The honest answer: 2 to 3 weeks from quote to live 200A service, with most of the time being BC Hydro scheduling, not the electrical work itself. The actual install day is power-out for 4 to 6 hours. Here's the day-by-day timeline.
The 2-to-3 week timeline at a glance
| Day | Step |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Photos sent, quote issued in writing within 24 hours |
| Day 1 | Quote accepted, deposit invoiced |
| Day 2 | Permit pulled with Technical Safety BC |
| Day 3 | BC Hydro disconnect appointment scheduled (5 to 10 business days out) |
| Days 4–10 | Materials ordered, hardware staged at our shop |
| Day 11–14 | Install day (BC Hydro disconnect → install → reconnect, all same day) |
| Day 15–17 | Inspection by Technical Safety BC (virtual for most jobs) |
| Day 18 | Sign-off paperwork delivered to you |
Two to three weeks total. If you're tight on timing (e.g., a closing date or scheduled appliance delivery), tell us up front. We can sometimes shave 5 to 7 days by scheduling BC Hydro on day 1 instead of day 3.
What's actually happening on each day
Day 0: Photos + quote
You send us photos of the panel, meter base, and service entrance. We run the load calculation, verify what's needed, and send a written quote with line items.
What's in the quote:
- Panel hardware (if needed)
- New 200A meter base
- Service entrance conductors
- AFCI/GFCI breakers per code
- Permit fee
- BC Hydro coordination time
- Inspection coordination
- Disposal of old equipment
Quote turnaround: under 24 hours.
Day 1: Quote accepted, deposit invoiced
You sign the quote. We invoice for a 30% deposit (covers materials + permit). You pay, we schedule.
Day 2: Permit pulled
We pull the Technical Safety BC permit under our FSR license. The permit takes 5 to 30 minutes online. We schedule the inspection at the same time (usually a virtual inspection, but in-person for some jobs).
Day 3: BC Hydro disconnect scheduled
We call BC Hydro and request a residential disconnect for a service upgrade. Available slots are typically 5 to 10 business days out. We pick a date that works for you (we ask about your schedule on day 1) and confirm.
Days 4–10: Materials staged
We order the panel, breakers, meter base, and service entrance conductors. Most hardware is in stock at local supply houses. Specialty items (specific Eaton or Square D models, oversized panels) can be 2 to 4 days out.
Day 11–14: Install day
This is the day of actual work. Power is out for 4 to 6 hours.
8:00 AM — We arrive, set up. Confirm BC Hydro is en route (they usually arrive between 9:00 and 10:00 AM for a morning slot).
9:30 AM — BC Hydro tech arrives, pulls the meter. Power is now off to the entire home.
10:00 AM — We remove the old meter base, panel (if being replaced), and service entrance conductors.
12:00 PM — Install the new meter base and service entrance. Bond and ground per current code. Lunch break for us, you can come back if you left.
1:30 PM — Install or upgrade the panel. Re-terminate every circuit. Install all required AFCI/GFCI breakers.
3:00 PM — Final wiring, panel cover on, label every circuit.
3:30 PM — Call BC Hydro to confirm the install is complete and ready for reconnect.
4:00 PM — BC Hydro tech returns, installs the new 200A meter, reconnects.
4:30 PM — Power back on. We test every circuit, verify voltage at the panel.
5:00 PM — Walkthrough with you. Hand over the permit and prepare for inspection.
5:30 PM — Cleanup, drop cloths up, done.
Most of the day. Power off for about 6 hours total (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM).
Day 15–17: Inspection
For most residential service upgrades in Langley, Technical Safety BC does a virtual inspection — we submit photos and documentation online, the inspector reviews within 1 to 3 business days, and the sign-off lands in your email.
For some jobs (meter base relocation, unusual conditions), an in-person inspection is required. The inspector comes out, looks at the work, and signs off in person. Usually within a week of completion.
You don't need to be home for either inspection.
Day 18: Sign-off paperwork delivered
We email you:
- The Technical Safety BC permit and inspection sign-off
- The install receipt with line items
- Photos of the completed work
- Any rebate paperwork (if applicable, e.g., bundled with EV charger or heat pump)
You forward the sign-off to your insurer if they were waiting on the panel or service upgrade for renewal. Some insurers offer premium reductions after the upgrade.
What can extend the timeline
Three things can push the 2-to-3-week timeline to 4-6 weeks:
1. Meter base relocation
If the meter is moving, BC Hydro also has to relocate the service drop (the wire from the pole to the house). That's a separate BC Hydro project with 4-to-8-week scheduling. The electrical work waits for that.
2. Specialty hardware backorder
Most panels are in stock. But specific models (200A panels with very high circuit counts, specific brand preferences) can be 2 to 4 weeks out at the supply house.
3. Permit complications
Most jobs use a standard residential service upgrade permit. If the upgrade involves an unusual configuration (multiple meters, sub-metering, accessory dwelling), the permit takes longer to issue. Rare in residential.
What can shorten the timeline
If you need it faster:
- Schedule BC Hydro on day 1, before the deposit is paid (we can request the slot at quote time)
- Pick the soonest available BC Hydro slot rather than picking a convenient date
- Be flexible on the install day (mid-week morning slots fill up first)
We can usually get you live within 10 business days if you're flexible. Faster than that requires emergency-pricing tier.
What we coordinate so you don't have to
You don't deal with BC Hydro. You don't deal with Technical Safety BC. You don't pull a permit. We handle:
- Permit application and fees
- BC Hydro disconnect scheduling
- BC Hydro reconnect coordination
- Inspection scheduling
- Sign-off paperwork delivery
- Insurer documentation
You sign the quote, you're home on the install day (or a tenant/family member is), and you read the email when the sign-off lands. That's the entire homeowner side.
How to start
Send us photos:
- Open panel
- Panel door label
- Exterior meter base
- Service entrance from outside
We'll have a quote in your inbox within 24 hours.
Call (236) 862-1196 or send your project details.
Related reading
Frequently asked
- Almost never for residential planned work. Disconnect appointments are scheduled 5 to 10 business days out for non-emergency residential service upgrades. Emergency work (downed line, immediate hazard) gets prioritized but that's a different category.
- 4 to 6 hours typically. We start by calling BC Hydro to confirm the disconnect, they pull the meter, we work, we call BC Hydro to confirm the reconnect, they reconnect. The actual electrician work is 3 to 4 hours; the BC Hydro side adds 1 to 2 hours of waiting and travel time.
- Tell us before scheduling. We can plan a temporary supply (extension cord from a neighbor's outlet for the freezer, generator backup for medical equipment) or schedule the install for a time when the equipment can be unplugged briefly.
- Standard residential disconnect/reconnect is included in your existing BC Hydro service. They don't bill you for it. The cost is in the electrician's work, the permit, and the materials.
- Rare but happens. They reschedule for the next available slot, usually 1 to 3 business days. We charge you the original install fee, not a re-mobilization fee, when this happens (it's not your fault and we factor it into our scheduling).
