How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,200 - $2,000
You'll spend an average of $1,600 upgrading to 200 amp electric service. Costs usually range from $1,200 to $2,000.
The average cost to upgrade an electrical panel is between $1,200 and $2,000, but you could spend anywhere between $800 and $4,000, depending on the amperage needed for your home or whether you’re replacing or installing a brand new panel. A 200-amp service is the standard for modern homes, and you likely won’t need more unless it’s very large or also operates as a home business.
- Average
- $1,600
- Low end
- $800
- high end
- $4,000
Amperage of the Electrical Panel
The higher the amperage, which measures the strength of electrical current, the more expensive the upgrade due to increased materials, labor, and complexity of the installation.
| Panel Amperage | Cost (Panel Only) | Cost (Panel + Install) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 amps | $100–$200 | $800–$1,500 |
| 150 amps | $150–$250 | $1,300–$1,600 |
| 200 amps | $250–$350 | $1,300–$2,000 |
| 300 amps | $350–$500 | $1,800–$3,500 |
| 400 amps | $500+ | $2,000–$4,000 |
Electrician Costs
Hiring an electrician costs $1,500 on average, depending on the project. Labor takes four to eight hours at a rate between $40 and $250 per hour. This expense will make up most of your total cost, since a licensed local electrician must install your electrical panel upgrade professionally—this isn’t a safe project to DIY.
You may need to factor these costs into your budget:
Rewiring inside walls: $1,500–$12,000
Circuit breaker box upgrade: $500–$2,000
Replace a circuit breaker switch or fuse: $100–$250.
Install a subpanel: $400–$1,750
Electric meter box installation or replacement: $200 to $800
Cost to install electrical wiring or panel: $600 to $2,300
Rewiring an electric panel: $500 to $4,500
Fuse box replacement: $200 to $2,000
Additional Cost Factors
The total cost you pay to upgrade your electrical panel may depend on a few different factors.
Permits
Replacing your electrical panel will require a permit, which typically ranges from $50 to $300, depending on your location. Most electricians will handle the permit process, as most municipalities mandate that a certified electrician obtain required electrical permits. While most electricians include the permit cost in your total, it's essential to confirm that with them to avoid surprise expenses.
Additional Components
Depending on the project, you might need additional components, which typically cost less than $50. The necessary materials for upgrading your home's electrical panel may include replacing worn-out wiring, damaged circuits, old receptacles, fittings, connectors, and fasteners to secure the new panel.
However, if you decide to relocate your panel and move it further away from the electrical service connection point in your home, you may have to pay around $300 more for the additional wiring required.
Panel Location
The location of the electrical panel differs significantly from one home to another, and some locations are more accessible than others. In newer homes, the panel may be outside a weather-resistant box that is easy to access. However, if the electrical box is located indoors and your electrician needs to bore through a section of a wall to access the wiring or install new wiring, you may incur additional costs for the installation of your new panel and for necessary drywall repairs.
Upgrading vs. Repairing an Electrical Panel
The cost of replacing an electrical panel ranges from $520 to $2,200, with the average cost of around $1,300. While the most common reason for replacement is to upgrade the electrical panel, there may also be faulty parts to replace. If it’s not necessary to bump up the amperage of the electrical panel, you might consider purchasing replacement parts as an alternative.
Certain parts, such as the main breaker and fuse box, will likely have costs similar to replacing the electrical panel. In that case, it makes sense to spring for total replacement. It’s important to consider the overall lifespan of your electrical panel, and whether you might want to upgrade to a higher amperage in the future.
Compare these costs against the cost to upgrade an electrical panel or replace it:
Main breaker: $500–$2,000
Fuse box: $1,500–$2,000
Main lug panels: $400–$1,750
Subpanel: $400–$2,000
Circuit breaker switch replacement: $100–$200
Electric meter box replacement: $500–$2,100
How to Save on Electrical Panel Upgrade Costs
Budgeting for electrical work can be daunting, but you can use these tips to save on your project:
Get multiple quotes: Get a written estimate from at least three different electricians in your area.
Bundle projects: Consider making a panel upgrade during a larger home renovation project, especially if other electrical work is involved.
DIY what you can: While DIY electrical work is unsafe to attempt, with the right skills you can handle your own painting or drywall patching and repair after the work is done.
Take advantage of potential tax credits: The IRS offers a 30% tax credit (up to $600) for upgrading to a 200-amp electrical panel if it meets National Electric Code standards and supports energy-efficient improvements.
Does Upgrading an Electrical Panel Increase Home Value?
Upgrading an electrical panel won’t necessarily increase your home’s value, but it can make it easier to sell. A modern electrical panel improves safety, efficiency, and home value, making your property more appealing to potential buyers. This, in turn, can help you get the highest price when the time comes to sell.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is worth upgrading an electrical panel when you consider potential long-term savings on your energy bill and insurance costs. Older homes with a 100-amp service susceptible to overheating or blown fuses could also benefit from the upgrade. If you're running large appliances frequently (central air, heating) or have items with large electric demands (in-home saunas, hot tubs), you could benefit from installing a 300- or 400- amp service instead
In general, 200 amps is enough for a house with a square footage of up to 1,800, or the average three-bedroom home. A 200-amp service allows your home to warm and cool itself while running multiple appliances at once. It's a good option for homes that have been extended, or after adding new appliances. 200-amp service is the current standard for homes, so in most cases, it will work for you.
Most 200-amp panels are allowed 40 breaker slots, though they can accept more circuits with the installation of tandem breakers. To determine the right number of breakers for an electrical panel, panel manufacturers will give their products a rating. That rating is used to limit the number of electrical circuit breakers on the panel. You can check your panel for a rating or ask your electrician to weigh in.
It costs between $25 and $50 per foot to get electricity connected in a new house, though you may be able to connect electricity lines for free if the lines are close to your home. The average cost for a new electricity connection is around $1,000, including materials and labor. It costs between $800 and $4,000 to get a new panel installed in a new house.