Expert Electrical Service Upgrades in Southern NH
Your electrical service is everything that brings power from the utility line into your home: the overhead service drop or underground lateral, the weatherhead, the meter base, and the service entrance conductors that feed your panel. When that equipment is undersized, aging, or flagged by the utility, it needs a service upgrade - not just a new breaker box.
Moore Electric handles the full service-entrance scope from their Plaistow, NH headquarters: upgrading 60-amp and 100-amp homes to 200-amp service, replacing weatherheads and meter bases, and converting overhead service to underground. Brenden Moore, a licensed Master Electrician, manages the permit, the utility disconnect and reconnect, and the inspection from start to finish.
Not sure what you need? Brenden inspects your service entrance, meter base, and panel in one visit, then gives you a clear, honest recommendation. No pressure, no upselling.
What's the Difference Between a Service Upgrade and a Panel Upgrade?
Homeowners use these terms interchangeably, but they are two different jobs. The simplest way to think about it: a service upgrade is everything outside the house that delivers power, and a panel upgrade is the breaker box inside that distributes it.
Electrical Service Upgrade
- Overhead service drop or underground service lateral
- Weatherhead and service entrance conductors
- Meter base and the connection to the utility
- Raises total capacity, commonly 100-amp to 200-amp
- Requires a utility disconnect and reconnect
Electrical Panel Upgrade
- Replaces the breaker box (load center) inside the home
- Distributes power to your home's circuits
- Fixes failed, recalled, or overloaded panels
- Adds breaker space for new circuits
- Covered in detail on our electrical panel upgrades page
Many homes built before the 1990s need both. A jump from 100-amp to 200-amp service often pairs a new electrical panel with a full service entrance upgrade. Moore Electric assesses which you actually need - one, the other, or both - during a single visit, so you are not paying for work that doesn't move the needle.
Is 100-Amp or 200-Amp Service Right for Your NH Home?
Most older homes across southern NH and northern MA were wired for a fraction of the load a family runs today. Here is how the common service sizes stack up.
Common in pre-1980 homes
- What it comfortably powers
- Lights, standard outlets, one AC unit, and gas heat. No room for a Level 2 EV charger or a heat pump.
- Best fit for
- Small older homes and condos that have not added big electrical loads. Usually the first candidate for an upgrade.
A middle step, less common now
- What it comfortably powers
- Central AC plus an electric range and dryer, with a little headroom left over.
- Best fit for
- Mid-size homes that stop short of EV charging, a heat pump, or a workshop.
Today's standard in NH and MA
- What it comfortably powers
- The full modern load: HVAC, electric range, heat pump, Level 2 EV charger, and a finished basement, all at once.
- Best fit for
- The current standard for most NH and MA homes. This is the upgrade we install most often.
The only way to size your service for certain is an on-site load calculation. Brenden does that free, before he quotes a number. Homes with original wiring often need rewiring alongside the service upgrade, and he will tell you straight if that applies to yours.
What Does a 200-Amp Electrical Service Upgrade Include?
The jump from 100-amp to 200-amp service is the most requested service upgrade Moore Electric performs in Plaistow, NH and surrounding communities. It gives your home the capacity to run an EV charger, heat pump, addition, or generator without tripping breakers or overloading the service.
New Meter Base
New meter base and service entrance conductors sized for 200-amp capacity.
Utility Coordination
We work directly with your local utility to schedule disconnection and reconnection.
Permits & Inspection
All permit applications filed and inspections scheduled - nothing for you to manage.
Weatherhead or Lateral
Weatherhead replacement for overhead service, or underground lateral if converting.
Panel Tie-In
New service connected to your existing or upgraded electrical panel.
Code-Compliant Work
Every installation meets current NEC and state code requirements.
What Does a 200-Amp Service Upgrade Cost?
The cost of a service upgrade depends on factors a panel swap doesn't have: overhead vs. underground service, the length of the service run, whether the meter base and weatherhead need replacing, permit fees in your town, and utility-specific requirements. Moore Electric serves homeowners across Plaistow, NH and southern New Hampshire, and pricing varies by scope.
Typical starting points for related work are listed in our electrical service cost guide. Rather than guessing at your service entrance, the best way to get an accurate number is a free on-site estimate. Brenden walks through your specific service entrance and provides a detailed written quote - no pressure, no obligation.
Do I Need a Permit for an Electrical Service Upgrade in NH?
Yes - always. Every electrical service upgrade in New Hampshire requires an electrical permit from your local building department. The state also requires a final inspection before the utility company will re-energize the service.
Moore Electric handles the full permit process: application filing, inspector scheduling, and making sure everything passes on the first visit. You never need to set foot in a town office or coordinate with the utility yourself.
Payment Options
Can You Finance a Service Upgrade?
A service upgrade is one of the larger electrical projects a home will ever need, and it often pairs with a panel replacement in the same visit. Financing is available for qualifying customers, so permitting and utility coordination can start on your timeline.
-
1
Get your written quote
Brenden walks the job, then puts the full scope and the price in writing.
-
2
We send you the application
It arrives by email or text. Apply whenever you have a few minutes free.
-
3
Get approved, then get scheduled
Once you are approved, your project goes on the calendar.
Financing Available
Ask about payment options during your free estimate. Approval takes minutes, and the project gets scheduled from there.
Ask About FinancingFinancing available for qualifying customers. See how financing works.
What Is an Underground Electrical Service Change?
An underground service change moves your home's utility connection from an overhead service drop to a buried underground lateral. Instead of wires running from the pole to a weatherhead on your roofline, the service conductors run through conduit underground from the utility connection point into your meter base. It is a common project for homeowners in Plaistow, NH and southern New Hampshire who want better storm resilience and a cleaner exterior without overhead wires.
The work involves trenching a path to code-required depth, installing conduit with the proper sweeps into the meter base, pulling new service conductors, and often relocating or replacing the meter. Before any digging, Moore Electric files a Dig Safe (811) request so existing underground utilities are located and marked, then handles backfill and surface restoration once the new lateral passes inspection.
Underground service changes require close coordination with your local utility for disconnect, reconnection, and final approval. Moore Electric manages that entire relationship on your behalf, from the initial application through final re-energizing.
When Do You Need an Underground Service Change?
- Your overhead service drop is damaged, aging, or has been flagged by the utility
- The utility company requires relocation during a renovation or property change
- You want better storm resilience and a cleaner aesthetic without overhead wires
- New construction with underground service planned from the start
- Adding a detached garage or outbuilding that needs its own service run
Underground vs. Overhead Electrical Service: Which Is Better?
Choosing between underground and overhead service depends on your property, budget, and priorities. Here's how they compare.
Overhead-to-Underground Electrical Conversion
Converting from overhead to underground service is a multi-step project that Moore Electric manages end to end for homeowners across Plaistow, NH and the surrounding area. You don't coordinate with the utility, the town, or a separate excavation crew. Brenden handles the full scope from planning through final inspection and re-energizing.
What Is a Weatherhead and When Does It Need Replacement?
The weatherhead is the curved fitting at the top of your service entrance where the utility's overhead drop connects to your home. Its job is to keep water from running down the conductors into the meter and panel. When you upgrade or convert service, the weatherhead is typically replaced. Signs yours needs attention: visible rust, a cracked or pulled-away mast, frayed conductors at the connection, or a code violation flagged during inspection or a meter change.
When Does the Meter Base Need Replacement?
The meter base is the enclosure that holds your electric meter and ties the utility's service to your panel. Utility companies often require a new meter base as part of a service upgrade or conversion, especially when the old one is rated below 200 amps, shows heat damage or corrosion, or no longer meets current specs. Moore Electric confirms the new base meets utility requirements before the disconnect is scheduled, so there are no failed reconnects and no second visit.
What Happens During the Utility Disconnect and Reconnect?
A service upgrade can't happen with the power live. Here is how Moore Electric sequences the work so your power is out only for the work-day window in most cases.
Utility Disconnect
Moore Electric schedules the disconnect with your local utility and confirms the appointment window.
Removal & Trenching
Old weatherhead and service entrance removed. Trench dug to depth and conduit installed for underground runs.
Wire & Meter Base Install
New service conductors pulled, new meter base set, and the service tied into your panel.
Inspection & Reconnect
Final inspection passed, the utility reconnects, and your new service goes live.
Why Choose Moore Electric for an Electrical Service Upgrade?
A service upgrade is different from most electrical work. It touches the town building department, the electric utility, and in many cases an excavation. Pick the wrong contractor and you become the project manager. Here is what makes Moore Electric the right call for the utility side of the job.
One Point of Contact, Start to Finish
We file the permit, schedule the utility disconnect and reconnect, coordinate any trenching and the Dig Safe locate, and meet the inspector. You make one call, not five.
Master Electrician, Licensed in NH, MA & ME
Service entrance and meter work is high-voltage and code-sensitive. A licensed Master Electrician performs the work. Moore Electric never subcontracts it out to unlicensed crews.
We Speak Utility
An established working rhythm with the local utilities speeds disconnect and reconnect scheduling, which is the part that decides how long your power is actually out.
Straight Pricing on a Big Job
Service upgrades carry more variables than a panel swap. You get a free on-site estimate with a written quote, and the price Brenden quotes is the price you pay. No surprise change orders.
Local to Southern NH
Based in Plaistow, NH, not a big-city outfit driving an hour to reach you. Fast scheduling for homeowners and commercial properties alike.
Proven Track Record
More than 25 years of experience and a perfect 5.0 rating across 18 Google reviews. Voted Best of Newburyport 2025.
Serving communities throughout southern NH and northern MA
What Our Customers Say
Real reviews from real customers on Google.
Top notch service from Moore Electric. Brenden was professional, knowledgeable and efficient. I use him for both my home and business. Whenever a friend or family member needs electrical work done I always recommend Brenden.
Absolutely beautiful work done by Moore Electric. Beside installing some difficult pieces, they were extremely neat, organized and displayed great attention to the details. They installed a sub panel and updated old wiring as well. All workers were very respectful of our property and our time. The owner Brendan and his team listened to our request and went above and beyond. We would definitely hire this very professional team again.
I own a growing business and as it expands will not hesitate to use Moore Electric Inc. I tend to hire based on character and individuals that put you at ease so if that's important to you definitely do not hesitate to reach out to this crew!
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Service Upgrades
What is an electrical service upgrade?
An electrical service upgrade replaces the components that deliver power from the utility to your home - the service entrance cables, meter base, weatherhead (for overhead service), and the service lateral (for underground). It increases your home's electrical capacity, typically from 100 amps to 200 amps. This is different from a panel upgrade, which only replaces the breaker box inside your house. Many older homes need both to safely support modern electrical loads.
What's the difference between a service upgrade and a panel upgrade?
A service upgrade covers everything outside the house - the cables from the utility, the meter base, the weatherhead or underground lateral. A panel upgrade replaces the breaker box inside your home. Think of the service upgrade as the line that brings power to your home, and the panel upgrade as the box that distributes it. Many homes need both, and Moore Electric can assess and handle both in the same project.
How much does a 200-amp service upgrade cost?
The cost of a 200-amp service upgrade varies based on whether you have overhead or underground service, the length of cable runs, whether the meter base and weatherhead need replacing, permit fees in your town, and any utility-specific requirements. Every home is different, which is why Moore Electric provides free on-site estimates with a detailed written quote before any work begins. Contact us to schedule a free estimate.
What is a weatherhead and does mine need to be replaced?
The weatherhead is the curved fitting at the top of an overhead service entrance where the utility's wires connect to your home. It keeps water out of the service conductors. It is usually replaced during a service upgrade, and on its own when there is visible rust, a damaged or leaning mast, frayed conductors, or a code issue flagged at inspection. Moore Electric can tell you whether yours needs replacement during a free assessment.
Do you replace the meter base during a service upgrade?
Often, yes. The utility frequently requires a new meter base as part of a 200-amp upgrade or an overhead-to-underground conversion, especially when the existing base is undersized, corroded, or no longer meets current specs. Moore Electric confirms the new meter base meets utility requirements before the disconnect is scheduled, which prevents a failed reconnect and a second visit.
Do I need a permit for an electrical service upgrade in NH?
Yes. Every electrical service upgrade in New Hampshire requires an electrical permit from the local building department and a final inspection before the utility will reconnect power. Moore Electric handles the complete permit process - filing the application, scheduling the inspection, and making sure everything passes on the first visit.
How long does an electrical service upgrade take?
Most service upgrades are completed in one to two days of on-site work. The overall timeline is usually one to three weeks when you account for permit processing and utility scheduling. Underground service changes or overhead-to-underground conversions can take slightly longer due to trenching and additional utility coordination. Moore Electric keeps you informed at every step.
What is an underground service change?
An underground service change transitions your home's electrical supply from an overhead service drop (wires running from the utility pole to your house) to buried underground cables. This involves trenching, installing conduit, running new service conductors, and often relocating or replacing the meter base. Underground service is more resilient to storms and eliminates the visible wires on your home's exterior.
Should I choose underground or overhead electrical service?
Underground service offers better storm resilience, lower long-term maintenance, and a cleaner appearance with no visible wires. Overhead service has a lower upfront cost and is more widely available. The right choice depends on your property, budget, and what the local utility supports. If storm damage or aesthetics are a priority, underground is usually worth the investment. Brenden can walk you through both options during a free assessment.
What are signs I need an electrical service upgrade?
Common signs include: your home still has 60-amp or 100-amp service and you're adding major loads (EV charger, heat pump, home addition), visible rust or damage on your weatherhead or meter base, the utility has flagged your service entrance during a meter change, breakers trip frequently even after a panel evaluation, or you're planning generator installation that requires higher capacity. If you're experiencing any of these, a free assessment from Moore Electric can confirm whether an upgrade is needed.
Do you offer financing for a service upgrade?
Yes. Financing is available for qualifying customers through Wisetack. After your free assessment you get a written quote, and if you would like to look at payment options we send an application link to your email or phone. You apply on your own time. Once you are approved, Moore Electric files the permit and books the work. Call 603-836-9513 to get started.
Get a Free Electrical Service Upgrade Estimate in Southern NH
Licensed. Permit-ready. Utility-coordinated. One call to Brenden and the entire project is handled from start to finish.
Serving Plaistow, NH and surrounding communities in southern NH and northern MA.