How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in 2026?

By Michael JohnsonUpdated November 11, 202610 sources comparedHow we estimate

Most homeowners pay $1,500 to $4,000 to upgrade an electrical panel, and a typical 100-to-200-amp upgrade averages about $2,250 installed. That figure is the mean of three national estimates: Angi ($1,600 for a 200-amp upgrade), This Old House ($2,150) and Fixr ($3,000). What moves the price most is the amperage you're going to, whether the utility side (meter, service drop, service entrance cable) has to be upgraded too, and how much code work the old panel needs.

Typical cost: $1,500–$4,000
National average: $2,250
Full range: $800–$12,000

The typical range covers a 100-to-200-amp panel upgrade or a same-size panel replacement with permit, new breakers and a basic meter connection; 400-amp services, panel relocation and utility-side work push jobs toward the national high. Prices are per project.

Electrical panel upgrade cost by amperage

The table compiles installed prices (panel plus labor) from four cost guides. The QuoteRuler range is where those sources overlap for a typical house.

New service size	Installed cost in sources	QuoteRuler typical range
100 amp	$800–$1,500 (This Old House); $1,200–$1,800 (Fixr); $850–$1,600 (HomeGuide)	$800–$1,800
150 amp	$1,300–$1,600 (Angi); $1,500–$2,800 (Fixr)	$1,300–$2,800
200 amp	$1,300–$3,000 (This Old House); $1,200–$2,000 (Angi); $1,800–$4,500 (Fixr); $1,300–$2,500 (HomeGuide)	$1,500–$4,000
300 amp	$1,800–$3,500 (This Old House, Angi); $3,500–$7,500 (Fixr)	$2,000–$7,500
400 amp	$2,000–$4,000 (This Old House, Angi, HomeGuide); $8,000–$12,000 (Fixr)	$4,000–$12,000

The spread comes mostly from scope. Angi and HomeGuide figures lean toward panel swaps where the service wires and meter can stay. Fixr's upgrade prices assume more new equipment and rewiring, and its $12,000 high end is a 100-to-400-amp job with a relocated panel. HomeAdvisor's older dataset (last updated in 2022, with a $1,286 average) runs lower still, so we treat it as a floor rather than a current price.

Estimate your cost

Choose the panel work you need, tick any extra items your electrician or utility has mentioned, and see an estimated installed range.

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$800$12,000

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Ranges come from the sources listed at the end of this guide. The labor portion is adjusted for your state with BEA price data. Your final price depends on site conditions and local codes.

Panel replacement vs. service upgrade

These two jobs get lumped together, but they're priced differently:

Panel replacement swaps the breaker box for a new one at the same amperage, usually because the old panel is damaged, full or obsolete. Fixr puts replacement at $1,000 to $3,500 and upgrades at $1,500 to $5,000.
Service upgrade raises the amperage of the whole service. Besides the panel, it can mean a new meter base ($200–$800, HomeAdvisor and Fixr), new service entrance cable ($1,000–$1,500 for overhead runs, $5,000 or more for underground, HomeAdvisor) and coordination with your utility to disconnect and reconnect power.

If the utility has to replace the service drop or the transformer serving your street, costs can climb much higher. Rewiring America cites $5,000 to $25,000 for service upgrades or transformer replacement, especially where wires run underground. Utilities handle that work under their own rules, and some cover it while others bill the homeowner, so ask yours before you sign a contract.

400-amp service upgrade cost

A 400-amp service is mostly for large homes, or for homes adding several big loads at once, such as two EV chargers, a heat pump, an electric water heater and a pool. Sources range from $2,000–$4,000 for the panel and install (This Old House, Angi) to $8,000–$12,000 for a full upgrade (Fixr). The panel box alone runs $500 or more (This Old House) up to $1,700–$2,500 (Fixr), and HomeAdvisor estimates 8 to 20 hours of labor. Many utilities require a larger meter setup and new conductors for 400 amps, which is why the high end is so high.

Subpanel cost

A subpanel adds breaker space in a garage, addition or workshop without replacing the main panel. Installed subpanels cost $400 to $1,750 (HomeAdvisor, This Old House), with HomeGuide's examples at $452 for 40 amps and $482 for 50 amps. A subpanel doesn't add capacity, though. If your main service is already near its limit, you still need a load calculation and possibly a service upgrade.

Smart panel cost

Smart panels such as SPAN and Lumin let you monitor and switch circuits from an app and shed loads automatically. SolarReviews lists SPAN hardware at $2,550 to $4,100 (2026 MSRP) and installed prices from $3,500 to $5,500 in Southern California, up to $5,500 to $8,000 in Connecticut. Lumin hardware is about $1,850, with installed estimates of $3,000 to $8,000. They cost more than a standard panel, but load management can sometimes let a home add an EV charger or heat pump without moving to a larger service.

Labor vs. materials

The panel itself is the smaller part of the bill. A 200-amp panel box costs $250 to $400 (This Old House, Fixr), and HomeGuide notes that most homeowners spend about $160 on the panel unit. Breakers, a meter base, grounding and wire add to that, but labor dominates.

Fixr estimates labor at 40% to 60% of the total, with electricians charging $40 to $120 an hour and a standard job taking 4 to 8 hours with two electricians. Angi says labor makes up the large majority of a 200-amp project. We use a labor share of 55% for our state adjustment, toward the high end of Fixr's range, because the hardware for a standard upgrade costs only a few hundred dollars while the remaining materials (meter base, cable, breakers) vary by job.

What drives the price up or down

Utility-side work. A new meter base, overhead or underground service entrance cable, or a transformer upgrade is the biggest swing factor (see above).
Moving the panel. Relocating it inside the home costs $1,000 to $3,000, and moving it outdoors $1,500 to $2,500 (HomeAdvisor). This Old House gives $800 to $3,000.
Code updates. Inspectors may require arc-fault (AFCI) or ground-fault (GFCI) breakers on some circuits, at $35 to $60 per breaker (This Old House) or $50 to $100 for AFCI breakers (Fixr). Grounding upgrades run about $1.50 per linear foot of copper (HomeAdvisor).
Rewiring. Rewiring the panel itself costs $500 to $4,500 (HomeAdvisor, Fixr). If old circuits are unsafe, a whole-house rewire runs $12,000 to $20,000, or $6 to $10 per square foot (HomeAdvisor).
Fuse box conversion. Replacing a fuse box with a breaker panel costs $1,500 to $4,500 (Fixr), more if the wiring behind it is original.
Wall access. Opening and patching drywall costs $300 to $900 (HomeAdvisor).
Indoor vs. outdoor panel. Fixr puts indoor panels at $1,200 to $4,000 installed and outdoor panels at $1,500 to $4,500.

Federal Pacific, Zinsco and other problem panels

Some older panels draw attention from home inspectors and insurers. The best known is Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok. In 1983, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission closed its investigation of FPE breakers. CPSC testing found that some of the breakers failed certain UL calibration tests. The agency stopped short of a safety determination, saying it lacked the data and funding to finish the work, and it did not order a recall. A 2011 note on the release says the case was closed without deciding whether the breakers are safe.

Zinsco (later Sylvania-Zinsco) panels are another brand that This Old House and HomeGuide list as outdated panels worth replacing. HomeAdvisor prices FPE or Zinsco panel replacement at $1,500 to $4,000, and Fixr says these jobs cost about the same as any other replacement. If an inspector flags your panel, have a licensed electrician evaluate it rather than relying on the brand name alone.

When do you need a panel upgrade?

Common triggers include:

Adding big electric loads. A Level 2 EV charger, a heat pump, an induction range or an electric water heater each needs its own 240-volt circuit. Rewiring America says homes with 100 to 150 amps can usually be fully electrified with careful planning, while homes above 150 amps usually can without an upgrade. Panels under 100 amps (40 or 60 amps) are the most likely to need one.
No breaker space left, or double-tapped breakers.
Signs of trouble: breakers that trip often, scorch marks, a warm panel, a burning smell or corrosion.
A fuse box or a panel brand your inspector or insurer won't accept.
Solar or battery storage. Adding solar panels can require a panel with a higher bus rating.

An electrician should run a load calculation before recommending an upgrade. For EV charging specifically, our EV charger installation cost guide covers load-sharing options that can avoid one.

Electrical panel upgrade cost by state

Electrician rates vary widely, and local contractor pages in Texas, California and the Northeast often quote well above the national figures. The table below starts from our national range, compiled from the sources above, and adjusts the labor portion (55%) using the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for each state.

Typical installed cost by state. Labor share 55% adjusted with BEA Regional Price Parities 2023.
State	Typical range	Average	vs. U.S.
Alabama	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.5%
Alaska	$1,500–$4,050	$2,250	+0.9%
Arizona	$1,500–$4,000	$2,250	+0.6%
Arkansas	$1,400–$3,700	$2,100	-7.4%
California	$1,600–$4,300	$2,400	+6.9%
Colorado	$1,500–$4,050	$2,250	+0.8%
Connecticut	$1,550–$4,100	$2,300	+2.0%
Delaware	$1,500–$4,000	$2,250	-0.4%
District of Columbia	$1,600–$4,250	$2,400	+5.9%
Florida	$1,550–$4,100	$2,300	+1.9%
Georgia	$1,450–$3,950	$2,200	-1.8%
Hawaii	$1,550–$4,200	$2,350	+4.7%
Idaho	$1,450–$3,800	$2,150	-4.7%
Illinois	$1,500–$4,000	$2,250	-0.6%
Indiana	$1,450–$3,850	$2,150	-4.3%
Iowa	$1,400–$3,750	$2,100	-6.2%
Kansas	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.5%
Kentucky	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.2%
Louisiana	$1,400–$3,750	$2,100	-6.4%
Maine	$1,500–$3,950	$2,200	-1.6%
Maryland	$1,550–$4,100	$2,300	+2.2%
Massachusetts	$1,550–$4,200	$2,350	+4.5%
Michigan	$1,450–$3,850	$2,200	-3.2%
Minnesota	$1,500–$3,950	$2,250	-0.9%
Mississippi	$1,400–$3,700	$2,100	-7.0%
Missouri	$1,450–$3,800	$2,150	-4.5%
Montana	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.4%
Nebraska	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.3%
Nevada	$1,500–$3,950	$2,200	-1.7%
New Hampshire	$1,550–$4,100	$2,300	+2.9%
New Jersey	$1,550–$4,200	$2,350	+4.9%
New Mexico	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.3%
New York	$1,550–$4,150	$2,350	+4.2%
North Carolina	$1,450–$3,850	$2,200	-3.2%
North Dakota	$1,400–$3,750	$2,100	-6.3%
Ohio	$1,450–$3,800	$2,150	-4.5%
Oklahoma	$1,400–$3,750	$2,100	-6.4%
Oregon	$1,550–$4,100	$2,300	+2.6%
Pennsylvania	$1,500–$3,950	$2,200	-1.4%
Rhode Island	$1,500–$4,050	$2,250	+0.8%
South Carolina	$1,450–$3,850	$2,150	-3.7%
South Dakota	$1,400–$3,750	$2,100	-6.5%
Tennessee	$1,450–$3,850	$2,150	-4.1%
Texas	$1,500–$3,950	$2,200	-1.5%
Utah	$1,450–$3,900	$2,200	-2.7%
Vermont	$1,450–$3,950	$2,200	-1.9%
Virginia	$1,500–$4,000	$2,250	+0.4%
Washington	$1,550–$4,200	$2,350	+4.7%
West Virginia	$1,400–$3,800	$2,100	-5.6%
Wisconsin	$1,450–$3,850	$2,150	-3.8%
Wyoming	$1,400–$3,800	$2,150	-5.1%

Utility fees and permit costs aren't captured by the state multiplier, so add them separately once your utility tells you what its side of the job requires.

DIY vs. hiring a licensed electrician

A panel or service upgrade is not a DIY job. It involves the service conductors, which stay live even with the main breaker off, and most jurisdictions require a licensed electrician, a permit and an inspection before the utility will reconnect power. Fixr puts permits at $50 to $300 or more, with an initial inspection at $125 to $250 where it's billed separately. Unpermitted panel work can also cause problems with insurance claims and home sales.

Repair vs. replace: A single failed breaker costs $100 to $250 to replace (HomeAdvisor), and a main breaker $200 to $300 (This Old House). If the bus bar or other internal parts are damaged, This Old House puts the repair at $500 to $2,000, which is close enough to a new panel that replacement usually makes more sense.

How to save money on a panel upgrade

Know the federal credit has ended. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) once covered 30% of a qualifying 200-amp-or-larger panelboard installed with other energy property, up to $600. The IRS says it does not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Check state and utility programs. Some utilities and state energy offices run electrification or EV-readiness programs that include panel work. Search the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder and your utility's website before you hire anyone, since many programs require pre-approval.
Consider load management first. If the upgrade is only for an EV charger or heat pump, ask about a load-management device, a circuit-sharing setup or a smart panel. In some homes these avoid a service upgrade and utility fees.
Combine projects. If you're adding solar, a whole-house generator or a heat pump in the next few years, size the panel once and have the work done in one permit.
Get at least three itemized quotes for the same amperage and scope.

How to compare electrician quotes

A fair quote should state:

The new panel's brand, amperage, bus rating and number of spaces.
Whether the meter base, service entrance cable and grounding are being replaced, and who coordinates with the utility.
Permit and inspection fees.
Code work included: AFCI/GFCI breakers, surge protection, bonding and grounding.
Drywall or siding repair, if the panel is moved or walls are opened.
Labor warranty terms.

Red flags: a quote far below the others that leaves out the permit or the meter; an electrician who won't do a load calculation; pressure to go to 400 amps without explaining why; or no mention of the utility disconnect, which every service upgrade needs.

Hidden costs people forget

Utility fees for disconnecting and reconnecting power or upgrading the service drop.
Underground service: trenching, about $6 per linear foot (Bob Vila), plus conduit and restoration.
Drywall, stucco or siding patching around a relocated panel.
Spoiled food and downtime: expect the power to be off for most of a workday.
Surprise wiring problems found when the old panel comes off, such as aluminum branch wiring or ungrounded circuits.
Load-calculation or design fees for 400-amp or larger jobs.

Bottom line

A standard 100-to-200-amp panel upgrade usually costs $1,500 to $4,000, and about $2,250 is a realistic national midpoint. A same-size replacement can come in lower, while a 400-amp service or a job needing utility-side work can reach $12,000 or more. The 25C tax credit ended after 2025, so check for utility programs and consider load management before committing to a bigger service. Get itemized quotes that spell out the meter, utility coordination and permit.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a breaker box?

Replacing a breaker box at the same amperage typically costs about $1,000 to $3,500 installed (Fixr), and HomeGuide puts a typical breaker box replacement at a $1,475 national average. Costs rise if the meter base, service cable or grounding also need replacing, or if the panel is moved.

How much does it cost to upgrade from 100 to 200 amps?

A 100-to-200-amp upgrade usually costs $1,300 to $4,500 installed across our sources: Angi averages $1,600, This Old House gives $1,300–$3,000 and Fixr $1,800–$4,500. Expect the higher end if the utility requires a new meter base or service entrance cable.

What is the 80% rule for electrical panels?

It refers to keeping continuous loads, those running three hours or more like EV charging, at no more than 80% of a breaker's rating. That's why a 50-amp circuit is used for a charger drawing 40 amps. Electricians also use a full load calculation, not just the 80% rule, to decide whether a panel or service needs upgrading.

Can you upgrade an electrical panel without rewiring the house?

Usually, yes. A panel upgrade replaces the breaker box and often the service equipment, and existing branch circuits are reconnected to the new panel. Rewiring is only needed if the old circuits are damaged, unsafe or too short to reach a relocated panel; panel rewiring alone runs about $500 to $4,500 (HomeAdvisor, Fixr).

Should a 50-year-old electrical panel be replaced?

Age alone doesn't force a replacement, but a panel that old is often a fuse box, an obsolete brand, or too small for modern loads. Have a licensed electrician inspect it, especially if you see scorch marks, corrosion, frequent trips or a brand your inspector flags, such as Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco.

Are Federal Pacific panels dangerous?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found in its 1980–1983 investigation that some FPE Stab-Lok breakers failed certain UL calibration tests, but it closed the case without deciding whether they are a safety hazard and did not order a recall. Many inspectors and insurers still flag these panels, and replacement typically costs $1,500 to $4,000 (HomeAdvisor).

Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?

Not always. Rewiring America says homes with more than 150 amps can usually add electric appliances and an EV charger without an upgrade, and 100- to 150-amp homes often can with planning. A load calculation, a lower-amperage charger setting or a load-management device can sometimes avoid a $1,500 to $3,000 service upgrade.

Sources

We compared these sources to build the QuoteRuler range. State figures adjust the labor portion (55% of the total) using the BEA Regional Price Parities.

Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel — This Old House. Used for: Updated March 31, 2026. Typical range $800–$4,000; most 200A upgrades $1,300–$3,000 (average $2,150); installed by amperage 100A $800–$1,500, 200A $1,300–$3,000, 300A $1,800–$3,500, 400A $2,000–$4,000; new installs 100A $1,200–$1,600 through 400A $4,000–$6,000; panel-only prices (200A $250–$350, 400A $500+); subpanel $400–$1,750; meter box unit $50–$250; permits $50–$300; main breaker $200–$300; bus bar repair $500–$2,000; AFCI/GFCI breakers $35–$60; panel move $800–$3,000; lists FPE and Zinsco as outdated panels..
How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Upgrade an Electrical Panel? — Fixr. Used for: Updated January 31, 2025. National average $3,000; typical $1,500–$4,500; low $1,000, high $12,000 (100A to 400A with relocation); replacement $1,000–$3,500 vs upgrade $1,500–$5,000; upgrade by amperage 100A $1,200–$1,800, 150A $1,500–$2,800, 200A $1,800–$4,500, 300A $3,500–$7,500, 400A $8,000–$12,000; panel box 200A $300–$400, 400A $1,700–$2,500; labor 40%–60%, $40–$120/hr, 4–8 hours with two electricians; permits $50–$300+, initial inspection $125–$250; fuse box conversion $1,500–$4,500; indoor panel $1,200–$4,000, outdoor $1,500–$4,500; meter box $200–$800; FPE/Zinsco replacement in line with average costs..
How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade Or Replace An Electrical Panel? — HomeGuide. Used for: No update date shown. Breaker box replacement national average $1,475 (range $851–$4,000); 100A upgrade $850–$1,600; 200A upgrade $1,300–$1,600, new 200A panel $1,800–$2,500; 400A upgrade $2,000–$4,000; subpanel $500–$1,000 (40A $452, 50A $482); meter box $200–$500; electrician $40–$100/hr; panel unit typical spend about $160; moving a panel $1,000–$4,000..
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade to 200 Amps? — Angi. Used for: Labeled 2025 data. 200A upgrade average $1,600, typical $1,200–$2,000; 150A $1,300–$1,600 installed; 300A $1,800–$3,500; 400A $2,000–$4,000; permits $50–$300; meter box $200–$800; labor makes up most of project cost; subpanel $400–$1,750..
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade or Replace an Electrical Panel? — HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.). Used for: Updated July 2022 (older data, used as a floor and for line items). Average $1,286, typical $521–$2,103; 400A labor 8–20 hours; FPE/Zinsco replacement $1,500–$4,000; subpanel $400–$1,750; meter box $200–$800; service entrance cable $1,000–$1,500 overhead, $5,000+ underground; moving panel $1,000–$3,000 inside, $1,500–$2,500 outdoors; panel rewiring $500–$4,500; whole-house rewire $12,000–$20,000; grounding about $1.50/ft; drywall $300–$900; single breaker $100–$250..
Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel — Bob Vila. Used for: Updated April 18, 2024. Trenching about $6 per linear foot; electrician labor $50–$150+/hr; permit $50–$300+ (cross-check of other sources)..
Pros and cons of a panel upgrade — Rewiring America. Used for: Panel upgrades typically $2,000–$4,000; service upgrades or transformer replacement $5,000–$25,000; homes with 100–150A can usually be fully electrified with planning, above 150A usually without an upgrade; panels under 100A likely need upgrading. No page date shown..
Smart Electrical Panel Comparison: SPAN vs. Lumin — SolarReviews. Used for: 2026 figures: SPAN hardware MSRP $2,550–$4,100; SPAN installed $3,500–$5,500 (Southern California), $5,500–$8,000 (Connecticut), $3,500–$15,000+ overall; Lumin hardware about $1,850, installed $3,000–$8,000..
Commission Closes Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers and Provides Safety Information for Consumers — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Used for: Issued March 3, 1983, revised February 18, 2011. CPSC confirmed some FPE Stab-Lok breakers failed UL calibration tests but closed the investigation without determining whether they are safe..
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit — IRS. Used for: 25C covered panelboards of 200 amps or more installed with qualifying energy property, up to $600; IRS FAQs on Public Law 119-21 confirm no credit for property placed in service after December 31, 2025..
Regional Price Parities by State, 2023 — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Used for: state cost adjustments.