FPE & Zinsco Panel Replacement Los Angeles

Introduction

If your Los Angeles home was built between the 1950s and 1980s, there's a significant chance your electrical panel could be a fire hazard. Tens of thousands of homes across Los Angeles County still contain Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) or Zinsco electrical panels—two brands that have been documented to fail at alarming rates and contribute to electrical fires. At Shaffer Construction, we've replaced hundreds of these dangerous panels throughout Los Angeles, and we want every homeowner to understand the serious risks these panels pose and why immediate replacement is not just recommended—it's essential for your family's safety.

This comprehensive guide will explain what Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels are, why they're dangerous, how they affect your insurance and home value, and what the replacement process entails. If you suspect your home has one of these panels, don't wait for a failed home inspection or insurance denial to take action.

What Are Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Panels?

Federal Pacific Electric was a major manufacturer of electrical panels and circuit breakers from the 1950s through the 1980s. During this period, FPE panels were installed in millions of homes across the United States, with particularly heavy concentration in California, Florida, New Jersey, and other rapidly growing states. In Los Angeles, the post-war housing boom meant thousands of homes were equipped with FPE panels, particularly in neighborhoods developed during the 1960s and 1970s such as Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Northridge, and other San Fernando Valley communities.

These panels are most commonly identified by their distinctive "Stab-Lok" circuit breakers—a trademarked name that referred to the method by which the breakers connected to the electrical bus bars inside the panel. FPE panels typically feature circuit breakers with red or orange faceplates, and the breakers have a characteristic "stabbing" connection mechanism that clips onto flat bus bars rather than bolting on like modern breakers.

The company manufactured these panels until the mid-1980s, when Federal Pacific Electric ultimately went out of business amid mounting evidence of product defects and safety concerns. However, the company was never forced to recall its products, meaning millions of these panels remain in service today—including an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 homes in Los Angeles County alone.

The Federal Pacific Panel Problem: Why They're Dangerous

The fundamental problem with Federal Pacific panels is that their circuit breakers fail to perform their most basic safety function: tripping to stop the flow of electricity when a circuit becomes overloaded or experiences a short circuit. This failure exposes homes to serious fire risk, as overloaded circuits can overheat wiring, melt insulation, and ignite surrounding materials—all without the breaker shutting off power.

In the early 1980s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) conducted extensive testing of FPE Stab-Lok breakers and found that approximately 51 percent failed to trip during overload conditions. This means that in more than half of potentially dangerous electrical situations, these breakers would allow current to continue flowing, creating conditions ripe for electrical fires. While the CPSC ultimately closed its investigation in 1983 without issuing a recall—citing insufficient evidence to prove the panels posed a serious injury risk at the time—the agency never declared these panels safe, and subsequent independent research has been even more damning.

Dr. Jesse Aronstein, an electrical engineering expert who has studied FPE panels extensively, estimates that these defective panels may be responsible for approximately 2,800 fires, 13 deaths, and $40 million in property damage every year in the United States. His research revealed that FPE had engaged in deceptive testing practices to obtain UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification, essentially fooling safety inspectors into approving products that did not meet safety standards. UL subsequently withdrew its certification of Stab-Lok breakers.

The problems with FPE panels stem from several design and manufacturing defects. The breakers' internal mechanisms are prone to failure, particularly the thermal trip mechanism that's supposed to respond to sustained overcurrent conditions. The "stab" connection system creates poor electrical contact with the bus bars, leading to arcing, overheating, and sometimes breakers that appear to be in the "off" position but are still energized—an extremely dangerous condition. Over time and with thermal cycling (heating and cooling from normal use), these connections degrade further, increasing the failure risk as panels age.

For Los Angeles homeowners, the risk is compounded by several factors. Southern California's warm climate means air conditioning systems run frequently, placing sustained high loads on electrical systems. Many older LA homes have had additions, kitchen remodels, or other upgrades that increased electrical demand without upgrading the panel. And with the growing popularity of electric vehicle chargers, high-efficiency heat pump systems, and modern appliances, homes with FPE panels are being pushed beyond their safe operating limits.

What Are Zinsco Panels?

Zinsco was another major electrical panel manufacturer during roughly the same era as Federal Pacific, producing panels from the 1950s through the 1970s. These panels were manufactured under several brand names during the company's history, including Zinsco, Magnetrip (the trademark for their circuit breaker line), and later GTE-Sylvania and Sylvania after the company was acquired. Like FPE panels, Zinsco panels were extremely popular during California's mid-century housing boom and can be found in thousands of Los Angeles homes, particularly in areas developed during the 1950s through 1970s.

Zinsco panels are visually distinctive and relatively easy to identify. They feature colorful circuit breaker toggle switches—typically in pastel shades of red, green, blue, gray, and white—arranged in a single row. The panel cover or interior often bears the "Zinsco" or "Magnetrip" name, and the breakers have a unique design with deep slots that clip onto flat aluminum bus bars inside the panel. Many of these panels were installed in garages or on exterior walls, where they've been exposed to temperature extremes and, in coastal Los Angeles neighborhoods, salt air that accelerates corrosion.

While perhaps not as widely known as the Federal Pacific issue, Zinsco panels present equally serious—and in some ways more insidious—safety hazards that have led electrical safety experts to universally recommend their replacement.

The Zinsco Panel Problem: Aluminum Bus Bars and Breaker Fusion

The critical defect in Zinsco panels relates to their use of aluminum bus bars—the metal strips inside the panel that distribute electricity from the main service to individual circuit breakers. Zinsco used a specific type of aluminum alloy that is highly susceptible to oxidation, particularly when subjected to the electrical loads and thermal cycling that occur in normal panel operation.

When aluminum oxidizes, it forms a layer of aluminum oxide on the surface. Unlike the patina that forms on copper (which remains conductive), aluminum oxide is an electrical insulator. As this oxidized layer builds up on the bus bars, it creates increasing electrical resistance at the connection points between the bus bars and the circuit breakers. Higher resistance means higher heat generation, which accelerates the oxidation process in a dangerous feedback loop.

The most dangerous consequence of this oxidation is that circuit breakers can literally fuse to the bus bars. The combination of heat, oxidation, and the mechanical pressure from the breaker's clip connection causes the breaker to become permanently bonded to the bus bar. Once this occurs, the breaker cannot trip—even if the toggle switch is moved to the "off" position. Electricity continues to flow through the fused breaker, creating a situation where there is no way to shut off power to that circuit short of shutting off the main breaker or having the utility company disconnect service.

This means that if a short circuit or overload occurs on a circuit with a fused breaker, the breaker will not provide any protection. The circuit can overheat indefinitely, melting wire insulation and igniting surrounding materials. Worse, if a homeowner notices a problem and attempts to shut off the breaker, they may believe they've de-energized the circuit when in fact it remains live—creating a serious shock and fire hazard.

Testing has shown that Zinsco breakers fail to operate properly approximately 25 percent of the time—a failure rate that electrical safety experts consider completely unacceptable. The problem affects all Zinsco panels to some degree, and because the oxidation process is progressive and irreversible, the panels become more dangerous with age. For Los Angeles homeowners with Zinsco panels that have been in service for 40, 50, or even 60 years, the risk of breaker fusion and failure is extremely high.

Unlike with Federal Pacific panels, where the debate continues about whether every panel is dangerous, there is near-universal consensus among electrical safety experts that all Zinsco panels should be replaced due to the inherent aluminum bus bar design flaw. Shaffer Construction has never encountered a Zinsco panel during our inspections that we could recommend keeping in service—the risk is simply too great.

Insurance and Liability Issues with FPE and Zinsco Panels

Beyond the direct safety concerns, Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels create significant insurance and liability issues for Los Angeles homeowners. Insurance companies have become increasingly aware of the fire risks associated with these panels, and their underwriting policies have evolved accordingly—often to the detriment of homeowners who haven't yet replaced these hazardous panels.

Many major insurance carriers now refuse to issue new homeowners insurance policies on properties with known FPE or Zinsco panels. During the application process or when updating coverage, insurers may ask specifically about the electrical panel brand and age, or they may require a home inspection that will identify these panels. Once identified, you may face several scenarios: outright denial of coverage, coverage offered only with a policy exclusion stating the insurer will not pay claims related to electrical fires, or acceptance of coverage with significantly higher premiums to offset the increased risk.

For homeowners with existing insurance policies, the discovery of an FPE or Zinsco panel during a claim investigation can be catastrophic. If an electrical fire occurs and the investigation traces the cause to a known-defective Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, the insurance company may deny the claim entirely, arguing that the homeowner was negligent in maintaining a known hazard. Even if the fire wasn't directly caused by the panel, some policies have language that allows denial if the home contains equipment known to pose fire risks.

In California, insurance companies are required to provide written notice before canceling or non-renewing a policy, but once you receive such notice, you may find it extremely difficult to obtain replacement coverage at reasonable rates. With California's already challenging insurance market—particularly in wildfire-prone areas of Los Angeles County—having an FPE or Zinsco panel can make you essentially uninsurable, or force you into expensive surplus lines coverage.

From a liability standpoint, if you're aware that your home has one of these panels and don't replace it, you could face personal liability if a fire causes injury to family members, guests, or damages neighboring properties. In our increasingly litigious society, knowledge of a hazard combined with failure to remediate it can be seen as negligence, exposing you to civil liability beyond what insurance might cover.

At Shaffer Construction, we always advise our Los Angeles clients that panel replacement isn't just about safety—it's about protecting your financial interests and ensuring you can maintain affordable insurance coverage. The cost of panel replacement is modest compared to the potential consequences of insurance denial, claim rejection, or personal liability.

Home Sale Implications: How These Panels Affect Real Estate Transactions

If you're planning to sell your Los Angeles home, an FPE or Zinsco panel will almost certainly become an issue during the transaction—and not addressing it proactively can cost you money, delay the sale, or even cause deals to fall through entirely.

Nearly all home sales in California involve a professional home inspection, and any competent inspector will immediately flag a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel as a significant safety concern in their report. The inspection report will typically recommend immediate replacement by a licensed electrician, often using language like "safety hazard," "known fire risk," or "does not meet current safety standards." Even though these panels may be grandfathered in under building codes (meaning they were legal when installed and don't technically violate code), they fail the inspection from a safety standpoint.

Once the buyer receives this inspection report, several things typically happen. First, the buyer will often request that the seller replace the panel as a condition of closing. This is a reasonable request given the documented safety issues, and most buyers' agents will insist on it. If you as the seller refuse, the buyer may cancel the transaction—a right they typically have during the inspection contingency period. Even if the buyer proceeds, they will almost certainly negotiate a price reduction to cover the cost of panel replacement plus a buffer for the inconvenience and disruption of having electrical work done after moving in.

The financial impact of not addressing the panel before listing can be significant. If you proactively replace an FPE or Zinsco panel before putting your home on the market, you control the timing, can get competitive bids from electricians, and can complete the work without the pressure of a pending sale deadline. If you wait for the inspection to reveal the issue, you'll be negotiating from a position of weakness, likely accepting whatever price reduction the buyer demands, which often exceeds the actual cost of replacement. Additionally, a clean inspection report with no major safety concerns makes your home more marketable and can lead to faster sale at a better price.

There's also the issue of buyer financing. Mortgage lenders are increasingly aware of FPE and Zinsco panel risks, and some will require panel replacement as a condition of loan approval. This means that even if a buyer is willing to purchase your home with a known-defective panel, their lender may not allow it, potentially killing the deal or requiring you to escrow funds for replacement—adding complexity and risk to the transaction.

For Los Angeles homeowners, where median home values are high and real estate markets can be competitive, maintaining your home's marketability is essential. A $3,000 to $5,000 investment in panel replacement can easily return $10,000 or more in avoided price reductions and can mean the difference between a smooth 30-day escrow and a deal that drags on for months or falls apart entirely.

Identifying Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panels in Your Los Angeles Home

If you're unsure whether your home has one of these dangerous panels, identification is relatively straightforward if you know what to look for. However, we always recommend having a professional electrician verify, as some panels can be misleading or have been modified over the years.

Identifying Federal Pacific (FPE) Panels:

Open your electrical panel door (not the inner panel cover—never remove that without shutting off power and having proper training) and look for these telltale signs. The panel label will typically say "Federal Pacific Electric," "FPE," or "Federal Pacific" somewhere on the panel door or interior label. The circuit breakers will be branded "Stab-Lok"—this is the key identifier. FPE breakers have distinctive red or orange faceplates with the breaker switches typically in a double-row configuration. The overall appearance is relatively utilitarian compared to modern panels, with a somewhat dated 1960s-70s aesthetic. Common locations in Los Angeles homes include garages, basements (less common in LA), utility rooms, or exterior walls.

Identifying Zinsco Panels:

Zinsco panels are even easier to identify due to their distinctive colorful breakers. Look for the "Zinsco," "Magnetrip," "GTE-Sylvania," or "Sylvania" name on the panel label. The dead giveaway is the circuit breaker colors: pastel shades of red, green, blue, gray, and white toggle switches, typically arranged in a single row down the center of the panel. The breakers have a very different appearance from modern breakers, with colored plastic toggles that look almost like they belong in a 1950s appliance. If you open the panel door and see colorful breakers, it's almost certainly a Zinsco. These panels were often mounted in garages or on exterior walls in Los Angeles homes, particularly those built in the 1950s through early 1970s.

If you identify either of these panel types in your home, don't panic, but do take action. The panel has likely been functioning for decades, and while the risk is real, it's not an immediate "house is about to burn down this second" emergency in most cases. However, you should schedule a professional electrical inspection with Shaffer Construction as soon as possible to assess the panel's condition and discuss replacement options. In the meantime, be aware of warning signs like breakers that are warm to the touch, burning smells near the panel, flickering lights, or breakers that trip frequently—any of these warrant immediate professional attention. For more information on general electrical safety, read our guide on home electrical safety tips.

The Panel Replacement Process in Los Angeles

Replacing a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel is a straightforward process when handled by experienced professionals like the team at Shaffer Construction. Understanding what the process entails can help you feel more comfortable moving forward with this essential safety upgrade.

Step 1: Professional Electrical Inspection and Assessment

The process begins with a comprehensive electrical inspection of your home. Our licensed electricians will examine not just the panel itself, but your entire electrical system, including the service entrance equipment, main disconnect, grounding system, and the condition of visible wiring. We'll perform a load calculation to determine what size panel your home needs based on current and anticipated future electrical demand. For many Los Angeles homes, this is an opportunity to upgrade from an old 100-amp panel to a modern 200-amp panel that can support electric vehicle chargers, solar panels, modern appliances, and other high-demand equipment.

Step 2: Design and Permit Application

All electrical panel replacements in Los Angeles require a permit from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). This isn't optional, and working with a licensed contractor like Shaffer Construction ensures permits are pulled properly. We'll prepare the necessary documentation, including electrical plans and load calculations, and submit the permit application on your behalf. Permit approval typically takes one to two weeks, though timelines can vary depending on LADBS workload. The permit fee generally ranges from $200 to $500 depending on the scope of work. While some homeowners worry about permits, they're actually your protection—ensuring the work is inspected by city officials and meets all current code requirements.

Step 3: Coordination with LADWP

In some cases, particularly when upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service or higher, we'll need to coordinate with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to upgrade your service entrance equipment and meter. LADWP needs to disconnect power temporarily during the panel replacement, and if a service upgrade is required, they may need to install a new meter base or upgrade the service drop from the street. This coordination typically adds one to three weeks to the timeline but is handled entirely by Shaffer Construction on your behalf. In many cases, LADWP doesn't charge for the first service upgrade, though there may be fees for extensive service line work.

Step 4: Panel Replacement Installation

On installation day, our electricians will arrive with all necessary materials, including your new electrical panel, circuit breakers, and any required service entrance equipment. LADWP will disconnect power at the meter (your home will be without electricity during the installation, typically 4 to 8 hours). We'll remove the old FPE or Zinsco panel, install the new panel, transfer all circuits to new breakers, ensure proper grounding and bonding, and verify all connections. Modern panels include important safety features like AFCI and GFCI protection for required circuits, arc-fault detection, and higher-quality breakers with better trip reliability. We'll also label all circuits clearly so you know exactly what each breaker controls.

Step 5: Inspection and Final Approval

After installation is complete, a LADBS electrical inspector will visit your home to verify the work meets all code requirements. We'll schedule this inspection and be present to answer any questions. The inspector will check the panel installation, verify proper sizing and protection, ensure correct grounding and bonding, and confirm all work matches the permitted plans. Once the inspector approves the work and signs off on the permit, you'll receive documentation proving your electrical system has been upgraded to current safety standards—valuable documentation for insurance, home sales, and your own peace of mind.

The entire process from initial inspection to final sign-off typically takes three to five weeks, with most of that time being permit processing and scheduling rather than actual work. The physical installation is usually completed in one day, and we work efficiently to minimize the disruption to your home and schedule. For more details on the general panel upgrade process, read our comprehensive guide on why upgrading your electrical panel is crucial for Los Angeles homes.

Cost to Replace Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panels in Los Angeles

One of the most common questions we receive at Shaffer Construction is, "How much will it cost to replace my FPE or Zinsco panel?" While every home is different, we can provide general cost ranges and explain the factors that affect pricing.

For a straightforward panel replacement—swapping an existing FPE or Zinsco panel with a modern equivalent without upgrading the service size—typical costs in Los Angeles range from $2,500 to $4,000. This includes the new panel and breakers, labor, permit fees, LADWP coordination, and final inspection. This assumes the existing service entrance equipment is in good condition and doesn't need replacement, the panel is reasonably accessible (not buried behind finished walls or in a tight crawl space), and no major electrical code violations exist that require correction.

If your home needs a service upgrade—for example, replacing a 100-amp panel with a 200-amp panel to support modern electrical loads—costs typically range from $3,500 to $6,000 or more. The additional cost covers the heavier-gauge service entrance conductors required for higher amperage, upgraded meter base and service entrance equipment, additional LADWP coordination and fees for service changes, and potential trenching or conduit work if service entrance routing needs to change. While more expensive, service upgrades are often worthwhile as they future-proof your home for electric vehicle chargers, solar panel systems, heat pumps, and other modern equipment that requires robust electrical service.

Several factors can increase costs beyond these ranges. Difficult accessibility—such as panels located in finished spaces requiring drywall repair, or panels in tight crawl spaces—increases labor time. If the existing panel location doesn't meet current code (such as insufficient working clearance), we may need to relocate the panel, adding materials and labor costs. Homes with many circuits (20 or more) require larger panels and more breakers, increasing equipment costs. If we discover outdated or unsafe wiring during the inspection, such as aluminum wiring, ungrounded circuits, or cloth-insulated wiring, these issues should be addressed during the panel replacement, adding to the project scope. Some homes may need upgraded grounding systems to meet current code, such as installation of ground rods or connection to the water main ground.

While these costs might seem significant, consider them in context. The investment is small compared to the potential cost of an electrical fire, which can easily cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and potentially catastrophic loss of life. Insurance deductibles alone typically exceed the cost of panel replacement, and that assumes your claim isn't denied due to the known-defective panel. If you're planning to sell your home, panel replacement prevents price negotiations that often exceed the actual replacement cost. Many insurance companies offer premium reductions for homes with updated electrical panels, potentially offsetting some cost over time. And perhaps most importantly, you gain invaluable peace of mind knowing your family is protected by a safe, modern electrical system that meets all current safety standards.

At Shaffer Construction, we provide transparent, detailed estimates that break down all costs so you understand exactly what you're paying for. We're happy to discuss financing options for homeowners who need to spread the investment over time, and we can often schedule the work to align with your budget and timeline.

Why You Shouldn't Wait to Replace Your FPE or Zinsco Panel

We understand that panel replacement is an unplanned expense and a disruption to your routine. It's tempting to adopt a "wait and see" approach, especially if your panel has been working fine for decades. However, there are compelling reasons to prioritize this safety upgrade and not delay.

First and foremost, these panels become more dangerous with age, not less. The oxidation, connection degradation, and mechanical wear that cause FPE and Zinsco panels to fail are progressive processes that worsen over time. A panel that's been functioning adequately for 40 years is more likely to fail tomorrow than it was 20 years ago. Unlike many home maintenance issues where deterioration is gradual and visible, electrical panel failure can be sudden and catastrophic, with no warning signs before a fire starts.

Your insurance coverage is at risk right now if you have one of these panels. Even if your current insurer hasn't discovered it yet, your next policy renewal, any claim you file, or any inspection required for refinancing could reveal the panel and trigger coverage issues. Once an insurer knows about an FPE or Zinsco panel and documents it in their system, that information often follows you even if you change carriers, making it progressively harder to obtain affordable coverage the longer you wait.

If you're planning to sell your home within the next several years, panel replacement should be done well before listing. Completing the work on your schedule and budget is far preferable to negotiating under the pressure of a pending sale. Plus, the work needs time to "age in"—a panel replaced six months before sale looks like routine maintenance; a panel replaced one week before listing can raise buyer suspicions that you're only fixing what you absolutely had to fix, leading them to wonder what else might be wrong with the home.

The Los Angeles housing market can change quickly, and you want your home to be sale-ready if circumstances change. Job relocations, family situations, or market opportunities don't wait for convenient timing. Having an updated, safe electrical panel means you can list your home whenever it makes sense for you, rather than being forced to delay for electrical work or accept a reduced price.

For Los Angeles homeowners considering electric vehicles, solar panels, or other high-demand electrical equipment, an FPE or Zinsco panel is a complete non-starter. These panels can't safely support modern loads, and no reputable electrician will install an EV charger or solar system with a defective panel. If you're planning any of these upgrades, panel replacement needs to happen first—so why not address it now rather than being forced to do so later?

Perhaps most importantly, your family's safety shouldn't be a calculated risk. While the probability of fire on any given day is relatively low, the consequences of that low-probability event are catastrophic. The stress of living with a known fire hazard, even if you're not consciously thinking about it daily, takes a psychological toll. Panel replacement eliminates that risk and provides genuine peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About FPE and Zinsco Panel Replacement

Can I just replace the breakers instead of the whole panel?

Unfortunately, no. While replacement breakers for FPE panels are technically available, installing new breakers doesn't solve the fundamental design defects in the panel itself, including the faulty bus bar connections and panel construction issues. For Zinsco panels, the aluminum bus bar oxidation problem can't be fixed by replacing breakers—the bus bars themselves are the issue. Additionally, installing any breakers in these defective panels perpetuates the safety risk and doesn't address insurance or home sale concerns. The only proper solution is complete panel replacement with modern equipment from reputable manufacturers like Square D, Siemens, or Eaton. The cost difference between replacing breakers and replacing the entire panel is minimal, and only full panel replacement provides true safety and peace of mind.

Are all Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels dangerous, or just some of them?

While individual panels may vary in their degree of deterioration, the fundamental design defects affect all FPE Stab-Lok panels and all Zinsco panels. Testing has shown these aren't isolated manufacturing defects affecting only certain production runs—they're inherent design flaws present in all units. Some panels may function adequately for decades while others fail sooner, but there's no way to determine which category your specific panel falls into without destructive testing. Electrical safety experts and organizations universally recommend replacement of all FPE and Zinsco panels regardless of apparent condition. Given the documented failure rates and fire risks, treating these panels as potentially dangerous is the only prudent approach. At Shaffer Construction, we've never inspected an FPE or Zinsco panel that we felt comfortable recommending remain in service.

Will my homeowners insurance pay for panel replacement?

Typically, no. Homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental damage, not maintenance or safety upgrades. Panel replacement is considered a maintenance responsibility of homeownership, similar to replacing a roof or water heater. However, some insurance companies offer modest credits or rebates for safety upgrades, particularly if the upgrade reduces your premium. It's worth calling your insurance agent to ask about any available programs. Additionally, if your insurer requires panel replacement as a condition of continued coverage or as a condition of removing a coverage exclusion, they may have partnerships with contractors or financing programs to help make the upgrade more affordable. Some homeowners have had success claiming panel replacement as part of a larger electrical repair covered by insurance, though this is uncommon. The investment in panel replacement is best viewed as essential home maintenance that protects your insurability rather than an insured event itself.

How long does the panel replacement process take?

The physical installation work typically takes one day—usually six to eight hours during which your home will be without power. However, the complete process from initial inspection to final sign-off takes longer. Professional electrical inspection and assessment can usually be scheduled within a few days. Permit application and approval with LADBS typically takes one to two weeks. LADWP coordination for power disconnect may add one to two weeks, depending on their schedule and whether service upgrade work is needed. After installation, the final inspection is usually completed within one week. Total timeline from decision to completion is typically three to five weeks. At Shaffer Construction, we handle all the scheduling and coordination, keeping you informed at each step. The actual disruption to your daily life is minimal—just the one day when power is off during installation, which we schedule at your convenience.

Can I sell my home without replacing a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?

Legally, yes—these panels are grandfathered in and don't technically violate building code. However, practically speaking, selling with one of these panels will almost certainly cost you money and complicate the transaction. Any professional home inspection will flag the panel as a major safety concern, leading buyers to request replacement or demand price reductions that typically exceed the actual replacement cost. Some buyers will simply walk away rather than deal with the issue, limiting your buyer pool. Buyer financing may be difficult or impossible to obtain if lenders identify the panel as a fire risk. You'll be required to disclose the panel's presence and known safety issues to potential buyers, and failure to do so could expose you to legal liability. While you can technically sell with the panel in place, you'll almost certainly get a better price and faster sale by replacing it first. The investment in replacement typically returns multiples in avoided price reductions and increased marketability.

What if I can't afford to replace my panel right now?

We understand that panel replacement is an unplanned expense, and Shaffer Construction works with homeowners to find solutions. Many homeowners finance the work through home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or personal loans, spreading the cost over time. Some contractors, including Shaffer Construction, offer payment plans or financing options that allow you to pay over 12, 24, or 36 months. If you have family members or other stakeholders in the property, consider whether they might contribute to a safety upgrade that protects their interests as well. In the short term, you can reduce electrical load on the panel by avoiding running multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously, which may reduce fire risk marginally, though it doesn't solve the fundamental defect. You might prioritize replacing the panel before other home improvement projects—this is truly a safety-critical upgrade that should take precedence over cosmetic improvements. Whatever your financial situation, don't simply ignore the issue. Contact us to discuss options—we'd rather work with you to find an affordable solution than see a family deal with the consequences of panel failure.

Trust Shaffer Construction for Your Los Angeles Panel Replacement

At Shaffer Construction, we've built our reputation over years of serving Los Angeles homeowners with honest, professional electrical services. We've replaced hundreds of Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels throughout Los Angeles County, from Malibu to Pasadena and everywhere in between. Our team of licensed, insured electricians has the experience and expertise to handle your panel replacement efficiently and safely.

When you choose Shaffer Construction, you get comprehensive service from start to finish. We handle all permit applications and coordination with city inspectors, manage all LADWP scheduling and communication, provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees, complete installations efficiently with minimal disruption to your home, ensure all work meets or exceeds current electrical code requirements, and provide documentation for insurance and future home sales. Our electricians arrive on time, work cleanly, and treat your home with respect. We take the time to answer all your questions and explain exactly what we're doing and why.

Most importantly, we stand behind our work with solid warranties and a commitment to your satisfaction. Panel replacement is too important to trust to unlicensed handymen or the lowest bidder. Your family's safety deserves the professionalism and expertise that Shaffer Construction provides.

Schedule Your Electrical Panel Inspection Today

If your Los Angeles home has a Federal Pacific or Zinsco electrical panel, the time to act is now. Don't wait for an insurance denial, a failed home inspection, or worse—an electrical fire—to address this serious safety hazard. The team at Shaffer Construction is ready to help you protect your home, your family, and your investment with professional panel replacement services.

Contact Shaffer Construction today at 323-642-8509 to schedule a comprehensive electrical panel inspection. Our licensed electricians will assess your current panel, explain your options, and provide a detailed estimate for replacement. We'll answer all your questions and help you understand the process from start to finish. You can also email us at hello@shaffercon.com or visit www.shaffercon.com to learn more about our comprehensive electrical services throughout Los Angeles.

Don't gamble with your family's safety or your home's value. Let Shaffer Construction replace your dangerous Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel with a modern, safe electrical system that will provide reliable service and peace of mind for decades to come. We're here to help Los Angeles homeowners make their homes safer, one panel replacement at a time. For more information about electrical panel upgrades, visit our residential electrical panel upgrades service page, or learn more about our electrical safety inspection services.