If your outside electrical meter box has sustained wear and tear, it might be time for a replacement. How much it costs to replace an electrical meter box depends on labor, model, and box type.
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel? [2026 Data]
Electrical service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights:
Professional electrical panel upgrades cost between $1,200 and $2,000 for your home, and amperage drives your total price.
The age of your home and current panel location determine drywall repairs or new wiring needs for your upgrade.
Remember to account for the cost of building permits and potential exterior meter box upgrades when you create your project budget.
Hiring a local electrical professional prevents fire hazards and ensures all connections meet the local building code for your home.
In 2026, the national average cost to upgrade an electrical panel is $1,600. Most homeowners pay between $1,200 and $2,000, with the spread driven by amperage requirements, panel location, and whether new wiring or drywall repairs are needed.
Electrical Panel Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?
Your current system's size, placement, and age are the primary factors determining the final cost of upgrading your electrical panel. The panel's capacity reflects how your home is used and how it's laid out, meaning two homes with identical square footage can have very different upgrade costs depending on their electrical demands.
Amperage Cost
Higher amperage, which measures the strength of the electrical current, directly increases upgrade costs due to higher material and labor requirements and greater installation complexity. Upgrading to 200-amp service is more budget-friendly than stepping up to 400-amp service. The table below compares the cost of the panel alone and the cost of the panel plus installation across five amperage levels, from 100 to 400 amps:
| Panel Amperage | Average Cost (Panel Only) in 2026 | Average Cost (Panel + Install) in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Electrical Panel
The layout, size, and amperage of your electrical panel all factor into the cost, with prices varying by panel type, placement, and the number of spaces it offers. Standard home panels typically have between 12 and 30 spaces, each accommodating one circuit breaker, though tandem designs can fit two breakers per slot, effectively doubling the circuit capacity. Panel costs alone depend on which configuration best fits your home's needs, as the breakdown below shows:
| Number of Spaces | Average Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 12 spaces; 12–24 circuits | $60–$250 |
| 16 spaces; 16–32 circuits | $80–$300 |
| 20 spaces | $90–$500 |
| 30 spaces | $100–$600 |
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers come in standard, tandem, or AFCI/GFCI configurations, and the cost of each breaker varies based on its amperage and type. The switches themselves range from $5 to $40 each on average, with a standard 15-amp breaker averaging around $8 on the low end and high-amperage AFCI/GFCI breakers reaching $70 or more. When you factor in installation, replacing a breaker runs $100 to $200 total.
Installation Cost Factors for Upgrading an Electrical Panel
Several variables can affect the total cost to upgrade your electrical panel, from labor and permits to the panel's location and any additional components your project requires.
Electrician Costs
Hiring an electrician costs $1,500 on average, with labor running $40 to $250 per hour for four to eight hours of work, depending on the scope of the project. Because a licensed local electrician must handle this work professionally, labor will make up the majority of your total project cost.
You may also 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–$800
Cost to install electrical wiring or panel: $600–$2,300
Rewiring an electric panel: $500–$4,500
Fuse box replacement: $200–$2,000
Permits
Replacing your electrical panel requires a permit that costs $50 to $300 depending on your location, and most municipalities require a certified electrician to obtain it. Most electricians include the permit fee in their total quote, but confirming this upfront is essential to avoid unexpected expenses.
Additional Components
Additional components for an electrical panel upgrade—such as replacing worn-out wiring, damaged circuits, old receptacles, fittings, connectors, and fasteners—typically cost less than $50 in materials. If you choose to relocate the panel further from the electrical service connection point, however, expect to pay around $300 more for the additional wiring required.
Panel Location
Panel location varies significantly from home to home and directly impacts your total installation cost. In newer homes, the panel is often housed in an exterior weather-resistant box that is easy to access, keeping labor straightforward. If the panel is located indoors and your electrician needs to bore through a wall to access or install wiring, you can expect additional costs for both the installation work and any necessary drywall repairs.
Pro Tip
It must be noted that even though you installed a new 200-amp-rated panel, the exterior wire and meter box is still only rated at 100-amp or 150-amp and will need to be upgraded to 200-amps to get the full benefit of your new panel
Upgrading vs. Repairing an Electrical Panel
The cost of replacing an electrical panel ranges from $520 to $2,200, with an average of around $1,300. The most common reason homeowners pursue this project is to upgrade their service capacity. If a full amperage upgrade isn't necessary, replacing individual faulty parts is an option, though certain components like the main breaker and fuse box can cost nearly as much as a full replacement on their own. When that's the case, a complete replacement often makes more financial sense, especially if you anticipate needing higher amperage in the future. The cost comparison below can help you weigh your options.
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
According to data from Angi customers, most wiring and panel projects (65.7%) involve upgrades to existing service. Upgrading service can be helpful if you've recently installed several new appliances, need an electric vehicle charger, or are constantly experiencing breaker trips. On the other hand, 34.3% of people need general electrical repairs, such as fixing blown fuses and flickering lights. If any of this sounds familiar, contact an electrician for assistance.
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 electricians in your area.
Bundle projects: Consider upgrading a panel during a larger home renovation project, especially if other electrical work is involved.
DIY what you can: While DIY electrical work is unsafe, with the right skills, you can handle your own painting or drywall patching and repair after the job is done.
Take advantage of potential tax credits: The IRS offers a 30% tax credit (up to $600) for upgrading to a 200-amp 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 selling easier. 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.
Why You Should Hire an Electrician
If you hire an electrician near you, you'll spend $40 to $250 per hour, for a total of $1,500 on average. Materials make up very little of the cost, with labor taking up roughly 95% of the project's cost. This may seem like a major investment, but the risks of electrocution and house fires from a botched DIY installation could lead to serious harm or high repair costs.
Here's why it's ideal to hire an electrical panel pro
Upgrading an electrical panel is a complex project, so here's why you should hire an electrician:
Electrical updates can be difficult to install if you've never worked with electrical circuits before.
Even with prior experience, DIY electrical work can lead to electrocution, circuit damage, power outages, and house fires.
Many locations require you to work with a licensed and certified electrician for major electrical work.
Incorrectly installing an electrical panel can mean your house is not up to code.
Old, worn wires may need replacing, which can be a major project.
Trained electricians know all the ins and outs of upgrading electrical panels so that they're up to code, safe, and under warranty.
Some homes need 30 or more spaces for electrical panels, which can take longer to install.
Your pro can acquire the proper permits for your particular municipality.
Pros have the equipment and skills to access hard-to-reach electrical panel locations.
If you want to DIY an electrical panel upgrade
If you still want to flex your DIY skills, you can help out by focusing on smaller tasks, like the following:
Locating your existing electrical panel
Shutting off the circuit breaker when the pro arrives
Clearing space to increase accessibility
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Identify any signs that your home needs a new electrical panel so that your pro can confirm that it’s the right move for your electrical system.
Consider the amount of amperage your electrical panel should have for your existing and future electrical needs.
Discuss how many spaces your new electrical panel requires in order to support the correct number of circuits.
Check with your pro to see if you need additional upgrades to make your home up-to-code and safe.
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 [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 111 total reviews
- Rob H.
I recently had Mosby Electric perform an electrical installation on 8-14-2026, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service. From the moment I called, their team demonstrated fast arrival and professionalism. The electricians were highly knowledgeable, completing the installation...
Mosby Electric - Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - Regina H.
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
ARMSTRONG ELECTRIC, LLC - Jeffrey J.
The techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - William R.
Victor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLC - Jerald W.
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
JCB & Associates, LLC DBA Property-Tech Industries - Paul H.
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLC - Sarah C.
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
- Erin W.
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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