Electrical Panel Replacement Cost (2026): What Landlords and Homeowners Pay
A like-for-like swap runs around $1,300–$2,500, but jumping from 100 to 200 amps in an older home can push you past $4,000. Here's how the numbers break down.
Marcus Reynolds
Home Services Editor · April 22, 2026 · 8 min read
How much does electrical panel replacement cost?
Typical
$2,000
Most pay $1,300–$4,500 per project
Most electrical panel replacements land between $1,300 and $3,000, with a national typical cost around $2,000. A straight swap of an old 200-amp panel sits near the low end; bumping a 1960s home from 100 to 200 amps, with a new meter base and service cable, can run $3,000–$4,500 or more.
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What affects the cost
Amperage (and whether you're upgrading)
A like-for-like 100-amp replacement is the cheapest job on the board, often $1,200–$1,600. Going from 100 to 200 amps means new wiring, a new meter base, and sometimes a fresh service line from the utility, which is where the real money goes. A 400-amp service for a large home or one with an ADU starts around $2,000 and climbs past $4,000.
Labor and how long it takes
Electricians charge roughly $50–$130 an hour depending on the market, and a panel swap usually eats 8 to 10 hours including the inspection wait. On most quotes, labor alone is $500–$1,000 of the total. Master electricians command the top of that hourly range, and you want one on a service-entrance job.
Permit and inspection
Almost every jurisdiction requires a permit for panel work, generally $50–$300. The utility also has to disconnect and reconnect power, and a city inspector signs off before the meter goes back live. Skipping the permit is a classic way to fail a future home sale inspection.
Relocating the panel
Moving the box from, say, a cramped closet to an exterior wall adds $500–$2,000 because every circuit has to be extended or rerun. Code updates increasingly push panels out of bedrooms and bathrooms, so a relocation sometimes isn't optional.
Bringing the rest up to code
Once an inspector is involved, problems that were grandfathered in can come due: a missing ground rod, undersized service cable, or a panel brand on the recall list (Federal Pacific and Zinsco are the usual suspects). Budget a cushion if your panel is 40-plus years old.
Typical installed cost by panel amperage (2026)
| Panel size | Like-for-like replace | Upgrade to this amperage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 amp | $1,200–$1,600 | $850–$1,600 | Small homes, condos, 1-2 bed rentals |
| 150 amp | $1,300–$1,800 | $1,500–$2,500 | Mid-size homes with gas heat |
| 200 amp | $1,800–$2,500 | $1,800–$3,500 | Most modern single-family homes |
| 400 amp | $2,000–$4,000+ | $3,000–$6,000 | Large homes, EV + electric heat, ADUs |
Cost by region
Older housing stock and high union labor rates stack up here. A 100-to-200-amp upgrade in a Boston or NYC-area triple-decker often clears $3,500 once the utility coordination and tight-access work are priced in.
Lower labor rates and newer construction keep costs down across Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Like-for-like 200-amp swaps frequently come in under $2,000 outside the big metros.
Among the most affordable markets. Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri electricians tend to quote $1,500–$2,500 for a standard 200-amp replacement, with permits on the cheaper side.
California and the Seattle and Portland metros run high on both labor and permitting. Wildfire-zone and seismic code add-ons can nudge a straightforward swap toward the top of the range.
When a panel actually needs replacing
Plenty of panels get swapped out of caution, but a few signs are non-negotiable. If you've got a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or a Zinsco panel, replace it. Those brands have a documented history of breakers that don't trip under fault conditions, and most insurers now flag them. Beyond brand, watch for breakers that trip the moment you run the microwave and toaster together, a panel that's warm to the touch, scorch marks or a burning smell, or a fuse box still hanging on in a house from the 1950s. Landlords have an added reason to act: a panel that can't safely carry modern loads is a liability question, not just a convenience one. If a tenant's space heater keeps knocking out a circuit, the panel is telling you something.
Why upgrading amps costs more than swapping a box
This trips up a lot of owners. Replacing a tired 200-amp panel with a new 200-amp panel is mostly labor plus a few hundred dollars in parts. Upgrading the service capacity is a different animal. Going from 100 to 200 amps means the meter base, the service-entrance cable, the main breaker, and often the connection from the utility's drop all have to handle the higher load. The utility has to get involved, sometimes with their own crew and their own scheduling. That's why a quote for an 'upgrade' can be double a quote for a 'replacement' even though both end with a shiny new panel on the wall. When you get bids, make sure every electrician is quoting the same scope, because the words get used loosely.
What's driving panel upgrades right now
Electrification is the short answer. Heat pumps, induction ranges, EV chargers, and whole-home batteries all pull serious current, and a 100-amp service that was fine for a 1970s household runs out of room fast. An EV charger alone can want a 50-amp circuit. Add a heat pump and you're often forced into a 200-amp service whether you planned on it or not. For owners thinking a few years ahead, it's usually cheaper to size up to 200 amps now than to pay for a 100-amp replacement today and a second upgrade later when you electrify.
Getting an honest quote
Three written bids from licensed, insured electricians is the floor. A real quote breaks out the panel and breakers, labor, the permit, and any utility coordination as separate lines. Be suspicious of anything that looks too cheap; it often means no permit, which means no inspection, which means a problem when you sell or refinance. Ask whether the price includes patching drywall if they have to open a wall, and whether load calculations are part of the job. A good electrician runs the numbers on your actual and projected loads rather than guessing at an amperage.
Timeline and living through it
The physical work is usually a single day, sometimes two if a relocation or service upgrade is involved. Power is off for several hours while the swap happens, so plan around it: no heat, no fridge cycling, no Wi-Fi. The longer pole in the tent is often scheduling, since you're coordinating the electrician, the permit office, the utility disconnect, and the inspector. From first call to final sign-off, two to four weeks is normal. For a rental, give tenants real notice and try to book it for a weekday when people are out.
Ways to save on electrical
- Bundle the panel upgrade with other electrical work (a rewire, EV charger, or new circuits) so you pay the permit and mobilization once.
- Size to 200 amps now if you plan to add an EV charger or heat pump later. Doing it twice is the expensive path.
- Get three written bids and make sure each quotes the same scope (replace vs. upgrade) so you're comparing apples to apples.
- Ask your utility about electrification or panel-upgrade rebates. Several offer a few hundred dollars when the upgrade supports a heat pump or EV charging.
- Keep the panel where it is if you can. Relocations add $500–$2,000 in rerouted circuits for no added capacity.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to upgrade from 100 to 200 amps?
Most owners pay $1,800–$3,500 for a 100-to-200-amp upgrade, and older homes in high-cost regions can reach $4,000–$4,500. The jump over a like-for-like swap covers the new meter base, service cable, and utility coordination.
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel?
Yes, in nearly every jurisdiction. Panel work touches the service entrance, so a permit ($50–$300) and an inspection are required. An unpermitted panel is a common red flag on home inspections and can stall a sale.
How long does a panel replacement take?
The hands-on work is usually 8 to 10 hours, often a single day. Plan for several hours without power. The full process, including permit and utility scheduling, typically spans two to four weeks.
Is it worth replacing a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?
Yes. Both brands have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip during a fault, which is a fire risk. Many insurers won't write or renew policies on homes that still have them, so replacement is money well spent.
Can I replace an electrical panel myself?
It's legal for a homeowner in some areas but strongly discouraged. The job involves the live service connection, requires a permit and inspection either way, and a mistake is both a shock and a fire hazard. For a rental, hiring a licensed electrician is the only defensible choice.
Sources
- Angi — Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost
- Fixr — Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost
- HomeGuide — Electrical Panel Cost
- This Old House — Electrical Panel Replacement Cost
- Today's Homeowner — Electrical Panel Replacement Cost
Cost ranges are 2026 estimates and vary by region, materials, and contractor.
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