The call usually comes one of two ways. A buyer’s home inspector writes “Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel, recommend evaluation and replacement by a licensed electrician.” Or an insurance carrier sends a questionnaire asking what brand your breaker panel is. Either way, you now have a deadline.
How to tell what you have
You don’t need to take the cover off (and shouldn’t). Open the panel door and look for:
- Federal Pacific: “Federal Pacific Electric” or “FPE” on the label, and “Stab-Lok” printed on the breakers, often with red-orange trip handles.
- Zinsco: the Zinsco name (some panels were also sold under the Sylvania name), often with multicolored breaker handles.
- Challenger and Pushmatic: the brand is on the label; Pushmatic breakers are push-buttons rather than toggles.
- Fuses: screw-in glass fuses or cartridge fuses instead of breakers.
Take a photo of the door label and the breakers. That’s usually enough for an electrician to price the job.
Why they’re flagged
These panels are widely treated by insurers and inspectors as higher-risk equipment. Insurance guidance commonly names Federal Pacific, Zinsco (including some Sylvania models), Challenger and Pushmatic as panels that can lead to a declined or non-renewed policy. Many were installed during the post-war building boom that produced so much of Nassau and western Suffolk, which is why they come up so often in Levittown, Hicksville, Massapequa and West Babylon sales.
What replacement costs on Long Island
| Option | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Like-for-like replacement (same amperage) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Replacement with a 100A → 200A service upgrade | $3,200–$5,800 |
| Permit and agency inspection | usually included; should be itemized |
Which one? If you’re selling and the house doesn’t need more capacity, like-for-like is faster and cheaper. If you’re staying and adding central air, a heat pump or an EV charger, upgrading now avoids paying for a panel twice. See panel upgrades.
Getting it done before a closing
- Send the photo and your closing date with your quote request.
- Expect a quick walk-through. The electrician checks the meter, mast and grounding to see whether the job is a simple swap or a service change.
- Permit and agency filing. Towns on Long Island use approved third-party inspection agencies. Some, like Islip, don’t allow work to start until the application is filed.
- If the service changes, PSEG Long Island gets involved. The utility requires an Electrical Inspection Certificate before it reconnects an upgraded service, and meter scheduling is often the longest wait.
- Install day is usually one day.
- Get the certificate. The buyer’s attorney, lender or your insurer will usually want it.
If the closing date is tight, say so up front. A like-for-like swap that doesn’t change the service can sometimes move faster than a full upgrade.
Buyer or seller: who pays?
That’s a negotiation, not a rule. Sellers often fix it to keep the deal clean; buyers sometimes take a credit and handle it after closing. Either way, a written quote from a licensed electrician gives both sides a real number to negotiate with.
Check the license, not just the price
Electrical licensing on Long Island is local: a Suffolk County Master Electrician license in Suffolk, and a town, city or village license in Nassau. A Nassau County Home Improvement license doesn’t cover electrical work. Here’s how to check.
Need it done? See federal pacific & zinsco panel replacement on Long Island. Local rules: Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon.