Panel Upgrades in Rockville, Maryland
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 Rockville, MD. 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.
Rockville's housing stock runs from 1950s-60s ramblers in College Gardens and Twinbrook to 1970s split-levels and townhomes in Rockshire and New Mark Commons to dense new construction at Town Center and Pike & Rose. The older single-family sections still turn up aluminum wiring, original Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels, and 100-amp services that can't handle a modern kitchen, heat pump, and EV charger at once.
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 Rockville
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 Rockville
Twinbrook and Hungerford also have pockets of two-prong ungrounded outlets left over from the original build. Along Rockville Pike, older strip-retail and mid-rise buildings need tenant fit-outs and feeder work as spaces turn over, while new residential towers near the Metro need EV-ready garage circuits. Every job here runs through Montgomery County DPS permitting, and Pepco is the utility for service coordination and meter work.
Rockville Housing Stock
Heavy concentration of 1950s-60s ramblers and split-levels, plus 1970s aluminum-era garden condos along Rockville Pike and in Twinbrook. Newer copper townhomes dominate King Farm and the redeveloping Town Center.
Permits & Utility Coordination in Rockville
The City of Rockville is its own permitting authority, running in parallel with Montgomery County DPS. We file through Rockville Building Permits for addresses inside city limits and through DPS for everything outside them. Pepco handles the service and meter work either way.
Common Panel Upgrades & Heavy-Ups Projects in Rockville
- 200-amp panel upgrades in 1960s split-levels
- Federal Pacific and Zinsco panel replacements
Neighborhoods servedTown Center · Twinbrook · King Farm · Fallsmead
ZIP codes20850 · 20851 · 20852 · 20853 · 20855
What's Included
Every job in Rockville 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 Rockville - Common Questions
What Customers Say
Excerpts from verified Google reviews of Pirro Electric.
"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 Director"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 ManagerNearby Areas We Serve
Same panel upgrades & heavy-ups crew, next town over.
Related Services in Rockville
Often booked alongside panel upgrades & heavy-ups.
Ready to Get Started in Rockville?
Free written quotes. Licensed & insured. Same-week scheduling for most projects.