What drives the price
The panel and breakers are a few hundred dollars. The cost is a licensed electrician for a day, the permit and inspection, coordinating a power cut with the utility, and re-terminating every circuit in the house. Older homes often need a new meter base and grounding electrode as well.
- Amperage - 100A to 200A is standard, 400A is a different job
- Whether the meter base and service entrance cable also need replacing
- Moving the panel to a new location
- Aluminium branch wiring or an obsolete panel brand needing extra remediation
- Bringing grounding and bonding up to current code
Should you DIY this or call a professional?
Call a licensed electrician, without exception. This is work on the service entrance, which is live even when your main breaker is off, and it requires a permit and inspection everywhere. Insurers routinely deny fire claims traced to unpermitted panel work.
Signs you need this repair
- Breakers tripping regularly under normal load
- A fuse box rather than breakers
- Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panel - known fire risks
- No capacity left for a new circuit
- Planning an EV charger, heat pump or hot tub
How to not get overcharged
Ask whether the permit, the inspection and the utility disconnect and reconnect are in the price - those three are the common extras. If you are adding an EV charger or heat pump soon, get both quoted together; the marginal cost of a circuit during a panel upgrade is far lower than a separate visit later. Ask whether any utility or efficiency rebate applies.
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Red flags to watch for
- No permit mentioned
- A quote given over the phone without seeing the existing panel
- Cash-only pricing
- No licence number offered when you ask
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel?+
Upgrading to a 200-amp electrical panel typically runs $1,800-$4,500, averaging near $2,800. Moving the panel or upgrading the service drop pushes it higher.
Can I upgrade an electrical panel myself, or should I hire a professional?+
Call a licensed electrician, without exception. This is work on the service entrance, which is live even when your main breaker is off, and it requires a permit and inspection everywhere. Insurers routinely deny fire claims traced to unpermitted panel work.
How long does it take to upgrade an electrical panel?+
6-10 Hours, Plus Utility Coordination. Scheduling and parts availability can extend the overall timeline beyond the hands-on work itself.
What makes the price of this job go up or down?+
Amperage - 100A to 200A is standard, 400A is a different job. Whether the meter base and service entrance cable also need replacing. Moving the panel to a new location. Aluminium branch wiring or an obsolete panel brand needing extra remediation. Bringing grounding and bonding up to current code.
How do I avoid being overcharged?+
Ask whether the permit, the inspection and the utility disconnect and reconnect are in the price - those three are the common extras. If you are adding an EV charger or heat pump soon, get both quoted together; the marginal cost of a circuit during a panel upgrade is far lower than a separate visit later. Ask whether any utility or efficiency rebate applies.