60A–125A Subpanels · Backyard ADUs, Workshops & Additions · Austin, TX
Dedicated power for backyard casitas, garages, and crowded main panels.
Whether you are building an Austin HOME-Initiative backyard ADU in 78704 or East Austin, converting a detached garage into an air-conditioned studio/workshop, or running out of breaker slots on an otherwise healthy 200A main panel, DC Electric installs permitted 60A to 125A copper-bus subpanels built for expansion.
60A, 100A & 125A subpanels NEC 250.32 detached grounding 10-year panel workmanship warranty
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Best Pick for the 4th year — Best Pick Reports
Angi Service Award Winner — 2018–2025
5.0 on Google · 491 reviews
Tesla, Eaton & SPAN Certified Installers
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Full Breaker Slots vs. Full Service Amperage
When a subpanel saves thousands over a full utility service upgrade — and when it doesn’t.
Homeowners are often told they need an $8,000+ utility service upgrade simply because all 20 or 30 breaker spaces in their main panel are occupied. Physical breaker slots and actual electrical amperage are two completely different things. If your home already has a 200-amp main service with plenty of calculated NEC load headroom, adding a clean 100-amp flush or surface subpanel right beside the main panel unlocks 16 to 24 brand-new full-size breaker spaces in half a day without calling the utility.
Conversely, if your home is still on an original 100-amp main panel, adding a subpanel does *not* create extra utility amps — it only adds spaces. Our licensed electrician runs the NEC Article 220 load math first so you invest in the exact architecture your home actually needs.
What’s Included With DC Electric
- Eliminates messy, unpermitted "cheater" tandem breakers crammed onto non-CTL panel slots
- Ideal staging hub for kitchen remodels (induction range, speed oven, microwave drawer, dishwasher, disposal, under-cabinet LEDs)
- SPAN Smart Subpanel configurations available to make critical backup circuits solar/battery-smart without replacing a 400A exterior ranch meter-main
- Every subpanel labeled circuit-by-circuit with permanent printed directory tags
Detached Garages, Workshops & Austin Backyard ADUs / Casitas
Trenched 4-wire feeders, local main disconnects, and code-compliant grounding for outbuildings.
Feeding a detached structure — a backyard office shed, woodworking shop with a 240V dust collector and table saw, detached two-car EV garage in Hyde Park or Travis Heights, or a full guest casita with mini-split HVAC and kitchenette — carries strict National Electrical Code rules under NEC Article 225 and 250.32.
Unlike an attached indoor subpanel, a detached building must receive a 4-wire feeder (two hots, neutral, and equipment ground), have an accessible building disconnecting means, keep neutral and ground strictly unbonded inside the subpanel, and tie into its own local grounding electrode system (two driven ground rods) at the detached building.
What’s Included With DC Electric
- 18-inch underground PVC Schedule 40/80 conduit runs (or 24-inch direct-burial / rigid sweeps) sized with extra conduit diameter to minimize voltage drop over 50–180 ft yards
- Complete interior rough-in and trim-out for backyard offices, gyms, studios, and ADU casitas (mini-split 240V disconnects, recessed LEDs, GFCIs, tankless water heater checks)
- 240V NEMA 6-50 / 14-50 welder, kiln, compressor, and EV charger outlets right inside your detached garage
- City of Austin and suburban municipal electrical permits + trench/final inspections handled start to finish
30-Second Austin Capacity & Rebate Check
Can your current panel handle an EV charger, generator, or upgrade?
Select your electric utility, current breaker panel size, and what you’re adding to see the typical NEC code-compliant path, 2026 Greater Austin investment range, and utility permit or rebate rules.
Recommended NEC Path
Direct 60A Hardwired EV Circuit (Load Calc Verified)
Most modern 200-amp panels can support a dedicated 60A hardwired Level 2 charger directly. If all-electric HVAC, double ovens, or a pool push your NEC Article 220 load calculation near 80%, dynamic EV power management lets you charge at full speed without upgrading to 400A service.
Typical 2026 Austin Range $889 – $2,400 Varies by conduit distance & wall routing (up to $4,400 for 100–200 ft detached runs)
Utility & Rebate Notes Austin Energy Permit & EV Rebate Ready Eligible for Austin Energy Plug-In Austin Level 2 rebate when permitted and installed by a licensed TECL contractor. We provide all required invoice & permit paperwork.
Ballpark planning ranges only — every home receives an in-person NEC load calculation by a licensed DC Electric electrician and an exact written flat-rate price before any work begins.
Verified Dispatch Log · Greater Austin
Recent residential work completed near Greater Austin
Anonymized completed job records synced from our ServiceTitan dispatch log (429+ Greater Austin residential projects completed over the last 6 months, including 429 in Greater Austin). Customer names and street addresses are omitted for homeowner privacy.
429 Local JobsVerified · TECL #38552
200-Amp Panel & Austin Energy Meter Base Upgrade
Dedicated Circuit, GFCI/AFCI Protection & Smart Switch Install
Dedicated 240V Hot Tub, Spa / Sauna & GFCI Disconnect Wiring
Need similar electrical work in Greater Austin? Book online 24/7 for an exact written price before work begins.
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Common Questions
Answers about subpanels, adu / casita & garage wiring in Austin
Can a backyard ADU or casita in Austin run off my main house’s 200A panel via a subpanel, or does it need its own Austin Energy meter?
Under Austin Energy and NEC rules, many backyard studios, guest casitas, and detached ADUs on a single residential lot can be fed cleanly via a 60A–100A subpanel from a 200A main house service — provided a formal NEC Article 220 load calculation proves 200A covers both dwellings (choosing a heat-pump mini-split, heat-pump water heater, or gas tankless instead of a 120A electric tankless water heater is usually the key!). When total demand exceeds 200A or separate tenant billing is desired, we also coordinate dual-meter / 320A–400A setups.
Why did my home inspector flag "bonded neutral and ground in subpanel"?
Neutral and ground are ONLY permitted to be bonded together at one point: the very first main service disconnect. If neutral and ground touch inside a downstream subpanel, normal return current travels across metal appliance frames, conduit, and ground wires — creating shock and arcing hazards. Separating the bars and removing the green bonding screw is a straightforward, high-priority safety fix we perform daily.
How deep does underground electrical conduit to a detached garage or shed need to be buried?
Under NEC Table 300.5, standard rigid nonmetallic PVC conduit under a residential yard requires 18 inches of cover to the top of the conduit (or 6 inches for threaded Rigid Metal Conduit / IMC away from driveways). We coordinate Texas 811 utility locates before any trenching begins.
Is your 10-year panel warranty included on subpanels too?
Yes — every main panel and subpanel installed by DC Electric is backed by our 10-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer bus/breaker warranties.
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In Our Neighbors’ Words · Greater Austin
We treat every home like our own. Here’s what neighbors say about DC Electric.
Being invited into your home is a privilege we never take for granted. Every story below comes straight from a Greater Austin homeowner we’ve served — with the work we did and the DC Electric crew who showed up.
5.0 ★ · 491 Verified Google Reviews
⚡ 200A Panel Replacement & Austin Energy Permit · Austin, TX
“The DC Electric team was phenomenal! They came out and replaced a tricky inset panel in one day. Rodney, Anthony, Andrew, Rico were professional, quick, and filled us with confidence that they could get the job done. They worked with Austin Energy to get permits approved and finish the inspection in record time. We are beyond impressed with their excellent work! This was no easy job.”
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Helen Siegel
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Juan Villa
“Nick came out for the quote — kind and thorough, and helped me think through all the work. Install day was flawless: the crew put in a car charger, 16 can lights, and two new circuits, and insisted on making it perfect. They are not the cheapest electricians in town, but you absolutely get what you pay for.”
Crew: Nick & Install Crew
Google review ↗
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Margaret McKinney
“I purchased a 1951 home with multiple electrical issues on the inspection. Every deficiency was addressed — and they told me which components did not need updating. A storm rolled in while I was away and the techs closed all my windows. I came home to a dry house.”
Crew: Master Diagnostic Crew
Google review ↗
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Joe Sims
“I needed to replace my panel, and add outlets to the bathroom and garage. Pete was helpful in getting my estimate. Max and Rico did a great job with the installation. Everyone was very friendly. The pricing was straightforward and fair. They had me scheduled fairly quickly and finished the job quickly.”
Crew: Pete, Max & Rico
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Linda Ball
“They showed up right on time and worked nonstop in the heat, provided a generator so we had power while they worked, answered every question, explained everything, and cleaned up before leaving. I’ll definitely use them again.”
Crew: Master Service Upgrade Crew
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Patrick Caldwell
“Big thank you to Rodney, Max and Pete from DC Electric who helped us install new recessed lights in our kitchen. They were on time, super helpful working out what would work best, did a good quality install and clean up and were very friendly and easy to work with. Will definitely use again!”
Crew: Rodney, Max & Pete
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Claire Moore
“We got multiple bids to restore power to our garage unit, and the team at DC were the easy choice. Scheduling was easy, communication was consistent, and most importantly, they took care of everything thoroughly — complete on time, with no surprises.”
Crew: Diagnostic & Repair Crew
Google review ↗
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Christopher Brookover
“Fast, efficient, clean, and extremely knowledgeable about the hardware and setup. Ed and the crew walked me through the whole system and I’ve spent hours playing with my new SPAN setup!”
Crew: Ed & SPAN Certified Crew
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Carly Hustvedt
“Andrew and Jonathan did an amazing job installing our EV charger. They walked us through the setup, stayed true to the quote, and left the garage cleaner than they found it.”
Crew: Andrew & Jonathan
Google review ↗
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Acer Pahukoa
“Rico, Rodney and Nathan were professionals with my charger install. Explained every step of the process to me, informed me of every step during the install, and walked me through final install and operation. Left a clean work space, and their final work looked very clean. Highly recommend!”
Crew: Rico, Rodney & Nathan
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Subpanels, ADU / Casita & Garage Wiring in Austin, priced clearly before work begins.
Book online 24/7 or call 512.954.4782. A licensed DC Electric electrician evaluates your home in person, walks through options in plain English, and gives you one exact flat-rate written price.