Electrical Service Upgrade & Meter Replacement in West Palm Beach, FL
The equipment on the outside wall of your home, including the meter can, riser, and service every bientrance cable, carries t of power your house uses. In South Florida, salt air, sun, and hurricane winds wear that equipment down faster than almost anywhere else. When it corrodes, burns, or can no longer handle your home's demand, you need an electrical service upgrade. Nassif Electric has handled meter can replacement and service upgrades across West Palm Beach since 1976. As a Florida statewide licensed unlimited electrical contractor (License EC13001410), we handle the permit, the inspection, and the coordination with FPL, so your power is restored safely and to code. Every job includes a free electrical safety inspection. Did FPL disconnect your power or leave a hazard notice? Call 561-582-2600. We offer 24/7 emergency service.
What Is an Electrical Service Upgrade?
Your “electrical service” is everything that brings utility power into your home, up to and including the main disconnect. An electrical service upgrade replaces or increases the capacity of those parts. Electricians and utilities sometimes call it a “heavy up.” A service entrance upgrade can include:
Component | What it does | Who owns it (FPL area) |
Meter | Measures your electricity use | FPL |
Service drop / underground lateral | Utility wires from the pole or transformer to your home | FPL |
Weatherhead, mast / riser | Brings overhead wires down the wall to the meter | Homeowner |
Meter can (meter base / socket) | The box the meter plugs into | Homeowner |
Service entrance conductors | Cables from the meter can to the main panel | Homeowner |
Main disconnect & panel | Shuts off and distributes power in the home | Homeowner |
Grounding electrode system | Ground rods and conductors that keep the system safe | Homeowner |
FPL states that homeowners own and are responsible for the electrical equipment attached to the house, including the service stack, attachment hardware, riser, and meter box. Repairs to those parts must be made by a licensed electrician.
Our Meter & Service Upgrade Services
Meter Can (Meter Base) Replacement
We replace rusted, burned, or damaged meter cans, including sockets with loose or scorched jaws, and install modern, FPL-approved meter bases. This includes meter-main combination units that have a built-in main breaker.
Meter Upgrade for Higher Amperage
If you’re moving from 100 or 150 amps to 200 amps or more, your meter base has to be rated for the new service. We size and install the correct meter socket as part of the upgrade. For the panel side of the job, see our [200 amp panel upgrade] page.
Service Entrance, Mast & Weatherhead Repair
We replace damaged risers, masts, weatherheads, and service entrance cables. These are common problems after storms, falling branches, or years of UV exposure.
320/400 Amp Service Upgrades
Larger homes with several AC units, a pool and spa, EV chargers, or a whole-home generator may need more than 200 amps. After a load calculation, we design and install higher-capacity services.
Storm Damage & FPL Hazard Repairs
When FPL finds a hazard on customer-owned equipment, it can disconnect power until a licensed electrician makes repairs. We respond quickly, complete the repair to code, and coordinate with FPL so your power can be restored.
Signs Your Meter Needs Replacing
⦁ Rust, corrosion, or holes in the meter can, which is very common near the coast
⦁ Scorch marks, melted plastic, or a burning smell at the meter
⦁ Flickering or dimming lights throughout the house, which can point to a loose connection at the meter jaws or lugs
⦁ A leaning or pulled-away mast, or a damaged weatherhead after a storm
⦁ Cracked or sun-damaged service entrance cable insulation
⦁ An FPL hazard notice, a 20-day non-standard equipment letter, or a disconnected service
⦁ A home still on 60–150 amp service that needs more capacity for AC, an EV charger, a pool, or a generator
⦁ An insurance or 4-point inspection that flags the electrical service
If you see sparking or smell burning at the meter, stay away from it and call FPL and a licensed electrician right away.
How Much Does an Electrical Service Upgrade Cost?
Costs depend on how much of the service needs replacing. For planning, here are typical ranges in the West Palm Beach area:
Meter / service job | Typical range* |
Meter can (meter base) replacement, same amperage | $800 – $2,000 |
Meter can + riser / mast / weatherhead replacement | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Service entrance cable replacement | $800 – $2,500 |
Full electrical service upgrade to 200 amps (meter + service entrance + panel) | $3,000 – $6,000 |
320/400 amp service upgrade | $6,000 – $12,000+ |
Overhead-to-underground conversion | Quoted after site review (utility charges may apply) |
What affects meter box replacement cost:
- Amperage and type of meter base (standard socket vs. meter-main combo)
- Whether the riser, mast, weatherhead, or service cable also needs replacing
- Overhead vs. underground service, and wall type (block, stucco, or frame)
- Grounding corrections required by current code
- Permit fees and FPL disconnect/reconnect scheduling
- Emergency or after-hours response
Eligible FPL customers may qualify for help with repair costs through FPL’s Care To Share program. Check with FPL for current eligibility.
Our Service Upgrade Process
- Inspection & load calculation: We check the meter can, riser, service conductors, grounding, and panel, and confirm the right service size for your home.
- Written estimate: You get a clear, itemized quote before any work starts.
- Permit & FPL coordination: We pull the electrical permit and schedule the utility disconnect.
- Replacement: Once FPL removes the meter and power is off, we install the new meter base, service entrance cable, mast or riser, and grounding as needed.
- Inspection & reconnection: The building department inspects the work, and FPL reinstalls the meter and restores power.
- Final testing: We verify voltage and connections and make sure your home is running safely.
Most meter can replacements are finished in one day, and a full service upgrade usually takes a day as well. The overall timeline depends on permit approval and FPL’s reconnection schedule, which we manage for you.
Why Choose Nassif Electric
⦁ Since 1976: 50 years of residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work in South Florida
⦁ Florida statewide licensed unlimited electrical contractor: License EC13001410
⦁ Licensed, insured & bonded
⦁ Permits, inspections & FPL coordination all handled by us
⦁ 24/7 emergency response for storm damage and hazardous meter conditions
⦁ Free electrical safety inspection with every service upgrade
Need work inside the house too? See our [electrical panel upgrades] overview or our [electrical panel replacement] page. If you’re planning backup power, visit our [Generator Sales & Service] page.
Areas We Serve
We provide electrical service upgrades and meter can replacement throughout West Palm Beach and South Florida, from Juno Beach to Fort Lauderdale. Our service area includes Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Jupiter, Riviera Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton.
Schedule Your Electrical Service Upgrade
Whether your meter can is rusted through, a storm damaged your mast, or your home needs more power, Nassif Electric will repair or upgrade your service safely, with the permit, inspection, and FPL coordination included.
Call 561-582-2600 or email info@nassifelectric.com to book your free electrical safety inspection and get a written estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
In FPL’s service area, the homeowner owns the meter box (meter can) and the equipment attached to the house, such as the riser and service stack. FPL owns the meter itself and the utility lines. A licensed electrician must repair or replace homeowner-owned equipment.
A same-amperage meter can replacement usually costs about $800 to $2,000 in the West Palm Beach area. The price goes up if the riser, mast, or service cable also needs work, or if the meter base is part of a larger service upgrade.
It means replacing or increasing the capacity of the equipment that brings power into your home. That typically includes the meter base, service entrance cables, grounding, and main panel, and often raises the service from 100 to 200 amps or more.
The meter itself belongs to FPL, so FPL handles it. The meter can, riser, and service cables belong to the homeowner, so repairing or replacing those is the homeowner’s cost. Eligible customers may get help through FPL’s Care To Share program.
Many meter bases last several decades, but coastal humidity, salt air, and heat can cause corrosion much sooner in South Florida. Have an electrician inspect any meter can that shows rust, heat marks, or loose parts.
Hire a licensed electrician to make the repair and get any required permit. The electrician then contacts FPL so power can be safely restored. Nassif Electric handles this process from start to finish.
For most meter can replacements and service upgrades, power is off for part of one day. Reconnection timing depends on the inspection and on FPL, and we coordinate both.
Yes. Replacing service equipment requires an electrical permit and inspection, and FPL will only reconnect after the work is approved.
No. We strongly advise against it. The wires feeding the meter stay energized unless the utility disconnects them, and the work requires a permit, an inspection, and utility coordination. Always hire a licensed electrician.
Have an Electrical Panel Emergency?
Burning smell, buzzing, scorch marks, or a warm panel? Don’t wait. Nassif Electric offers rapid, 24/7 response across South Florida. Call us now and we’ll make it safe.
