How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost? About $1,300 to $3,000 for 200 Amps
By Sharrk Team · October 31, 2026
Most 200-amp electrical panel upgrades cost about $1,300 to $3,000 installed, according to This Old House's March 2026 cost guide. A same-size 100-amp swap can run $800 to $1,500. A 400-amp upgrade or a job that needs new utility service can run $4,000 or more.
Price depends on the amperage, whether the meter and service entrance change too, and local permit rules.
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost by amperage?
These are installed prices (panel plus labor) from four cost guides. HomeAdvisor and Angi are sister sites owned by the same company, so we use only HomeAdvisor here. Fixr's page was last updated in January 2025, so its figures are a little older.
| Service size | This Old House (Mar 2026) | HomeAdvisor | HomeGuide (may show local pricing) | Fixr (Jan 2025, upgrade) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100A | $800 to $1,500 | $800 to $1,500 | $850 to $1,100 (replace); $1,200 to $1,600 (new service panel) | $1,200 to $1,800 |
| 200A | $1,300 to $3,000 | $1,300 to $2,000 | $1,800 to $2,500 | $1,800 to $4,500 |
| 400A | $2,000 to $4,000 ($4,000 to $6,000 for a new install) | $2,000 to $4,000 | $2,000 to $4,000 | $8,000 to $12,000 |
For the most common job, going from 100 to 200 amps, HomeGuide reports $1,300 to $1,600. If a new service panel is required, that rises to $1,800 to $2,500. HomeAdvisor puts its national average for panel replacement at $1,342.
The 400-amp numbers vary the most. Fixr says one 400-amp panel is usually the most expensive way to get there. Two 200-amp panels can cost less, and trenching can add a few thousand dollars.
What add-ons raise the price?
The panel is rarely the expensive part. Labor makes up about 40% to 60% of the total, according to Fixr. The items below are what move a quote from the low end to the high end.
| Add-on | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | $50 to $300 | This Old House, Fixr |
| Meter box (installed) | $200 to $800 | Fixr |
| Meter and power supply | $100 to $650 | HomeAdvisor |
| Utility service upgrade (lines to the house) | $2,000 to $30,000 | ENERGY STAR |
| Subpanel | $400 to $1,750 | This Old House |
| Moving the panel | $1,500 to $4,000 | HomeAdvisor |
| Fuse box to breaker panel | $1,500 to $2,000 (up to $4,500 with rewiring) | HomeAdvisor |
| Electrician labor | $40 to $120 an hour | Fixr |
A panel swap usually takes 4 to 8 hours, according to Fixr and HomeAdvisor. HomeAdvisor says it can take 20 to 30 hours when wiring and other components are replaced too.
When do you actually need a panel upgrade?
A bigger panel isn't automatically the answer. Here are the common reasons to upgrade, and where a cheaper fix may do the job.
Adding an EV charger. Level 2 chargers run on 240 volts. ENERGY STAR says they draw "a considerable amount of power," so the home's electrical system has to be able to handle it. The U.S. Department of Energy says some homes "might have insufficient electric capacity" for Level 2 charging. It also says permits may be required.
Switching to a heat pump. ENERGY STAR says a home that already has central AC "should not need an electrical upgrade to switch to a heat pump." You may still need new 240V circuits where the equipment goes.
A small or full panel. ENERGY STAR's rule of thumb is that an upgrade may be needed if the main breaker is 65, 100 or 125 amps and few or no breaker slots are empty. It also notes that most newer homes have a 200-amp panel.
Warning signs. The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFi) lists these red flags:
- Breakers that trip often
- Dim or flickering lights
- Buzzing or sizzling sounds
- Hot or discolored switch plates
- Any shock, even a mild tingle
ESFi recommends an electrical inspection for homes 40 years or older. It also recommends one for homes 10 or more years old that have added a major appliance or renovation.
Federal Pacific (FPE) and Zinsco panels. HomeGuide and This Old House both list these as outdated panels worth replacing. HomeGuide calls FPE panels a high fire risk when they malfunction. Be precise about the official record, though. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) closed its FPE Stab-Lok investigation in 1983. Its own testing confirmed that some breakers failed UL calibration tests. But the CPSC said it could not link those failures to a hazard, and it made no determination about their safety. Many electricians recommend replacing FPE panels anyway. A licensed electrician should inspect the specific panel.
Alternatives to a full upgrade. ENERGY STAR lists several cheaper options:
- Rebalancing circuits to free up space in the panel
- Smart circuit-sharing devices (about $500), such as one that lets an EV charger and a dryer share a circuit
- Smart panels ($2,500 to $4,000)
- A 120V Level 1 charger for drivers who cover fewer miles
Is there still a federal tax credit for panel upgrades?
No, not for work placed in service in 2026. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) covered 30% of a qualifying panel upgrade, up to $600. To qualify, the panel had to be 200 amps or more and installed alongside qualifying energy equipment. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended that credit. The IRS says it is not allowed "for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025." Check state and utility rebate programs instead, and confirm current terms with a tax professional.
What should electricians ask when a panel upgrade call comes in?
Qualify panel calls on the first call instead of rolling a truck blind:
- What's driving the upgrade? An EV charger, a heat pump, an addition, a home sale or inspection, or a problem.
- Any warning signs right now? A burning smell, heat, sparking or buzzing at the panel means safety-first instructions and the urgent schedule.
- What size is the current panel? Ask them to read the main breaker number, or text a photo of the panel label.
- What brand is it? Listen for Federal Pacific, Stab-Lok or Zinsco.
- How old is the home, and where is the panel? Basement, garage, outside or a closet.
- Is the service overhead or underground? This tells you if the utility is likely to be involved.
- Do they own the home? And who will be there for the estimate.
- What's their timeline? For example, a closing date or an EV delivery date.
- Book the estimate. Confirm the address and send a text confirmation.
For a full script, see our electrician call script. Speed matters as much as the questions. Our post on electrician lead response time covers why, and how much electrician leads cost shows what's at stake when a paid lead never gets answered.
How Sharrk answers and books panel upgrade calls
Sharrk is an AI voice and text agent for home-service businesses. It answers every call 24/7 and replies to new leads in under 30 seconds by call, text or email. That includes leads from Angi, Thumbtack, Networx and your web forms. The agent can ask the qualifying questions above. It can live-transfer an urgent call to a person and book the estimate onto Sharrk's calendar, Calendly, Cal.com or ServiceTitan. If a lead doesn't book, Strikes run automated follow-up sequences.
You don't need to write the script yourself. Tell Mako, Sharrk's assistant, something like "answer panel upgrade calls, ask the amperage and brand, flag burning smells, and book estimates," and it builds the agent from that plain-English description.
See how it works for electrical contractors. Or start free with 2,500 credits and no card, or book a demo.
If the upgrade is for an EV charger, see what Level 2 EV charger installation costs with and without panel work.
Sources
- This Old House, "How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?" (updated March 31, 2026): https://www.thisoldhouse.com/electrical/cost-to-upgrade-electrical-panel (checked October 31, 2026)
- HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade or Replace an Electrical Panel?" (titled 2025, no update date shown; HomeAdvisor and Angi are sister sites): https://homeadvisor.com/cost/electrical/upgrade-an-electrical-panel (checked October 31, 2026)
- HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade or Replace an Electrical Panel?" (no update date shown): https://homeguide.com/costs/cost-to-replace-electrical-panel (checked October 31, 2026)
- Fixr, "Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost" (updated January 31, 2025; older): https://www.fixr.com/costs/install-electrical-circuit-panel-upgrade (checked October 31, 2026)
- ENERGY STAR, "Make Your Home Electric Ready" (no date shown): https://www.energystar.gov/products/energy_star_home_upgrade/make_your_home_electric_ready (checked October 31, 2026)
- ENERGY STAR, "Electric Panel Upgrade Tax Credit" (no date shown): https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal-tax-credits/electric-panel-upgrade (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center, "Charging Plug-In Electric Vehicles at Home" (no date shown): https://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-charging-home (checked October 31, 2026)
- Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFi), "Home Wiring Safety Tips" (last modified August 17, 2021): https://www.esfi.org/home-wiring-safety-tips/ (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. CPSC, "Commission Closes Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers and Provides Safety Information for Consumers" (issued March 3, 1983; revised February 18, 2011): https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1983/Commission-Closes-Investigation-Of-FPE-Circuit-Breakers-And-Provides-Safety-Information-For-Consumers (checked October 31, 2026)
- IRS, "Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit" (last reviewed April 28, 2026): https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit (checked October 31, 2026)
- IRS, FAQs on modification of sections 25C and others under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (FS-2025-05, August 21, 2025): https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (checked October 31, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to upgrade from 100 to 200 amps?
Upgrading from 100 to 200 amps usually costs about $1,300 to $3,000 installed, per This Old House. HomeGuide reports $1,300 to $1,600, rising to $1,800 to $2,500 if a new service panel is needed.
How much does a 400-amp panel upgrade cost?
A 400-amp upgrade typically costs $2,000 to $4,000 according to This Old House, HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide, and more for new installs. Fixr reports $8,000 to $12,000 and notes two 200-amp panels can be cheaper.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Yes, most panel upgrades need a permit and inspection. This Old House and Fixr put permit fees at about $50 to $300, depending on your area.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. A Level 2 charger needs a 240V circuit and enough capacity, and ENERGY STAR suggests an upgrade may be needed if your main breaker is 100 or 125 amps with few open slots; circuit-sharing devices or a Level 1 charger can avoid it.
Is there a federal tax credit for an electrical panel upgrade in 2026?
No. The IRS says the 25C credit, which covered up to $600 for qualifying 200-amp-plus panels, is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Should a Federal Pacific panel be replaced?
Many electricians and cost guides recommend it, and HomeGuide calls FPE panels a high fire risk when they malfunction. The CPSC closed its 1983 investigation without making a safety determination, so have a licensed electrician inspect the panel.