Panel Upgrades in Delta: How Long, How Loud, How Much? (Homeowner Q&A)
- akaielectricltd
- Dec 13, 2025
- 4 min read
This 2026 homeowner Q&A explains what to expect when upgrading an electrical panel or service in the City of Delta. It focuses on timelines, noise and disruption, cost drivers, and the permit and inspection flow that is specific to Delta, where Technical Safety BC handles electrical permitting and inspections.
Quick answer:
Most panel changeouts take 1 day onsite, with the main power off for 2 to 6 hours. Service upgrades that involve BC Hydro work or trenching usually span 1 to 3 weeks end to end, depending on scheduling.
Noise is similar to a small indoor renovation. Expect drilling and fastening indoors. If you convert to underground service, exterior coring or trenching is the loud part.
In Delta, electrical permits and inspections are administered by Technical Safety BC. Your contractor applies to TSBC, then books rough-in and final inspections around BC Hydro’s schedule if the service point is changing.
Costs depend on service size, meter location, overhead versus underground, breaker count, and any finish repairs. A formal load calculation keeps the scope tight and helps decide between 100 A, 125 A, 150 A, or 200 A.
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At-a-glance: timeline, noise, and cost drivers in Delta
Topic | What to expect | Why it varies | How to keep it smooth |
How long | Panel-only swaps: 1 day onsite. Service upgrades: 1–3 weeks overall | TSBC inspection windows, BC Hydro coordination, meter relocation, overhead vs underground | Submit a complete TSBC permit, pre-book inspections, and align with BC Hydro early |
How loud | Interior drilling and fastening; exterior coring or trenching if underground | Wall type, meter move, trench route | Protect valuables, plan for pets, notify neighbors or strata |
How much | Scales with service size, meter move, underground work, breaker count, AFCI/GFCI updates, surge device | Equipment specs and civil work are the big drivers | Use a load calc to avoid oversizing; reuse viable pathways; bundle other circuit work in one permit |
Power off | Typically 2–6 hours on upgrade day | Scope and inspection timing | Plan refrigerators, work-from-home, and medical devices accordingly |
Permits & inspections | Technical Safety BC permit, rough-in and final inspections | Utility steps added if the service point or meter base changes | Provide panel schedules, labels, and as-builts for fast sign-off |
Who qualifies in 2025
Detached homes, duplexes, and row homes in Delta that need capacity for EV chargers, heat pumps, suites, or kitchen and laundry circuits.
Owners replacing aging or crowded panels for safety or insurance.
Properties converting from overhead to underground service or relocating the meter to meet access rules.
Dates, deadlines, and coordination tips
Apply to Technical Safety BC for the electrical installation permit before work begins. Keep the permit number and inspection approvals with your home records.
If you relocate the meter or convert to underground, coordinate early with BC Hydro. Their connection and trench standards govern conduit size, depth, clearances, and pull strings.
Label the new panel with service rating and an updated panel schedule. Inspectors will check labels, AFCI/GFCI protection, and equipment listings.
Stacking and special cases
EV load management vs upsizing. If the load calculation is borderline, an EV Energy Management System can often keep a 100 A or 125 A service viable while you charge overnight. Revisit 200 A when adding a second EV or a heat pump.
Secondary suites. Suites can trigger added requirements for smoke and CO alarms, GFCI/AFCI protection, and sometimes metering changes.
Tight lots and meter access. Exterior access rules can force a meter move. Budget for siding or wall repair and a compliant working-clearance layout.
How to proceed in 3 steps
For homeowners
Start with a load calculation and site review to choose the right service size and confirm if underground conversion is required.
Lock the scope: panel rating, meter location, overhead vs underground route, and any EV or renovation circuits to include now.
Your contractor will pull the TSBC permit, install, and coordinate TSBC inspections and any BC Hydro work. Expect a single-day outage window for the panel swap.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a typical panel upgrade cost in Delta
Budgets scale with service size and civil work. A like-for-like panel change is the least expensive. Moving the meter or converting to underground adds conduit, coring, or trenching and is often the largest cost component. A load calculation and confirmed meter location tighten the estimate.
How long will my power be off
Most upgrades require 2 to 6 hours without power on installation day. If BC Hydro needs to work at the service point, the outage window is scheduled in advance.
Will it be noisy
Indoors, noise is comparable to other small renos. Exterior coring or trenching for underground service is louder and may require brief access along side yards or driveways. Let neighbors or your strata know your upgrade date.
Do I get my permit from the City of Delta
Electrical permits and inspections are administered by Technical Safety BC. Your contractor applies through TSBC and books inspections through their system.
What about homeowner permits
Technical Safety BC offers homeowner permits with eligibility limits. For service and panel upgrades, most homeowners use a licensed contractor to manage permits, BC Hydro coordination, and inspections.
Do I need to coordinate with BC Hydro
Only when the service point or meter base changes, or when converting to underground. Your contractor will follow BC Hydro’s trenching and clearance standards and book the utility work.
Make it easy with Akai Electric
We design and install code-compliant panel and service upgrades across Delta. From sizing and metering to trenching and TSBC inspections, we handle the details so you get capacity without surprises.
Get a same-week assessment
Sources
Topic or claim | Official source |
City of Delta directs electrical permits and records to Technical Safety BC | |
Technical Safety BC electrical installation permits and inspection process | |
Technical Safety BC homeowner permits overview and eligibility | |
Technical Safety BC jurisdiction overview | |
BC Hydro overhead and underground service connection standards and trench requirements |
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