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If you’re planning an electrical panel upgrade in your Fort Myers home, you’re already making a smart move. Replacing an outdated or overloaded panel improves safety, supports new technology like EV chargers and solar systems, and can even increase your property value.
But before any electrician starts the work, there’s one step that’s often misunderstood — and sometimes skipped — by homeowners: the electrical permit.
As a master electrician serving Fort Myers and Lee County, I’ve seen how important permits are when it comes to protecting homeowners and passing inspections. Let’s walk through what you need to know about panel upgrade permits in Fort Myers, why they’re required, and how the process works.
Electrical work isn’t something that should ever be “off the books.” In Florida, panel replacements and service upgrades legally require a permit — whether you’re increasing capacity from 100A to 200A, or simply replacing an aging breaker box with a new one of the same size.
Here’s why:1. Safety & Code Compliance
Permits ensure your upgrade meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building standards. That means proper grounding, bonding, conductor sizing, and load capacity — all essential for preventing electrical fires or shocks.2. Inspection & Accountability
Once the work is complete, a city or county electrical inspector reviews it. This third-party verification ensures your panel was installed correctly, the materials are rated properly, and everything is safe to energize.3. Insurance & Liability Protection
If you experience an electrical fire or damage and your panel wasn’t permitted or inspected, your homeowner’s insurance may deny the claim. Having a permit protects your investment and provides legal proof that the work was done to code.4. Home Resale Value
When selling your home, buyers (and their inspectors) often ask for documentation of electrical upgrades. A permitted and approved panel replacement shows the work was done safely and professionally.In most cases, the City of Fort Myers Building & Permitting Services Division handles residential and commercial electrical permits.
If your property lies outside city limits — for example, in Lehigh Acres or unincorporated Lee County — then the permit would go through the Lee County Building Department.
As licensed contractors, Coharbor Electric handles the entire process for our customers. We submit the permit application, provide load calculations if needed, and coordinate directly with inspectors so you don’t have to navigate the red tape.
1. Site Assessment & Load Calculation
We start by inspecting your current electrical system and performing a load calculation to determine your power needs. This helps decide whether you need a 150A, 200A, or larger panel.2. Permit Application
We file an application with the city or county, including:3. Utility Coordination
If your service size is increasing (e.g., from 100A to 200A), we coordinate with Florida Power & Light (FPL) or your utility company to disconnect power safely on the day of installation.4. Installation & Upgrade
We remove the old panel, replace wiring as needed, install the new panel, and label each circuit clearly.5. Inspection
Once the work is complete, the City of Fort Myers or Lee County sends an inspector to verify code compliance. After passing inspection, FPL reconnects power and your upgraded panel goes live.Unfortunately, some homeowners — or unlicensed contractors — try to avoid permits to save time or money. That’s a serious mistake.
Here’s what can happen:
Failed insurance claims after electrical damage.
Stop-work orders from the city.
Fines for unpermitted work.
Failed home inspections during a future sale.
Unpermitted panel work is also a red flag to buyers and inspectors, and in some cases, the city may require you to redo the work and obtain a retroactive permit, which costs even more.
Most panel upgrade permits in Fort Myers are approved within 3–5 business days, provided the contractor submits complete and accurate information.
At Coharbor Electric, we’ve completed dozens of these projects, and our familiarity with the local permitting process helps ensure faster approvals and smoother inspections.
Permit fees vary depending on the jurisdiction and project scope, but typically fall between $75 and $200 for standard residential upgrades.
The cost is minimal compared to the value of ensuring your home meets code and is covered by insurance.
A Fort Myers homeowner recently hired an unlicensed handyman to replace their outdated 100A panel with a 200A breaker box. The work was done without a permit, and a few months later, an outlet fire caused $12,000 in damage.
When the insurance adjuster inspected the scene, they found no record of a permit or inspection — and the claim was denied.
Afterward, the homeowner called us at Coharbor Electric. We replaced the faulty panel, obtained proper permits, and coordinated with the city for inspection approval. The system is now safe, compliant, and insured.
Fort Myers’ humidity, salt air, and frequent storms create unique challenges for electrical systems. Inspectors check for:
Proper corrosion-resistant materials
Correct grounding and bonding for lightning protection
GFCI and surge protection compliance
Weatherproof enclosures for outdoor panels
Permitting ensures that your electrical work is designed for local environmental conditions — not just “good enough” by national standards.
At Coharbor Electric, we specialize in electrical panel upgrades and replacements across Fort Myers and Lee County.
We handle everything:
Permitting & utility coordination
Load calculations & code compliance
Panel installation & labeling
Final inspections & documentation
Our goal is to make the process easy, transparent, and stress-free — while keeping your home safe and compliant.
We’re licensed, insured, and locally based, so we know exactly what inspectors look for in Southwest Florida.
Getting a permit for your electrical panel upgrade isn’t just a bureaucratic formality — it’s a critical step that protects your home, your family, and your investment.
In Fort Myers, unpermitted work can cost you far more in the long run than simply doing it right the first time.
If you’re considering a panel replacement or electrical service upgrade, make sure it’s permitted, inspected, and completed by a licensed professional.
Contact Coharbor Electric today for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through the permit process, handle the paperwork, and ensure your upgrade meets every safety standard in Fort Myers.
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:
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