Panel Upgrades in Fairfax, Virginia
200-amp upgrades, heavy-ups, sub-panels, and Federal Pacific & Zinsco replacements - done to code and inspected.
DC Electrical Contractor #EM-40-0001168 · MD Master Electrician #7987 · VA Class A Contractor #2705198087 · EPA & OSHA Certified
Pirro Electric handles panel upgrades for homeowners, businesses, and property managers in Fairfax, VA. Work is scoped on site, quoted in writing, permitted, and inspected before we call it done. Typical scope: 100-amp to 200-amp service upgrades ("heavy-ups"), federal pacific stab-lok panel replacement, and zinsco panel replacement.
Fairfax's huge stock of 1970s-80s single-family homes and townhomes in areas like Fair Oaks, Oakton, and neighborhoods near Fairfax City carries a lot of aluminum branch wiring, original Federal Pacific panels, and 100-amp services that are now overloaded by EVs, added HVAC, and home offices. Old Town Fairfax has an older core of homes that mix knob-and-tube remnants with later aluminum-era rewiring, so it's not unusual to find both problems in one house.
When You Actually Need a Panel Upgrade
A 'heavy-up' - moving from 100-amp to 200-amp service - is one of the most common requests we get. You typically need one if you're adding an EV charger, a heat pump or mini-split, a hot tub, an addition, or if your existing panel is full and there's no room for new circuits.
If your panel is a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or a Zinsco, the answer is simpler: replace it. Both panels have documented histories of breakers failing to trip during overcurrent - a known fire hazard and one that most insurers now flag during inspection.
Why Pirro Electric for Panel Work
Panel work is some of the highest-stakes residential electrical you can hire out - bad workmanship can quietly create fire hazards for years. We're licensed master electricians in MD, DC, and VA, fully insured, and we pull permits on every panel swap. No exceptions.
More detail on scope and pricing: our full panel upgrades & heavy-ups page or the electrical panel upgrade cost in the dmv guide.
What Affects the Price of Panel Upgrades & Heavy-Ups in Fairfax
Every quote is written after an on-site look. These are the variables that move the number:
- Service size (100A → 200A vs. 200A → 400A)
- Overhead vs. underground service drop
- Meter base and service entrance condition
- Panel location (basement vs. exterior wall)
- Permit and county inspection fees
- Whether your current grounding system needs upgrades
Local Conditions We Work Around in Fairfax
Commercial stretches along Route 50 and Route 29, plus the Mosaic District area near Merrifield, generate steady tenant fit-out and lighting retrofit work as retail and office space turns over. Fairfax County issues most electrical permits here, with Dominion Energy as the utility for the majority of the county and NOVEC serving parts of western Fairfax, so we confirm which utility applies before scheduling service work.
Common Panel Upgrades & Heavy-Ups Projects in Fairfax
- Federal Pacific & Zinsco panel replacements
Neighborhoods servedFairfax City · Mosaic District (Merrifield, adjacent) · Fair Oaks · Burke (adjacent)
ZIP codes22030 · 22031 · 22032 · 22033 · 22034 · 22035
What's Included
Every job in Fairfax comes scoped, permitted, and inspected - no shortcuts.
- 100-amp to 200-amp service upgrades ("heavy-ups")
- Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel replacement
- Zinsco panel replacement
- Main breaker panel and meter base swaps
- Sub-panel installation for additions and detached structures
- Whole-home surge protection at the panel
- Panel relabeling and circuit mapping
- AFCI and GFCI breaker upgrades
Panel Upgrades & Heavy-Ups in Fairfax - Common Questions
What Customers Say
Excerpts from verified Google reviews of Pirro Electric.
"We use Pirro across our portfolio of 50+ commercial retail buildings. Excellent work, responsive, priced competitively, and they get it right the first time."
Timothy M.
Google Review · Commercial Property Manager"Pirro re-wired my whole townhouse, updated the panel, and replaced every outlet and switch. Professional, friendly, and on time. Couldn't ask for a better company."
JMW
Google Review · Verified Homeowner"If you're thinking of going with Pirro - do it. You won't be sorry. I run a medium-sized HOA and wouldn't use any other company for our electric."
Amanda S.
Google Review · HOA Board DirectorNearby Areas We Serve
Same panel upgrades & heavy-ups crew, next town over.
Related Services in Fairfax
Often booked alongside panel upgrades & heavy-ups.
Ready to Get Started in Fairfax?
Free written quotes. Licensed & insured. Same-week scheduling for most projects.