Electrical Panel Installation

Nevada’s Longest-Standing BES Contractor, Serving Reno Since 1979

If your lights dim when large appliances kick on, breakers trip often, or your panel looks decades old, it may be time to look at electrical panel installation. A modern, properly sized panel helps protect your property from electrical hazards and gives you the capacity your home or business actually needs.

In the Reno area, many properties were wired long before today’s electronics, HVAC systems, and EV chargers became standard. Our team at Have Lights Will Travel helps local property owners decide whether repair, upgrade, or full replacement is the right move, and we explain everything in plain language before any work begins.

We’ve served Nevada since 1979 as a family-owned electrical contractor. Our licensed electricians arrive in fully stocked trucks, respect your schedule, and leave your space cleaner and safer than they found it.

To schedule an inspection or discuss an electrical panel installation for your property, call (775) 355-6301 and speak with our team today.

Why Reno Property Owners Choose Have Lights Will Travel

When it comes to electrical panel replacement in Reno, homeowners and businesses want safety, reliability, and a contractor who will be around long-term. With over 45 years in Nevada, Have Lights Will Travel is a family-owned business with deep local roots and a straightforward way of working.

We understand how electrical systems in Northern Nevada have evolved, from older breaker boxes in established neighborhoods to modern service panels built for today’s higher energy demands. That history helps us quickly identify outdated equipment and undersized panels before they cause real problems.

Our “warehouse on wheels” approach sets us apart. Each service truck is fully stocked with parts purchased directly from manufacturers, so we can complete many panel upgrades in a single visit with no return trips to a supply house. You don’t pay for wasted travel time, and the job can get done faster.

We’re committed to clear, honest recommendations. If a repair or targeted upgrade is possible, we explain that option first. If replacement is the safest path, we walk you through exactly why. All pricing is transparent, with free estimates before any work starts. Our Inc. 5000 recognition as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country reflects the trust our customers have placed in us over the years.

Homeowners and businesses choose us for:

• 45+ years of Nevada experience
• Family-owned, locally rooted reputation
• Fully stocked service trucks for efficient, single-visit work
• Transparent pricing and free estimates
• Longest-standing contractor in NV Energy’s Business Energy Services program

Signs You May Need a New Panel

It can be hard to know when common electrical issues are a nuisance and when they signal a real problem. When something changes in how your system behaves, that’s worth a call. A brief conversation and an inspection often provide peace of mind, whether the answer turns out to be electrical panel replacement or just a targeted repair.

Some symptoms point to a panel that should be evaluated soon. Breakers that trip repeatedly even after reset, a panel cover that feels warm to the touch, buzzing or crackling sounds near the box, visible rust or discoloration, and burning odors are all signs worth taking seriously. Capacity-related symptoms are just as telling: losing power when the dryer, oven, and air conditioner run at the same time suggests your panel may be undersized for what your property demands today.

Many older Reno properties still rely on panels installed decades ago with limited space for new circuits and wiring that may not meet current code. If you’re planning to add an EV charger, hot tub, new HVAC system, or a secondary suite, it’s common to outgrow an older breaker box before those projects can move forward.

Common reasons to request a panel evaluation include:

• Frequent breaker trips or circuits that no longer reset normally
• Visible rust, discoloration, or a burning smell near the panel
• Warm or buzzing panel doors, breakers, or surrounding walls
• An older panel with no room for additional circuits
• Plans for renovations or new equipment that require more power

These signs don’t always mean a full breaker panel replacement is required. Our electricians inspect your system, explain what they find, and outline whether simple repairs, a subpanel addition, or a complete replacement makes the most sense for your property and budget.

Our Panel Installation & Replacement Process

When you contact us for electrical panel installation in Reno, we start with a conversation about your concerns, your property, and any planned upgrades. From there, we schedule a visit at a time that works for you.

On-Site Inspection & Clear Recommendations

Our electricians arrive in fully stocked service trucks and get to work without delays. We inspect your panel, meter, and wiring while listening to reported issues like tripping breakers or flickering lights. Nothing starts until we understand the full picture.

After the evaluation, we explain our findings and present options with pricing for each:

• Repairs or individual breaker replacements
• Targeted upgrades to specific circuits
• Full panel replacement sized for your current and planned loads

Installation Day & Final Walkthrough

If you move forward, we coordinate any required permits with the City of Reno as part of the process. On installation day, we arrive on time, review the plan with you, and safely shut down power. We remove the old panel, install the new equipment, reconnect and label all circuits, and test the system to help confirm everything is safe and properly balanced.

Before we leave, we clean the work area and walk you through your new panel’s layout and operation. If inspections are required, we handle the coordination so the process stays simple on your end.

Planning for Safety & Future Capacity

An electrical panel is the central hub for all the power entering your property. When we plan a breaker panel replacement or new installation for a Reno home or business, we look beyond the immediate problem and consider how you’re likely to use power over the next several years.

Modern properties place significantly more demand on their panels than they did when many local neighborhoods were built. Older Reno-area homes were commonly wired with 100-amp service, while today’s central air conditioning, home offices, entertainment systems, and electric vehicles typically require at least 200 amps. Getting the sizing right from the start can help you avoid a second upgrade down the road.

Our long participation in NV Energy’s Business Energy Services program means we pay close attention to energy use alongside capacity. A new panel may not directly reduce your electricity bill, but it supports other improvements that can, such as efficient lighting or upgraded HVAC equipment. We can help you see how electrical panel installation fits into a broader plan for reliable, efficient power.

We also work to keep costs reasonable by reusing existing components where it’s safe to do so. In many cases, we can retrofit parts of your system rather than starting from scratch, preserving useful conduit runs or existing subpanels while upgrading the main panel and breakers. Northern Nevada summers put a heavy load on cooling systems, which can stress older or undersized panels. Planning correctly now can reduce nuisance trips later and position your property for additions like EV chargers or shop equipment when the time comes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I Need a New Panel?

You may need a new panel if breakers trip repeatedly, the panel feels warm to the touch, or you notice rust, discoloration, or a burning smell. Running out of space for new circuits is another clear sign. Our electricians inspect your system and explain in plain language whether repair, a targeted upgrade, or full replacement is the most practical and safe choice for your property.

How Long Will My Power Be Off During Installation?

Power is typically off for several hours during a panel replacement, with the exact duration depending on system complexity. We review the schedule with you in advance so you can plan around essential appliances or business operations. Our warehouse on wheels approach means we arrive with everything needed to work efficiently and minimize total downtime.

Can Your Electricians Upgrade a Panel in an Older Reno Home?

Yes. We frequently perform panel upgrades in older Reno homes and small businesses. Having served Nevada since 1979, we’re familiar with local construction styles and the specific code requirements that apply here. Our licensed electricians evaluate your existing system and design a code-compliant upgrade tailored to your property.

What Will My Electrical Panel Replacement Cost?

Cost depends on factors such as panel size, the condition of existing wiring, and any upgrades required by current code. We provide free estimates with clear line items before work begins. Where safe components can be repaired or reused, we do that first, which can help keep your total project cost reasonable.

What Should I Expect When Your Team Arrives?

Our electricians arrive on time in a fully stocked service truck, introduce themselves, and walk through the plan with you. We use boot covers, protect your floors, and keep the work area organized throughout the visit. We explain what we’re doing as we go and clean up completely before we leave.

Schedule Your Panel Inspection in Reno

Whether you’re dealing with a panel that can’t keep up or planning ahead for new equipment, our team is ready to help. We provide free estimates, explain every option before work begins, and won’t push you toward a replacement if a simpler fix is the right answer.

Call (775) 355-6301 to schedule an inspection or discuss electrical panel installation for your Reno home or business.