By Artur M., Service expert Reading office
Job at a glance
- Location
- Reading, PA
- Service
- Panel Replacement
- When
- September 2026
- Service expert
- Artur M.
- Called about
- outlets that had stopped working
- Service size
- 100 amp
- Panel brand
- Siemens
- Visits
- 2
- Options offered
- 5
- Inspection
- Passed
What this type of job typically costs
$7,825 to $13,750
Panel replacement, everything on the job
From 851 jobs we completed in the last 18 months.
The middle half of what our clients paid for this type of job across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, everything on the job before discounts, refreshed every month. A licensed service expert sees your home and gives a written price before any work starts.
Range updated November 9, 2026.
About this service →A Reading, Pennsylvania homeowner contacted Thomas Edison Electric after several outlets in the home stopped working. The client, a new homeowner, also wanted to address exposed wiring in the basement and upgrade outlets throughout the house.
The client's problem
The client noticed that multiple outlets had stopped working and discovered exposed wiring in the basement that needed to be properly enclosed. A field inspection report had also flagged concerns about the electrical system needing GFCI protection.
What our service expert found
During the walkthrough, the service expert found that the work inside the existing panel had not been done properly. The improper panel work, combined with the exposed basement wiring and lack of GFCI protection in key areas, presented safety concerns that warranted a full panel replacement rather than simple repairs.
Options we presented
The service expert presented several approaches ranging from junction box installation with GFCI protection to full panel replacement packages with varying levels of surge protection and grounding upgrades.
Panel replacement with meter combo disconnect with surge protection and grounding
Panel replacement with surge protection and grounding
Panel replacement with surge protection and grounding and junction box installation with GFCI protection
Junction box installation and GFCI protection
100 Amp 30-Space Siemens Panel & Meter with Surge Protection (the client chose this one)
The solution
The client chose a 100 amp 30 space Siemens panel and meter combination with surge protection. The team installed the new panel with a PVC service mast and outdoor disconnect, added a full grounding system, and installed five junction boxes in the basement to properly enclose the open connections. They also added GFCI protection to the kitchen outlet, bathroom outlet, and basement outlets, completing the work over two visits with a required inspection.
Work performed
Installed 30 space 100 amp Siemens main breaker panel with new meter base
Replaced service mast with PVC conduit and outdoor disconnect
Added full grounding system
Installed 50kA surge protective device at service entrance
Installed five metal junction boxes in basement for open connections
Added GFCI protection to kitchen, bathroom, and basement outlets
Installed combination switch and GFCI outlet
What we installed
- Siemens BR 15 Amp Single Pole Breaker× 10
- Siemens BR Q120 20 Amp Single Pole Breaker× 10
- Siemens BR 20 Amp 2 Pole Breaker
- Siemens BR 30 Amp 2 Pole Breaker
- Siemens BR 50 Amp 6 AWG 2 Pole Breaker
- Nipple 1 and 2" Rigid Conduit Offset
- RACO 192, 1900 Box 1-1 and 2D - 1 and 2-3 and 4KO Raised Grnd
- RACO 808C, 1900 GFCI Cover
- Eaton TRGF15W 15 Amp 125 VAC GFCI Tamper-Resistant White Outlet
- Mast and Service Entrance Head 100A SEU PVC660 TOP727 Plastic
- AL SEU 1 and 0-1 and 0-1 and 0 Price Per Foot× 20
- Acorn Clamp 5 and 8 Acorn Direct Burial Bronze Ground Rod Clamp× 2
Why pricing varies
No two homes are wired the same. On this job, the price came down to:
- Service size and whether the main breaker rating changes
- Condition of the existing enclosure, bus bars and breakers
- Grounding and bonding that must be brought up to current code at the same time
- Service entrance conductors and the meter can, when they are part of the scope
- Utility coordination and permit requirements in the jurisdiction
- Surge, AFCI and GFCI protection added during the changeout
- Panel brand and breaker selection
- Accessibility of the panel location and any drywall or masonry work around it
- Code corrections found once the deadfront is off
A service expert prices your job after seeing it, and you approve the price before any work starts.
Why it matters in Reading
Older homes in Reading and throughout Berks County often have electrical systems that were installed before modern safety standards required GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Exposed wiring and improperly installed panels can create fire hazards and shock risks that may go unnoticed until an inspection or outlet failure reveals the problem. Addressing these issues with a proper panel upgrade and code compliant wiring protects both the home and its occupants.
Common questions
Why would a panel need to be replaced instead of just fixing the outlets?
When the work inside a panel was not done properly, repairs may not address underlying safety issues. A full replacement ensures all connections meet current standards and provides a reliable foundation for the entire electrical system.
What is the purpose of junction boxes for exposed wiring?
Junction boxes enclose wire connections to protect them from damage and prevent accidental contact. They also contain any sparks or heat that could occur at connection points, reducing fire risk.
Where should GFCI outlets be installed in a home?
GFCI outlets are required in areas where water is present, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages, and outdoor locations. These outlets quickly shut off power if they detect current flowing through an unintended path, helping prevent electrical shock.
What does a surge protective device do at the electrical panel?
A surge protective device installed at the panel helps shield your home's electrical system and connected devices from voltage spikes caused by lightning, utility switching, or other events. It provides whole house protection that complements plug in surge protectors.
Project photos
The service expert on this job
Artur M.
Service expert
Artur is a service expert with Thomas Edison Electric. He has completed more than 1,100 jobs for clients in Bucks, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. His most common calls are lighting and ceiling fans, outlets and switches, troubleshooting and panel upgrades.
More about Artur →Reviewed by a licensed Thomas Edison Electric service expert on November 6, 2026.
Where this job was
Reading, Pennsylvania, in Berks. Electrical service in Reading
Related
- More panel upgrade case studies
- Panel Replacement: how we do this job
- More jobs from the Reading office
- Electrical service in Reading
- 200 Amp Panel and Service Upgrade in Feasterville Trevose, PA
- 200 Amp Panel and Service Upgrade in Conshohocken, PA
- More jobs by Artur M.
- Our electrical services
- Contact Thomas Edison Electric
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