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 |  | Low: $800-$1,200 |  | Medium: $1,500-$3,000 |  | High: $2,000-$4,000 |
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Power from the electrical company's line flows through a home's outside meter and into the electrical service panel, which controls the flow of electricity into the house. Total electrical usage cannot exceed the panel's capacity, which can be 100, 150, 200 or 400 amps. Homes may also have sub-panels that are located elsewhere, which are smaller versions of the main panel and wired through it.
Typical costs: |
- Typically it costs $800-$1,200 to have a qualified electrician upgrade an existing panel to 100 amps, or $1,500-$2,500 if a new panel is needed.
- Expect to pay $1,300-$3,000 to upgrade to 200 amps, or $2,000-$4,000 to go to 400 amps.
- Installing a new sub-panel runs $500-$1,000.
Related articles: Adding an Electrical Outlet, Electrician, Home Addition, Garage Conversion, Basement Remodeling
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What should be included: |
- Electrical panels in an older home might have a lower capacity, but 100 amps is the current minimum required, while 150 amps is common. Many new homes are being built at 400 amps, which usually is achieved by using a 400-amp meter and two 200-amp panels.
- HomeTips.com[1] describes and illustrates a typical main electrical panel, while HomeTime.com[2] provides a detailed glossary of electrical terms, which helps in understanding exactly what is included in a quote or required in a specific situation.
- This is not a do-it-yourself project; major wiring changes should be done by a licensed electrical contractor. Check with your local planning department for any local restrictions or requirements; generally a permit is needed. Permit costs vary widely nationwide.
- If needed, the upgrading process can include repairing old wiring, adding a copper grounding pole, and removing and replacing the old panel.
Shopping for upgrading an electrical panel: |
- Get estimates from several companies or contractors. Make sure the electrical contractor is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state.
- Referrals to electrical contractors are available from the National Electrical Contractors Association[3] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 3 of 3 - << Previous 1 2 3
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| Posted by: Brad Biondo in Pearland, TX. | Posted: November 21st, 2021 08:11PM |
| Amps: 400 AMPS | Electrician: Jordan Warmke |
Had to REPLACE METER panel add New 200 amp box, replace electric line from Terminal to Box 115 feet away with the largest copper line 350KC MIL CENTERPOINT (Texas) supports.. line had to be laid 24” deep (buried).. added 12 individual 20 amp 220 outlets and 2 110 doubles with legal permits |
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| Posted by: Brandon Nichols in Denver, CO. | Posted: April 28th, 2021 10:04PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Mile High Electricians |
My company, Mile High Electricians, strives to make homes safer one panel at a time. Overhead or underground service conductors? No problem. Every Service upgrade includes but not limited to:
Meter lever bypass 5 terminal
Main breaker panel Combination panel.
Grounding electrode system
Surge protection
AFCI/GFCI protection if required. |
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| Posted by: M.Green in Marshfield, MO. | Posted: March 18th, 2021 04:03PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Mr. Electric |
200amp main breaker took the brunt of the lighting strike causing the main breaker to not trip or shut off manually - because replacing the panel we needed to bring the house up to code. The current meter was 50' away from the house on a pole. upgrade includes new weather head riser, installing a meter main combo panel with new grounding,2 x 8ft ground rods, new distribution panel complete with standard breakers, various fees and misc outlets inside and around home to be replaced. Luckily out of pocket deductible was only $2000 |
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| Posted by: Lisa G in chicago, IL. | Posted: June 1st, 2020 06:06PM |
| Amps: 200-3 phase | Electrician: |
How much does it cost for a electrical panel to get upgraded from a 200 amp to a 3 phase? |
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| Posted by: Jason Dorey in Lexington, SC. | Posted: May 2nd, 2019 03:05PM |
| Amps: 100 | Electrician: $2200.00 |
I couldn't get it done any cheaper |
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| Posted by: Whattheheyho in Wpb, FL. | Posted: January 21st, 2019 06:01PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: |
Had switched years ago from fuses and had several inspections now telling me I have 200 am inside 100 out..what I looked up last inspection it has 150. Ughhhh |
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| Posted by: Sujata Satapathy in Santa Clara, CA. | Posted: June 5th, 2017 03:06PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Pacific Electricians |
I had to replace my electrical panel in an emergency situation. This contractor took a $10K advance without looking into what needs to be fixed and then submitted an invoice of $20K after fixing it. I need to know what he did (and didn't do) and if he is over-charging me. |
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| Posted by: Old sparkey in BillericA, MA. | Posted: April 24th, 2017 06:04PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Tom |
For you people getting a service change. A heads up the material on a simple one is about 800$ our cost. We charge on the difficulty on the outside and if your existing panel is loaded up and how many circuits. The arc fault breakers are expensive about 45$ our cost and required in all circuits except garage and bathrooms.
So a good price ball park is 2300-2800$ depending plus I he permit . Do not allow anyone to do a service change without a license!! Good luck |
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| Posted by: arodiaz in Bowie, MD. | Posted: March 31st, 2017 08:03AM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Nothing But panels |
Upgraded from 100 Amps to 200 Amps panel and bought and extra surge protector for like $100 from Amazon.
Lifetime Warranty and installed the surge protector for free. |
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| Posted by: Randy Wilson in San Mateo, CA. | Posted: September 11th, 2016 10:09PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Thornton Electric |
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| Posted by: Happyele in Miami, FL. | Posted: August 1st, 2016 07:08PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Local electrician |
Upgraded panel no breakers left. Home built in 95, installed in less than 3hrs, but drywall out and access readily available no need to go in attic. |
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| Posted by: SlappyFrantz in Berkeley, CA. | Posted: March 21st, 2016 02:03PM |
| Amps: 125 Main | Electrician: Ideal Electric |
Pricey, but well worth the peace of mind. Moved main disconnect to outside the house. Meter was so old it could not be used with modern equipment. Drilled through a foot of bricks. Installed new main and connected to existing sub panel. Ran new ground. Included all permit fees and city inspection. |
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| Posted by: P Dyer in Metairie, LA. | Posted: March 7th, 2016 03:03PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Leroy Griffin LG ELECTRIC LLC |
I wanted my 40 yr old main service panel replaced. It had an attached meter box. Mr. Leroy installed a separate meter box and service panel. They were very thorough, having the electric co turn off/on the electricity with an inspection. Finished the job by 2:30pm, same day! |
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| Posted by: Freddie in Houston, TX. | Posted: January 4th, 2016 07:01AM |
| Amps: 100-125 | Electrician: CIMA WËRKS 832-964-9464 |
I bought a new house that was for closure I had gotten all my permits but didn't had an electrician I called ARS they came out and looked at the house they said I needed a new panel since it was going to be inspected by the city so the guy said it would be from the lowest $3200-$4300 I wanted to be sure of this so I decided to get acouple more quotes and a few more opinions so I called John Moore and they said a few different things but sounded a little less fishy but quote was still a bit high then I caught a break when a friend recommended Cima Wërks at first it was a bit fishy cause I google them and nothing came up but he showed me his licenses and all and showed me step by step what need to be done and what he would do to up grade the service and pull the permits in less than 2 days he finish the jobs he updated the panel ran some wire to my water line he said it was for ground that the city requires due to some codes and put the new panel new breakers and it was done |
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| Posted by: William Baldwin Sr. in Massapequa, NY. | Posted: July 8th, 2015 07:07PM |
| Amps: 200amps | Electrician: Daly Brothers Contracting Company |
After searching websites such as Craigslist Long Island & Angies List we spoke to a few of our neighbors at a local event who had all used the same company thru word of mouth. Daly Brothers upgraded our panel with permit for $1800.00. They were extremely professional and in and out in the same day. Their work was clean and the organized and labeled our entire panel which was never done previously. They are a General Contracting Company who handle all aspects of home improvements and specialize in electrical work. They were recommended and we will definetly be using them again on any future upgrades or home improvements! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
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| Posted by: Prince & Paris P. in WDC, DC. | Posted: May 27th, 2015 10:05AM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Micheal & Sons |
They were very knowledgeable of their work, until I asked to review the quote which was originally 3400.00. I found cost for: 2 panels, Entire house Surge Protector-not needed. Just check and ask the question: Why is this? and Do not believe everything is code unit they prove it. |
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| Posted by: Tim Sanders in new orleans, LA. | Posted: April 29th, 2015 08:04PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Leroy Griffin LG ELECTRIC LLC |
I wanted my breaker box upgraded to 200 amps. I was referred to Leroy from a family member. I was quoted two other prices from other electricians and he wasn't the highest but not the lowest either. I decided to go with him as I was advised and could not be happier. He was professional, on time, neat, and even did some other work that was not originally quoted. I referred him to a friend that needed electrical work done and she's very satisfied as well. |
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| Posted by: Evelyn M. in Richmond, TX. | Posted: March 5th, 2015 04:03AM |
| Amps: 240 | Electrician: Universal |
We had an electrical problem with a faulty wire from the pool breaker to the pump. The electrician came out and noted out Electrical panel was not up to code. It was 25 years old and had aluminum wiring into the panel. It showed signs of arc'ing--he said. I called my dad who spend over 40 years in the industry and he told me to change it out. The total bill was $5100 but the remainder was to run a new pool conduit and not related to the electrical panel replacement. It came with a 10 year warranty. Replaced March, 2015. This site only has "2014" loaded. |
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| Posted by: Rick & Melissa in Carlsbad, NM. | Posted: December 22nd, 2014 11:12AM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Hutchins Electrical |
Electrician said work could be done within 1 1/2 wks-2 wks. required at least 1/2 up front. He was pd $2000. on 11/9/14, as of today 12/22/14 We only have a pole in the ground. He said he had to have the remaining bal. due to a child support issue so he could not buy our materials. So we pd him $1,223.31 on 12/12/14. Then he said he still did not have the permit and needed $100. more on 12/15/14. there is still no permit. He was suppose to finish last week? He said he had a emergency house to work on. Now he said he can smell animal urine and it bothers his asthma. suppose to show up again on Thursday 12/18/14, no show we had to track him down. his new employee did not work out. Friday we even had respirator mask (we should'nt have to do that),he was a no show again. He finally called 2pm, he said he didn't have any one to hold the ladder. He said that today 12//22/14 there would be 3 people at our house by 8-8:30am, tried contacting him & no response. |
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| Posted by: a user in Houston, TX. | Posted: December 9th, 2014 08:12PM |
| Amps: From 100amp to 120 amp | Electrician: Hs electric/ Pablo 832-310-3945 |
I call joohn Moore for a quote to change out a panel. quote was 2200 then I got another quote from Hs electric they quoted 1000 dollars less. They did a clean job I will used Hs electric again.. |
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| Posted by: Rosa P in Peabody, MA. | Posted: August 23rd, 2014 06:08AM |
| Amps: 200amps | Electrician: Rescigno Electric |
Great job and unbelievable price. They put up a temporary service so I can have some power while they worked. I would highly recommend them to any one needing electrical work completed. |
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| Posted by: R. Day in Houston, TX. | Posted: May 24th, 2014 06:05AM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: John Moore/Joel Caballero |
The full service also included a new door bell installation, and two dead outlets being repaired. The electrician at the outside box did great work. The company sent two less experienced persons to do the inside outlet repairs and door bell work. Those two were not good at all. They did not test theirs repairs and had to be called back into the house from the truck. I did get a lifetime service contract on the whole package- but I think the work was overpriced by about $1,000. |
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| Posted by: carin in portland, OR. | Posted: October 17th, 2013 11:10AM |
| Amps: 100 | Electrician: |
I have an old home with 100 amp fuses. I hired an electrician to put in new 200 box. He quoted me $3580
It turns out he only put in a new 100 amp box, I am wondering what the price difference should be since I was quoted for a 200 amp?? |
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| Posted by: tina/jose in San Antonio, TX. | Posted: August 21st, 2013 11:08PM |
| Amps: 100-200amps | Electrician: mike's eletrica/handyman |
1 house had 3 room restroom kitchen/livingroom 2 house had 2 rooms restroom and kitchen/living room 3 house had 3 rooms restroom kitchen/living room and a small 6*6 hallway the guy did a good job a would recomend him to everybody in san antonio,tx his name was mike and # is (210)717-5857 . i got everything he need for the house and her just charge me for the labor part of 2500 other companys and eletrica whated any wher from 7500 to 22,000. mike did the all of this in 4day and it was done right just like i whanted did have to call anybody elsa job was up to texas code and pass the inspe.i well use this guy on more job to come he is also doing my barshop panel from a100 amp to a 200 amp charge me 600 bucks to change and put 2 spret panel for my shop cal him for all ur ele job need real nice guy |
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| Posted by: DSiggy60 in Union, ME. | Posted: August 2nd, 2013 03:08AM |
Just a note on panel upgrades. For a majority of the states electrical code panels (2011 National Electrical Code), when upgrading a panel, a majority of breakers must be replaced with the Arc-Fault type. this may increase the past cost of the job by as much as $50 a breaker. |
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| Posted by: Vicki s in Richboro, PA. | Posted: May 24th, 2013 12:05PM |
| Amps: 200 | Electrician: Grace electric 215-512-0425 |
John(the owner) did a very neat and clean 200 amp service upgrade for me at my home in richboro, pa. My existing panel was way to small and my outside service cable was cracked and dry rotted. I am a realtor and I have recommended and used him on numerous service upgrades and panel changes. The best part is that he always answers the phone personally and does the work himself. |
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External Resources: |
- www.hometips.com/how-it-works/electrical-panel-circuit-breakers.html
- www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/electric/elec_8.htm
- www.necanet.org/find-a-contractor
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