Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost

As of 2026, an electrical panel upgrade usually costs $1,500 to $4,500, with a national average of $3,000 (Fixr). The price depends mostly on how many amps you're moving to, whether the utility service also needs upgrading, and how much wiring has to change around the panel.

This guide breaks down panel costs by size, the extra line items that show up on quotes, the signs a panel may need attention, and the questions to ask before you sign. Every figure links to the page it came from, and all of them are national ranges.

First, is your panel a safety problem right now?

Some panel problems need action before a quote. If you see sparks, smoke or flames at the panel, or you smell burning, get everyone out of the house and call 911 from outside. Don't go back in.

A few other rules:

• Never take the cover off the panel. Parts inside stay live even with the main breaker off.
• Don't touch the panel if it or the floor around it is wet. Stay clear and call for help.
• Don't keep resetting a breaker that trips right away. That can point to a short or a fault that needs a pro.
• Buzzing, heat or scorch marks at the panel are signs to stop using the affected circuits and have an electrician look soon. This Old House lists buzzing or overheating at the panel and visible damage or corrosion among the signs a panel needs attention (This Old House).

How much does a panel upgrade cost by amperage?

The amp rating is the biggest driver of price. A bigger service means a bigger panel, heavier wire and sometimes new utility equipment. Fixr gives these ranges to upgrade to each service size:

• 100 amps: $1,200 to $1,800 (Fixr).
• 150 amps: $1,500 to $2,800 (Fixr).
• 200 amps: $1,800 to $4,500 (Fixr).
• 300 amps: $3,500 to $7,500 (Fixr).
• 400 amps: $8,000 to $12,000 (Fixr).

This Old House prices the panel plus installation a little differently:

• 100-amp panel plus installation: $800 to $1,500 (This Old House).
• 200-amp panel plus installation: $1,300 to $3,000 (This Old House).
• 300-amp panel plus installation: $1,800 to $3,500 (This Old House).
• 400-amp panel plus installation: $2,000 to $4,000 (This Old House).

The two sources don't match, especially at 400 amps. Part of the gap is scope. Fixr's 400-amp figure describes upgrading the whole service, while This Old House's row covers the panel and its installation. Fixr says the high end, $12,000, is for upgrading to a new 400-amp system from 100-amp service (Fixr). When you compare quotes, check whether the service, meter and wiring to the house are included.

Is a panel replacement cheaper than an upgrade?

Usually, yes. A replacement swaps the panel for a new one of the same size. An upgrade moves you to a bigger service. Fixr's ranges:

• Replacement: $1,000 to $3,500 (Fixr).
• Upgrade: $1,500 to $5,000 (Fixr).

Fixr also prices like-for-like replacements by size:

• 100 amps: $1,000 to $1,600 (Fixr).
• 150 amps: $1,300 to $2,400 (Fixr).
• 200 amps: $1,600 to $4,000 (Fixr).

A replacement makes sense when the panel is damaged, worn or a type that's considered outdated, but your home has enough capacity. An upgrade makes sense when the home needs more power than the current service can deliver.

What else shows up on a panel upgrade quote?

The panel itself is often a small part of the bill. These are the other lines you may see.

The panel box

This Old House says panel units cost $100 to $500 or more, while total installation can reach $6,000 for larger panels (This Old House). Fixr lists materials-only prices of $80 to $175 for a 100-amp box and $300 to $400 for a 200-amp box (Fixr).

Labor

Fixr says the labor on most panel jobs ranges from $320 to $1,920 (Fixr). It also says a panel installation takes four to eight hours with two electricians and may take several days (Fixr).

Permits and inspections

Panel work almost always needs a permit, and the electrician usually pulls it.

• Permit: $50 to $300 or more (Fixr).
• Permit: $50 to $300 depending on location (This Old House).
• Initial electrical inspection: $125 to $250 (Fixr).
• Final city inspection: Fixr says it usually adds no more than $100 to the total (Fixr).

Wall access and patching

If the panel is in a finished wall, the electrician may need to open it. Fixr puts wall access at $100 to $450 depending on the layout, and drywall patching at $20 to $30 for the holes (Fixr).

Meter and service equipment

A bigger service may need a new meter box. Fixr says a new meter box costs $200 to $800 installed (Fixr). Fixr also notes some upgrades require trenching the wires, which can add a few thousand dollars.

Moving the panel

Some panels have to move, either to meet code or because of a remodel.

• Relocation: Fixr says it starts at around $1,000 and can go as high as $4,000 (Fixr).
• Moving a panel: This Old House lists $800 to $3,000 (This Old House).

Subpanels

A subpanel adds circuits in another part of the house, such as a garage or addition, without replacing the main panel. This Old House says installing a subpanel costs about $400 to $1,750 depending on size and complexity (This Old House).

Rewiring at the panel

If the circuits feeding the panel are old or damaged, some may need new wire. Fixr says rewiring an electrical panel ranges from $500 to $4,500 (Fixr).

What if only part of the panel is bad?

Not every panel problem means a new panel. Sometimes one part can be replaced.

• One circuit breaker: $200 to $250 (Fixr).
• Main breaker: $200 to $300 (Fixr).
• Main breaker: $200 to $300, rising to $500 to $2,000 if parts like the bus bar are damaged (This Old House).

If a single breaker is the problem, see the circuit breaker replacement cost guide. If the bus bar (the metal strip the breakers attach to) is damaged, replacing the whole panel is often the more practical fix. A pro will check which applies.

What about replacing an old fuse box?

Many older homes still have fuses instead of breakers. Each fuse is single-use and has to be replaced after it blows, and This Old House lists an outdated fuse box as a sign you may need an upgrade (This Old House).

Fixr says replacing a fuse box with a circuit breaker panel typically costs $1,500 to $4,500 (Fixr). A master electrician interviewed by This Old House calls screw-in fuses a red flag that needs to be replaced and budgeted for (This Old House).

What are the signs you need a panel upgrade?

These signs can point to a panel that's struggling with the load or wearing out. They can also have other causes, so a pro will check before recommending a new panel.

• Breakers trip often, especially when bigger appliances run.
• Lights flicker or dim when something turns on.
• You have to unplug one thing to run another.
• Your home has less than 100 amps of service.
• Burn marks, buzzing or heat at the panel.
• Physical damage or corrosion.
• You're adding big loads, like a heat pump, an electric range, a hot tub or an EV charger.

Fixr lists flickering lights, frequent tripping, having to unplug appliances to run others, service under 100 amps, burn marks, physical damage and Stab-Lok panels as signs (Fixr). This Old House adds dimming lights under load, buzzing or overheating at the panel, and visible damage or corrosion (This Old House).

Are Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels a problem?

This Old House lists Federal Pacific Electric and Zinsco among outdated panels (This Old House). Fixr lists Stab-Lok panels, a Federal Pacific line, as a sign you need an upgrade, and says replacing these brands costs about the same as an average panel replacement (Fixr).

If you know or suspect you have one of these panels, mention it when you book. Don't open the panel to check. The brand is usually on a label on the panel door or in a home inspection report.

How long do electrical panels last?

This Old House says electrical panels typically last 25 to 40 years (This Old House). Age alone isn't a reason to replace a panel that's working well, but it's worth having an older panel checked, especially before you add big loads.

Do you need a panel upgrade, or a service upgrade?

These terms get mixed up. A research summary prepared for ComEd, the Chicago-area utility, explains the difference (ComEd research summary):

• Panel upsizing is replacing the panel with one that has a higher amp rating, like going from 100 to 200 amps. An electrician does this on your side of the meter.
• A service upgrade increases the power the utility delivers to the house. That happens on the utility's side of the meter.

A bigger panel doesn't help if the service feeding it stays small, so many upgrades involve both. That means coordinating with your utility. Fixr notes that some areas require an inspection by the power company before work begins, and that the utility may decide where the new panel goes (Fixr). Ask your electrician who handles the utility paperwork and how long the utility usually takes in your area.

Can you avoid a panel upgrade?

Sometimes. If the reason for an upgrade is adding new electric appliances, there may be other options. The ComEd research summary describes several (ComEd research summary):

• Lower-power appliances that put less demand on the panel.
• Tandem breakers or circuit splitters that add circuits where the panel allows it.
• Smart circuits, breakers or panels that turn one load off while another runs.
• Sizing the panel from your actual energy use, rather than from the nameplate ratings of every appliance.

An earlier study for ComEd found that most homes with 100-amp service can add some new loads without major upgrades, but that a fully electric home would almost certainly need 200-amp service (ComEd research).

Whether any of these work for you depends on your panel, your loads and local code. Ask the electrician to explain the options before committing to a full upgrade.

What happens during a panel upgrade?

Knowing the steps helps you plan around the power being off and spot anything missing from a quote. The exact order depends on your area and utility, but a typical job looks like this:

1. Assessment. The electrician looks at the current panel, the service coming into the house and the loads you have or plan to add. For an upgrade, they work out what size you need.
2. Permit. The electrician applies for the permit. Some areas also need the utility's approval or an early inspection before work starts.
3. Utility scheduling. If the service or meter is changing, the utility has to disconnect power and reconnect it after the work. Wait times vary by utility and season.
4. Removing the old panel. Fixr says this takes about an hour (Fixr).
5. Installing the new panel. The electrician mounts the panel, connects each circuit to a new breaker, and updates grounding and labeling as code requires.
6. Inspection. A local inspector checks the work. Fixr says an inspection takes 15 minutes to an hour (Fixr).
7. Power back on. Once the work passes, the utility or electrician restores power, depending on what was changed.

Fixr notes that a panel installation may take several days, and that moving a panel adds a few days of labor (Fixr). Ask for a schedule in writing, including how long the power will be off.

How should you prepare for the day of the work?

Most of the preparation is about living without power for part of a day.

• Clear the area around the panel so the electrician can work safely.
• Plan for the fridge and freezer. Keep the doors closed while the power is off.
• Tell the electrician about medical devices that need power, so you can plan around them.
• Charge phones and laptops ahead of time.
• Ask where the crew will park and work, especially if the meter is outside or the utility needs access.
• Keep pets and kids away from the work area.

What should you get when the job is done?

Before you make the final payment, ask for:

• A copy of the permit and the passed inspection.
• A clearly labeled panel, with each breaker marked for the area it serves.
• The final invoice, listing the panel, breakers and any extra work.
• The terms of any guarantee on the work.

Keep these with your home records. They're useful for insurance, for future repairs and when you sell the house.

What changes the price of a panel upgrade?

• The amp rating. Going from 100 to 200 amps costs less than going to 400.
• Whether the service changes. New service wires, a new meter or trenching all add cost.
• Location. Fixr lists indoor panels at $1,200 to $4,000 and outdoor panels at $1,500 to $4,500 (Fixr).
• Access. A panel in a finished wall or tight space takes more work.
• The condition of the wiring. Old or damaged circuits may need new wire or new breakers.
• Code updates. A new panel often has to meet current code, which can mean GFCI or AFCI breakers on some circuits. Fixr says an AFCI breaker costs $50 to $100 per breaker, not including labor (Fixr).
• Local labor and permit costs. These vary a lot by region.

Repair, replace or upgrade?

A simple way to think about it:

• Repair when one part has failed and the panel is otherwise in good shape, like a single bad breaker.
• Replace when the panel is damaged, corroded, an outdated type, or the bus bar is damaged, but your home has enough capacity.
• Upgrade when the home needs more power, breakers trip under normal use, or you're adding big electric loads.

A pro will check the panel, the breakers and connections, and whether the panel can handle your home's load before recommending one of these. If you're not sure what's going on, you can check my electrical to see likely causes and typical costs first.

What questions should you ask for a fair quote?

• Do I need a replacement, a panel upgrade, a service upgrade, or more than one?
• What amp rating do you recommend, and how did you work that out?
• Does the quote include the permit, inspections and any utility fees?
• Will the meter, service wires or grounding need to change?
• Who coordinates with the utility, and how long does that usually take here?
• Are any breakers, wiring or wall repairs included, or extra?
• Will any circuits need GFCI or AFCI breakers to meet code?
• Is there a way to avoid a full upgrade, like load management?
• How long will the power be off?
• Is your license current for this area, and do you carry insurance? (It's always fine to ask.)
• Can I get the price in writing, and is the work guaranteed?

The bottom line

Most panel upgrades cost a few thousand dollars, with larger service upgrades costing more. The panel itself is usually the smaller part of the bill. Labor, permits, utility work and any wiring changes make up the rest.

Get a clear explanation of what you need and why, compare written quotes on the same scope, and handle any burning smell or sparks as an emergency first. For more on everyday costs, see how much an electrician costs.