
Fort Lauderdale specifics
- Historic districts like Sailboat Bend can require extra review for visible exterior changes such as a relocated meter.
- Low-lying and waterfront lots may need service equipment raised above the required flood level.
- Condo unit panels are coordinated with the association and building management before any shutdown.
- Upgrades are a good moment to add whole-home surge protection, which current code requires on replaced services.
Panel upgrade prices in Fort Lauderdale
Ranges come from our published price list and include labor and materials. Your technician confirms the exact price in writing before any work starts.
4-point inspections and your insurance
Many Florida insurers ask for a 4-point inspection on homes that are about 25–30 years old or older, and Fort Lauderdale has thousands of them. On the electrical side, the inspector writes down the panel brand, its age and its condition. Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Sylvania, Challenger and fuse panels are often marked "not acceptable," and the insurer may give you a deadline to replace them. See our guide to panels Florida insurers reject.
When the new panel passes the city inspection, we give you the permit number, the final inspection result and photos of the new panel, so you can send them to your insurance agent.
What happens on the day of the change
- Permit: we file it with the City of Fort Lauderdale through LauderBuild before the work day.
- Power off: for a panel replacement, the power is usually off for 4–8 hours. If the meter or service also changes, FPL has to disconnect and reconnect, and the job can take 1–2 days.
- Installation: we install the new panel and breakers, label every circuit and add surge protection when the code requires it.
- Inspection: the city inspects the work, and then FPL reconnects the service if it was disconnected.
Permits and approvals in Fort Lauderdale
Panel and service changes are permitted through the City of Fort Lauderdale's Building Services Division (applications go through LauderBuild), then inspected before FPL reconnects the service. See our Broward County electrical permit guide.
Pricing
Panel replacements generally run $1,800–$5,000 and 100A-to-200A service upgrades $2,600–$8,500; you get a written price after the load calculation. See what drives the price in our panel upgrade cost guide or the full price list.
Learn more about our electrical panel upgrades services or see everything we do for homes and businesses in Fort Lauderdale.
