What does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
Upgrading a home to 200-amp service usually runs about $2,200 to $4,800, permit included. Pick your job below to see the line items, then get a quote from one licensed electrician near you.
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Estimates include the permit and inspection. Your electrician quotes the real price after seeing the job.
In Mecklenburg County, NC, 238 homeowners pulled service upgrade permits in the last 12 months. The median declared cost was $3,271; the middle half paid $1,100 to $6,514.
Get a quote from a licensed electrician
For homes in the Charlotte, NC area. We send your request to one licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code, not a list of companies, so you won't get a flood of calls. They'll usually contact you within one business day. No cost to ask.
Common questions
How much does it cost to upgrade to a 200-amp panel?
Most 100 A to 200 A service upgrades run about $2,200 to $4,800, including the new meter base, service cable, panel, breakers and permit. Underground service, moving the panel or a long service run add to that. In Mecklenburg County, NC, the median declared cost on service upgrade permits was about $3,200 over the last year.
Do I need a bigger panel for an EV charger or heat pump?
Not always. An electrician does a load calculation first. Many 150 A and some 100 A homes can add a charger with a load-management device or a smaller circuit. If the math says the service is too small, an upgrade is the safe fix.
Does the power company have to be involved?
Yes, for a service upgrade. The utility disconnects and reconnects the power and may need to upgrade its own line or meter. Your electrician schedules that. Expect the power to be off for part of a day.
Is my old panel dangerous?
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels have well-documented breaker failures, and fuse boxes can't take modern loads. Insurers often ask about them. A licensed electrician can tell you what you have.