Cost guide
Electrical panel upgrade cost
Updated · Breakerwick editorial
Short answer
Published national figures for a panel upgrade run from under $1,000 for a simple swap to $5,000 or more when the utility line, meter socket or panel location also has to change. The spread reflects scope more than regional pricing: a panel swap and a full service upgrade are different jobs.
What published cost guides report
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Panel upgrade, typical | $800 to $3,000, national average about $1,800 | Inch Calculator |
| 100-amp panel | $800 to $1,000 | Inch Calculator |
| 200-amp panel | $1,500 to $3,000 | Inch Calculator |
| 200-amp upgrade where the utility line must also be upgraded | Up to about $5,000 | Inch Calculator |
| 400-amp panel | About $4,000 | Inch Calculator |
| Subpanel | $500 to $1,000 | Inch Calculator |
| Permit | $50 to $350 or more | Inch Calculator |
These are figures published by third-party consumer cost guides, checked on October 7, 2026. They are not quotes, and Breakerwick does not set prices. Published guides disagree with each other because they assume different scopes. Only a written quote from a contractor who has seen the job reflects your house. The Inch Calculator page carried an update date of August 2023 when checked, and contractor-published guides from 2026 commonly quote $2,500 to $8,000 for a full 100 to 200-amp service upgrade, so treat the lower figures as a floor.
Why two quotes for the same house can be thousands apart
A lower quote often covers
- New panel and breakers only
- Existing meter socket and service cable reused
- Existing grounding left as found
- No wall repair
A higher quote often covers
- New meter socket, service cable and mast or riser
- New grounding electrodes and bonding
- AFCI or GFCI breakers and surge protection where the local code now requires them
- Permit, inspection and utility coordination
Ask each contractor to list what is replaced and what is reused. See panel replacement versus service upgrade.
The items that move the total
- Service size
- Going from 100 to 200 amps replaces more equipment than a like-for-like swap.
- Overhead or underground
- Underground services can add trenching and conduit.
- Meter relocation
- Required by some utilities when the existing position no longer meets clearance rules.
- Utility-side work
- Some utilities charge for a larger service drop or transformer; many do not for a standard residential upgrade.
- Breaker types
- AFCI and dual-function breakers cost several times as much as standard ones, and a panel can hold thirty or more.
- Condition found
- Aluminum branch wiring, short conductors and missing grounds all add labor at the new panel.
What a complete quote states
- Amperage and panel
- Service size, panel brand and number of spaces.
- What is replaced
- Meter socket, service cable, mast, grounding, and how many breakers of which type.
- Permit and inspection
- Who applies and whether the fee is included.
- Utility coordination
- Who schedules the disconnect and reconnect, and any utility fee.
- Exclusions
- Wall, stucco or siding repair, and any wiring repairs found once the old panel is out.
- License and insurance
- The contractor's license number, to check with the issuing board. See how to hire an electrician.
Sources and incentives
Federal, state and utility incentives for panel upgrades connected to electrification have changed several times. Do not budget around a credit or rebate until you have confirmed the current rules with your utility, your state energy office or a tax professional.
Panel cost questions
Is the permit included in the price?
Sometimes. Ask. Published permit fees range from about $50 to $350 or more depending on the jurisdiction.
Is a subpanel cheaper than an upgrade?
Yes, usually by a wide margin, but it only helps if the service has spare capacity. See subpanel installation.
Why did my quote come in above the published range?
Published ranges often describe the panel alone. A full service upgrade with meter, mast, grounding and code-required breakers is a larger job.
This guide is general information, not professional, legal or insurance advice. Electrical codes, permit rules and prices vary by location. Have a licensed electrician assess your installation, and confirm requirements with your local permit office.
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