Yes I heard from @galenkp that he was quite the painter! Each type of parent is awesome in their own unique way. My dad, love him to death, was fantastic in many ways but also very challenging in others.

Yeah, the electric company has to hook the meter back up in some areas, it depends on local laws, really. We only had that happen a couple times. They hopefully won't charge you to do it, right?

Having it on the basement stairs is both a blessing as well as a curse. Be careful if you ever need to access the panel, standing on the stairs! Hopefully there is a small landing or something there, so you aren't so precarious. I also hope that the electrician installs a light bulb directly above it, if there isn't one already. Ask him (or her) to do that, makes for easier troubleshooting if one of the breakers short out and trip.