The average cost to replace an outside electrical box runs between $500 to $5,000. More powerful boxes will cost more, and the price could go up if rewiring is necessary.
The cost of replacing an outside electrical box runs between $500 to $5,000 on average, though most homeowners will spend around $1,000. But if you own a large home with a 400-amp box, your replacement project could cost as much as $5,000. Your outside meter box connects your home to power from the utility company and tracks your home's electrical usage. You may need a replacement if your meter box is outdated, and the total cost mostly depends on the number of circuits the meter serves. Learn more about the costs involved in replacement.
An electrical meter box is an important component of most electrical systems—it holds the electrical meter, which measures the amount of energy your home uses.
The cost of the electrical meter box itself is usually around $50 to $500, but it varies based on the type of electric meter box, its strength (measured in amperes or amps), and its features.
100 amps: $50–$200
150 amps: $50–$200
200 amps: $100–$350
400 amps: $400–$600
Extra features might include fittings, connectors, and fasteners, which usually amount to less than $100.
The amount of amps in your electric meter box will affect the total project cost. Typically, replacing a 100-amp electrical meter box ranges from around $500 to $1,500. 100-amp boxes are popular for smaller homes and are a necessary replacement when the current box can’t meet the home’s needs. In addition, as homes increase their demands—thanks to all of the new home technologies—they often need to upgrade their amp service.
Replacing a 150-amp box costs between $500 to $1,750. This is a common electrical meter box option for most homes across the country.
It’s more common for larger homes to have 200-amp and 400-amp electrical meter boxes. Replacing a 200-amp box usually costs between $750 and $2,000, while replacing a 400-amp box ranges from $1,500 to $5,000.
Replacing an electrical meter box requires hiring an electrician to handle this complex and hazardous task. When hiring an electrician, you should expect to pay somewhere around $50 to $100 per hour, with the total labor price amounting to $200 to $2,000. Electricians have the professional skills, knowledge, and experience to tackle an electrical meter box replacement and answer any of your questions throughout the process.
There are various factors that influence the cost to replace your outside electrical meter boxes, and below are the major ones.
Home electric meters can be in several locations, including outside for easy access or next to the electrical panel or breaker box. But there’s a caveat about electric meter location: You can’t always change it. Electric meter locations may be mandated by local building codes and agreements with power utilities. The power company may charge you a fee for moving it, or may not let you move it. If you can move the meter, expect it to cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
However, there is another option: You can move your electrical panel to a new location if it was installed beside the meter. This is a big project, requiring a professional electrician, and can cost between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the next panel location.
If your electrical meter box is more than 10 years old, contains mercury, or doesn’t meet the upgraded requirements of your electrical code, you may need a full replacement. Newer digital boxes give a more accurate record of electrical usage down to the date and time. This lets you identify peak usage hours and find ways to cut back, ultimately saving you money.
The condition of your electrical meter box can impact whether or not replacement is necessary. A damaged meter box should be replaced not only so you can properly monitor your energy use, but also for the safety of your home. Replacing or upgrading your meter box could also help your system run more efficiently and lower your home energy costs.
The amperage, or AMPs, of an electrical system will affect the meter size needed. While larger meters increase costs, they're also better suited to power larger homes. If you own an electric vehicle or have other high-energy needs, you either have or should upgrade to a system with an amperage of at least 200. Find common meter sizes and their average costs in the table below.
In addition to the cost of the meter box itself, which typically runs between $50 and $200, you may need to pay for additional parts and materials for installation. This can include connectors, fittings, and fasteners, which usually cost less than $100 altogether.
A digital meter replaces old analog meters and dials with digital readouts, and may improve accuracy or upgrade measuring techniques. Like moving an electric meter, you may not be able to upgrade it yourself—your power company may control this aspect of your electrical system. If you can get permission to upgrade to a digital model, expect it to cost between $100 and $300, plus labor.
A smart meter includes advanced features that allow remote access and monitoring. With smart meters, utility workers don’t have to walk around your property to access the meter, and the utility company may be able to find ways for you to save electricity.
Utility companies handle smart meter installation, usually for free. If you install your own smart meter, it will cost between $200 and $500.
Some power companies use the terms “smart meter” and “digital meter” interchangeably. A digital meter only has digital readouts while a smart meter has additional power measurements and remote connection options, but the two often go hand-in-hand.
If you don’t want a smart meter, you have the option to get it removed or decline its use. However, it usually requires a payment if the utility company allows it. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for this option. Contact your utility company for more information.
You’ll likely need to get a permit for any sort of electrical panel work, ranging in cost from $50 to $300. This is definitely not a step to skip—if you don’t have proper permits, you could run into issues such as costly fines.
Any additional labor requests will likely increase the total project cost. For example, people often request a subpanel, which is necessary when your main electric panel is full and you need more circuits. The cost to install a subpanel ranges from $400 to $1,750.
Additionally, some homeowners request a service entrance cable installed—these are electrical cables that bring in power to residential buildings and homes from electrical companies. The cost to install a service entrance cable is around $1,000 to $15,000 for overhead lines, but it can be up to $5,000 or more for underground lines.
Meter box replacement is typically part of a larger project that may involve adding or replacing several other parts of your electrical system.
The cost of a meter box unit alone is $50 to $250. You’ll find this lockable, weather-resistant box on the outside of a home. Expect to pay for between one and four hours of labor to have a meter box installed.
Replacing the breaker switch for an electrical system costs $150 to $200 on average, including both the switch itself and the labor to install it. This small switch sits inside your home's electrical panel and protects it from damage caused by overcurrent or a short circuit.
You'll pay between $400 and $1,750 per subpanel. These are typically installed near the main panel to increase your system's total amperage or add circuits. They're ideal when you need to distribute power to a specific area, such as a secondary building on your property. This can include workshops, detached garages, in-law suites, in-ground pools, and more.
When considering the potential safety hazards, electrical meter box replacement is usually best left to a professional and licensed electrician. In addition to experience and knowledge of code requirements, they'll have insurance on hand if anything goes wrong.
However, in some situations, replacing your outside electrical meter box can be a DIY if you consider yourself to have advanced electrical skills. You’ll need to check with your city’s utility department for any project permits before proceeding.
If you’re looking to save money on a meter box project, we have a few tips to help you budget effectively:
Get multiple quotes: For large electrical projects, contact a few electricians for different estimates to find the best deal and value.
Find deals for solar power: Some utility companies offer discounts or rebates for installing a new electric meter if you combine it with an energy-saving solar power project.
Look into energy incentives from your provider: Some power providers and states may offer tax incentives and discounts for upgrading to a smart meter or making similar changes to your meter.
Research necessary amperage: If you think your home needs more amps, ask an experienced professional for suggestions based on home size and electrical needs.
While your electrical meter box is not usually a hot selling point for future homebuyers, it’s an essential component of your home that can increase its value. Since replacing an electrical meter box is a major upgrade, it can assure future buyers that the home’s electrical systems are well-maintained and working properly. Consult a local electrician to determine the estimated ROI of a new electrical meter box in your area.
On average, it takes from four to eight hours to replace an outside electrical meter box, not including rewiring. It will take a few more hours if the project requires pros to do any rewiring work. Consult your local electrician about a time estimate for your specific project.
Replacing your electrical meter box is critical because it helps prevent damage to your home’s electrical system or possible safety hazards. Plus, you won’t have to deal with frequent power tripping, flickering lights, or the scorched scents that an old or damaged meter box may cause.
Some warning signs that your electrical meter box is overloaded include frequent circuit tripping, scorch or burn marks, and flickering lights. You may also notice a burning scent coming from the electrical panel. Keep in mind that a circuit breaker trips as a protection measure; it turns itself off to prevent potential fires.
Your breaker box houses the breakers that control the circuits in your home, shutting them off if they overload or experience similar problems. Your meter box houses your electrical meter that monitors the electricity flowing into your house and measures its use for your utility company.
In some cases, both components are in the same box, but they don’t have to be together. Many homes have them split, with the breaker box inside for easier access and the electric meter outside.
The standard amp service is 200 amps, but it’s common for larger houses to need 300- to 400-amps to power all appliances and electronics. You can determine the necessary amperage for your home by totaling the energy used by everything in your home, from the HVAC system to surge protectors. Consult a local electrician for a professional opinion on the right amperage for your home.
Moving an electrical meter in your home depends on what your electric utility company allows. If you only want to move it a few inches, that may be no problem or only incur light fees. If you want to move it a significant distance, you may need to arrange a utility inspection and get permission, or your utility company may prevent it altogether.
