Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost: 100 to 200 Amps (2026)

Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp panel usually costs $1,300 to $3,000 installed, with an average around $2,150, according to This Old House’s March 2026 cost guide. Where your quote lands in that range depends mostly on one question: is the electrician swapping the panel, or upgrading the whole service?

Most homes built before 1990 have 100-amp panels. That was enough when the biggest loads were a central AC unit and a dryer. EV chargers, heat pumps, induction ranges and home offices change the math, and 200 amps gives a house room for them.

Cost to Upgrade From 100 to 200 Amps

This Old House puts the pieces at:

Item	Typical cost (This Old House)
200-amp panel (unit only)	$250-$350
200-amp panel, installed	$1,300-$3,000
Meter box (unit only)	$50-$250
Permit	$50-$300
AFCI or GFCI breaker, each	$35-$60

For comparison, the same source lists a 100-amp panel installed at $800-$1,500 and a 400-amp panel installed at $2,000-$4,000. Labor is the largest share of every one of these jobs, which is why quotes for the same panel can differ by more than the cost of the panel itself.

Panel Swap vs. Full Service Upgrade

This is the distinction that explains most of the spread between quotes.

A panel swap replaces the breaker box inside your house. The utility’s wires, the meter and the cable from the meter to the panel stay as they are. It is the cheaper job, and it only gets you more capacity if the service feeding the house can already carry it.

A service upgrade raises what the house can draw from the grid. Besides the new panel, it usually means a new meter base, new service entrance cable sized for the larger service, and a scheduled disconnect and reconnect by your utility. Some utilities also have to replace the service drop or the transformer on their side. Going from 100 to 200 amps almost always means a service upgrade, so a quote that only prices the panel is incomplete.

When you compare quotes, ask each electrician to say which job they priced and to list the meter base, service entrance cable, permit and utility coordination as separate lines.

What Is Included in the Upgrade?

A complete upgrade includes removing the old panel, installing the new panel and breakers, moving every existing circuit to it, replacing the service entrance cable and meter base where required, coordinating the utility disconnect and reconnect, pulling the permit and passing inspection. The electrician should also label every circuit in the new panel.

Some electricians include the meter base in their quote and others list it separately. Confirm what is and is not included before you sign.

When Do You Need a Panel Upgrade?

Your breakers trip often. If you are resetting breakers more than occasionally, the panel may be at capacity.

You are adding a large load. An EV charger, heat pump, hot tub or electric range can push a 100-amp service past what it can safely carry. Your electrician should run a load calculation under the National Electrical Code before recommending an upgrade.

Your panel uses fuses or is a known problem brand. Federal Pacific, Zinsco and some Pushmatic panels have documented safety issues, and some insurers require them replaced.

You are renovating or adding square footage. Building departments may require a larger service for a major renovation. Your electrician will confirm what your local code requires.

Your home still has 60-amp service. Common in homes built before 1960. Getting to 200 amps from there is always a full service upgrade.

The Permit Process

Panel upgrades require a permit in virtually every jurisdiction. Your electrician pulls the permit, does the work, and the local inspector signs off. The utility company is involved because they need to disconnect and reconnect power at the meter.

Expect the permit and inspection to take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your building department and how quickly the utility can schedule the disconnect. The installation itself usually takes one day.

200A vs 400A: Do You Need More?

For most single-family homes, 200 amps is enough even with an EV charger and modern appliances. Very large homes with several HVAC systems, a pool, a workshop and an EV charger can need more, and a load calculation settles it. This Old House lists a 400-amp panel installed at $2,000-$4,000, before any service work.

How to Save on the Upgrade

Bundle with other electrical work. If you need outlets added, a sub-panel in the garage, or wiring for an EV charger, doing it all at once saves on labor.

Get three quotes. Panel upgrade pricing varies significantly between electricians. Make sure all quotes include the permit, meter base (if needed), and inspection.

Check utility rebates. Some utilities and states offer incentives for panel upgrades tied to electrification projects like heat pumps or EV chargers. Ask your utility or search DSIRE, the national database of state incentives.

Pricing varies by market. Find electricians in Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Atlanta, GA.

Codes and Standards Worth Knowing

Every legitimate electrical job in the United States is scoped against the NFPA’s National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), commonly called the NEC, which most jurisdictions adopt on a three-year cycle. Worker safety on the job site falls under OSHA’s electrical standards for construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart K), which dictate lockout-tagout, arc-flash PPE, and ground-fault protection during the work itself. An electrician who cannot name the NEC cycle their state is currently on, or the OSHA rules their crew works under, is not someone you should hire for any non-trivial project.

FAQ

How long does a panel upgrade take?

Most upgrades take one working day on site, and your power is off for most of it. The permit, inspection and utility scheduling add a few days to a few weeks, depending on your building department and utility.

Will I lose power during the upgrade?

Yes. The utility disconnects power at the meter while the electrician works, usually for most of a working day. Plan for refrigerated food and any medical equipment that needs power.

Can I upgrade my panel myself?

No. Electrical panel work requires a licensed electrician in every state. It involves working with the utility service entrance, which carries lethal current even when your main breaker is off. This is not a DIY project.

Does a panel upgrade increase home value?

A 200A panel is expected in modern homes. It removes a barrier for buyers who want to add EV chargers or major appliances. It will not dramatically increase your sale price, but it prevents your home from being flagged during inspection and can make insurance easier to obtain.

Can I upgrade my panel without rewiring my house?

Usually, yes. Your existing circuits are moved to the new panel and the wiring in the walls stays. Rewiring only comes up if the electrician or inspector finds unsafe wiring. The inspector may require newer protection on some circuits, such as AFCI or GFCI breakers, which This Old House prices at $35-$60 per breaker.

Is it worth upgrading to 200-amp service?

If you plan to add an EV charger, a heat pump or other large electric loads, usually yes: 200 amps is the size most new homes are built with. If your current panel is safe, not near capacity and you have no new loads planned, a load calculation may show you do not need it yet.

How do I know if my panel needs upgrading?

Check the main breaker rating printed on the breaker handle. If it says 100 (or 60), you have a 100A (or 60A) panel. If your electrician confirms the panel is at or near capacity, or if you are planning to add large loads, an upgrade is the right move.