Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost: $800–$4,500 (Average $1,942) in 2026

Why does an electrical panel upgrade cost so much?

Most of the price comes down to two things: how much amperage you’re moving to, and whether it’s a straight swap or a full upgrade. A like-for-like panel replacement at the same amperage averages around $1,274 to $1,345 (Angi, Bob Vila), while a full 100-to-200-amp upgrade with new breakers and some rewiring averages $2,150 to $3,000 (This Old House, Fixr). Blended across the major cost guides, the national average lands around $1,942, and most projects fall between $1,300 and $3,000 (Fixr, This Old House, Bob Vila). Labor is the biggest line item, running $40 to $250 per hour and typically taking 4 to 8 hours with two electricians on the job (Angi, Fixr). Bigger service upgrades cost substantially more: a 300-amp panel runs $2,000 to $7,500, and a 400-amp panel can reach $12,000 (Fixr, This Old House), reflecting the heavier equipment and wiring those systems require.

What affects the cost?

A few factors explain most of the gap between an $800 job and a $4,500+ one:

• Amperage of the new panel. A 100-amp panel installs for $850 to $1,800, a 200-amp panel runs $1,800 to $4,500 depending on scope, and 300-to-400-amp service jumps to $2,000 to $12,000 (Fixr, This Old House, HomeGuide).
• Swap vs. upgrade. Replacing a panel with the same amperage costs less than upgrading to a higher amperage, since an upgrade usually means new breakers and additional wiring (Fixr, Angi).
• Panel relocation. Moving the panel to a new spot in the house adds $800 to $4,000 (Fixr, This Old House).
• Rewiring and added circuits. Extending wiring or adding new circuits during the upgrade adds $500 to $4,500 (Fixr).
• Labor rate and crew size. Electricians charge $40 to $250 per hour, and most jobs need two electricians for 4 to 8 hours (Angi, Fixr).
• Permits and inspection. Electrical permits run $50 to $300 and are usually a separate line item pulled by the contractor (Angi, Fixr, This Old House).
• Related work. Main breaker or meter box issues found during the job can add cost, especially if components are damaged (This Old House).

How to lower your electrical panel upgrade cost

• Confirm you actually need a full amperage upgrade. If your current panel just needs replacing, not upsizing, a like-for-like swap runs closer to $850 to $1,800 rather than the $1,800 to $4,500 typical of a 100-to-200-amp upgrade (HomeGuide, Fixr, This Old House).
• Keep the panel in its current location. Relocating it adds $800 to $4,000 on top of the base installation cost, so avoid moving it unless there’s a real reason to (Fixr, This Old House).
• Bundle the permit into the contractor’s quote. Most electricians handle the $50 to $300 permit and inspection as part of the job, so confirm it’s included before comparing bids (Angi, Fixr, This Old House).
• Get multiple quotes for the same scope. Because labor alone ranges $40 to $250 per hour, pricing for an identical job can vary widely between contractors in the same market (Angi, Fixr).
• Address rewiring separately if possible. If your existing wiring is in good condition, you may be able to skip the $500 to $4,500 rewiring add-on that inflates many full-upgrade quotes (Fixr).

Prices vary by region, panel amperage, and how much wiring work is involved, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. Get two or three local quotes, and confirm the target amperage and whether relocation is needed, before committing to a final number.