Electrical Panel Upgrade Costs
Your electrical panel is the heart of the home’s wiring — it splits incoming power into the circuits that feed everything. When it is undersized, outdated, or unsafe, upgrading it is one of the most worthwhile electrical investments you can make. Here is what a panel or service upgrade typically costs in 2026 and what pushes the price around.
The short version
- A 100A-to-200A upgrade typically runs $1,800 to $4,000 or more in 2026.
- Cost climbs when the meter, mast, or service entrance also needs work.
- The utility and a permit are almost always involved — that is normal and expected.
- An old fuse box or a panel from a recalled line is a common reason to upgrade.
What a panel or service upgrade is
A panel upgrade replaces the main breaker panel — and often the service equipment that feeds it — and frequently raises the amperage your home can handle. Older homes may have 60A or 100A service, or even a fuse box; many modern homes move to 150A or 200A to support today’s loads, from heat pumps and induction ranges to EV chargers. “Panel upgrade” and “service upgrade” are used loosely, but a true service upgrade also involves the meter, the service entrance conductors, and coordination with the utility.
Amperage in plain terms
Amperage is roughly how much electricity your home can draw at once. A house that keeps outgrowing its capacity — tripping the main, unable to add circuits — is a candidate for more amperage. But bigger is not automatically better for every home; a licensed electrician sizes the service to the actual load and the code.
What drives the cost
- Target amperage. Moving to 150A or 200A costs more than a like-for-like swap because it can require heavier conductors and equipment.
- Meter, mast, and service entrance. If the meter base, the mast, or the wires from the utility also need replacing, the job grows well beyond swapping a panel.
- Utility disconnect and reconnect. The power company typically has to disconnect and later reconnect service, which has to be scheduled and coordinated.
- Permit and inspection. This work requires a permit and inspection nearly everywhere. It adds fees and time, and it is a protection you want.
- Panel location and grounding. Relocating the panel, or bringing grounding and bonding up to current code, adds labor and materials.
Typical cost ranges
These are broad 2026 ballpark figures for planning only. Your real number depends on the home, the region, the utility, and the scope. Always get an itemized estimate.
| Scope | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like panel replacement (same amperage) | $1,500 to $2,800+ | No amperage change, panel in place |
| 100A to 150A upgrade | $1,800 to $3,500+ | Depends on service entrance work |
| 100A to 200A upgrade | $1,800 to $4,000+ | The most common modern target |
| Upgrade with new meter, mast, or entrance | $3,500 to $6,000+ | Utility coordination and heavier gear |
| Panel relocation | Add $500 to $2,000+ | New runs and finishing at the new spot |
Signs your panel may be due
Cost is easier to justify once you know why an upgrade matters. Common signals include:
- A fuse box, or a panel from a line that has been widely flagged as problematic.
- The main breaker trips when several large appliances run at once.
- No open slots left, so you cannot add a needed circuit.
- Scorching, rust, a burning smell, or a warm panel cover — treat these as urgent and call a pro.
- Planning a big new load, such as an EV charger, heat pump, or hot tub.
Everything inside a panel is live and dangerous, even with the main breaker off, because the service conductors remain energized. This is licensed-professional work — never open the panel interior or touch the service conductors yourself.
Pro tip — ask about total load, not just the panel
A bigger panel does not help if the service conductors or meter cannot carry more. A good electrician does a load calculation and looks at the whole service — meter, mast, grounding, and conductors — so you pay once for a service that actually meets your needs and code.
FAQ
How long does a panel upgrade take?
Many straightforward upgrades are completed in a day, though power is off for a chunk of that time and the utility disconnect and reconnect have to be scheduled. Jobs that also replace the meter, mast, or service entrance, or relocate the panel, can take longer.
Do I need the power company involved?
Usually, yes. A service upgrade typically requires the utility to disconnect service before the work and reconnect it after, and to coordinate the meter. Your electrician generally handles that scheduling along with the permit and inspection.
Is it worth going to 200A?
For many homes adding modern loads — EV charging, a heat pump, an induction range — 200A is a common, future-friendly target. But the right size is the one a load calculation and the code call for. Let a licensed electrician confirm what your home actually needs.
Does homeowners insurance care about old panels?
It can. Some insurers ask about the panel type and age, and a few have concerns about certain older or recalled lines and fuse boxes. If you are unsure, ask your insurer, and have a licensed electrician assess anything flagged.
General information for homeowners — not a substitute for a licensed electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous and is regulated by code; always hire a licensed pro and pull required permits. Costs and codes vary by location.
