The average cost to replace an electrical mast or meter riser is $750, but it can cost between $500 and $1,000, depending on the height and material costs.
The electrical mast replacement costs an average of $750, though most homeowners spend between $500 and $1,000. That price includes the cost of the new risers and hiring a local electrician to install them. After a swift and forceful storm, it may become clear your electrical meter was the target of wind or debris damage. Figuring out which parts of your unit you’re responsible for repairing can be tricky. Use this guide to help you calculate the cost to replace your electrical mast or meter riser.
You aren’t responsible for repairing damaged electrical meters (your utility company will handle that), but you are responsible for the weatherhead, meter socket, and meter riser. The meter riser—also called an electrical mast—is a pipe that protects your wires that connect your electrical meter to your utility’s power distribution system.
| Electrical Mast or Meter Riser Size | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| 1 foot | $20–$100 |
| 2 feet | $40–$200 |
| 3 feet | $80–$300 |
Electrical meter risers cost an average of $20 to $100 per linear foot. The standard length of a riser is 2 feet, making the cost per riser about $40 to $200. Most homes need several feet of risers to connect the electrical meter to the overhead power lines via the weatherhead. You typically need enough risers to ensure the weatherhead is at least 18 inches above the roof.
| Electrical Mast or Meter Riser Width | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | $20–$25 |
| 3 inches | $30–$35 |
| 4 inches | $35–$100 |
Risers cost about $20 to $25 per foot for 2-inch-wide pipes, $30 to $35 per foot for 3-inch-wide pipes, and $20 to $40 per foot for 4-inch-wide pipes. Most homes with 200-amp service will need 2-inch risers, while large homes with 400-amp service will need 4-inch risers for their electrical meter.
Replacing electrical meter risers costs between $500 and $1,000, with materials and labor making up the bulk of the project price.
For 2 feet of electric meter risers, you’ll spend about $30 to $80. The amount of risers you need depends on your home. You’ll need enough length to ensure the weatherhead at the top of the risers is at least 18 inches from the roofline.
If the risers extend more than 2 or 3 feet above the roof, you’ll also need to spend an additional $40 to $50 on a brace kit to hold the risers steady. Height limits for risers and brace requirements may vary depending on your local building codes.
Hiring an electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour. The electrician will need to turn off your electricity, disconnect the wires, remove and replace the risers, and reconnect the wires. This service may take a few hours, depending on whether other parts of the electrical meter or cables need to be fixed or replaced. The cost to relocate the meter, if necessary, will impact your final price.
Electrical work often requires additional permitting to make sure the work meets local electrical codes. You can also expect extra costs for fittings to ensure a secure and properly working electrical mast replacement. Below are some of the most common fittings that can impact the price of your project.
Permits: The cost to pull permits for electrical work ranges from $10 to $500. Usually, your electrician will pull permits for you.
Labor: The cost to hire an electrician is about $50 to $100 per hour. It could take a few hours to complete this job safely and to code.
Fittings: Fittings or extensions cost $1.50 to $10 each, and a brace kit will cost about $50. These additional elements may be necessary to connect the risers to the electric meter or weatherhead or secure the riser.
Wires: A reputable electrician will suggest disconnecting, replacing, and reconnecting the electrical cables when replacing the riser, which costs about $250. Tree and debris that fall on your unit could stretch or crack the wires, rendering them useless. Replacing wires and cables costs $750 to over $2,500.
Due to the nature of the installation, you should not attempt to replace an electrical mast yourself. Doing so is dangerous, and could result in electrocution or electrical fires.
To be on the safe side, hire a professional electrician near you to safely and correctly replace your electrical meter riser. Since labor takes around two hours to complete, anticipate spending around $100 to $200 total in labor.
Electrical meter risers connect your home’s electrical meter to overhead power lines so you can receive electrical service from the grid. Electrical meters also have a weatherhead, which protects the utility lines connected to your home’s electrical system via the service entrance cable. Risers connect the weatherhead to your electrical meter socket, which connects to the meter.
Many homes have a 200-amp service, which requires a 2-inch electrical meter riser. Larger homes or homes that require more energy for several appliances and devices may have a 400-amp service. For 400-amp service, opt for a 4-inch electrical meter riser.
A weatherhead, the meter base, the breaker box, and a meter panel are all vital components of a working meter riser. If one part of the system is faulty, it could damage other parts, so consider having an electrician inspect the entire unit. The cost to replace the meter panel alone may cost $500 to $1,000, so consider this in your budget for replacing the meter riser.
The cost to replace a weatherhead is around $10 to $40 for the materials. As the name suggests, a weatherhead or weathercap is a weatherproof mechanism that prevents water from entering your electrical mast pipes. This rounded cap sits atop your electrical meter riser like a visor, protecting the electrical system from rain, snow, hail, and other potential damage.
Replacing a meter lug is around $10 on average. Single-port lugs tend to cost less than multiple-port lugs. Meter lugs are part of the meter system that connect the wires of your electrical cables to the meter’s fuse socket. These electrical connectors or bolts ensure that your cable stays securely fastened in place.
