Electricity is a vital part of modern life, and as such, your home’s electrical system is crucial to keeping everything up and running properly. No one wants to deal with constant hassles like flickering lights, blown fuses and failing home appliances. But those are just some of the issues you can start to face when it’s time to repair or replace your home’s electrical panel.
But what is the cost to hire an electrician to replace an electrical panel? In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about this important home repair, including when it’s time to do the job and how much a typical electrical panel replacement costs.
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What Is an Electrical Panel?
As long as your home runs on electric power rather than solar panels or some other alternative source, the electrical panel is the backbone of your home’s electrical system. An electrical panel is typically a large gray box that’s located somewhere off the beaten path in your home: Think basement, garage or even a storage room or closet. The panel contains rows of switches that each control electricity for a different part of your home, including systems and large appliances like your washer and dryer, refrigerator and dishwasher.
A surge of power can cause the switches to “trip,” which can interrupt the flow of power to that particular part of your home (or appliance). If you’re experiencing this often, it may be time to repair or replace your home’s electrical panel. If it occurs only occasionally, you can simply flip the switch to restore power.
Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel
So you’ve decided to replace your home’s electrical panel and want to know the electrical panel upgrade cost. For most electric panel replacement jobs, the cost is between $850 and $2,500. Your price will vary based on the amperage your home needs, and whether you’re repairing or replacing your electrical panel.
How Many Amps of Electricity Do I Need for My Home?
The cost to replace an electrical panel will vary based on how much energy needs to be managed. Below, we’ll provide examples to help you figure out the proper amperage for your home.
- 100 amps: This is the minimum amount of amps for most average households. The average electrical panel upgrade cost for 100 amps is about $500 to $1,500.
- 150 amps: This is a solid upgrade option for homes that run several appliances at the same time. The electrical panel replacement cost is $500 to $1,750.
- 200 amps: This amount is recommended for homes over 1,800 square feet, or those with heavy energy demands. The cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amps is between $750 and $2,000.
- 400 amps: Reserved for homes with the highest energy usage, such as ones with specialized appliances or a garage or workshop, 400 amp upgrades are often done using two, 200-amp electrical panels. The cost for this upgrade is between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on whether and how wiring needs to be replaced, along with other factors.
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Average Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel
Regardless of amperage, the table below shows a high-level estimate of the cost to replace an electrical panel. Of course, these are just guidelines, but they can be used along with the information listed above to give you an idea of what you can expect to spend.
| Average Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $1,200 | |
| Highest Cost | $3,800 | |
| Lowest Cost | $550 | |
Factors That Determine the Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel
When it comes to the cost to replace an electrical panel, there are a host of variables to consider that make it difficult to nail down a specific amount. First, remember that the hourly rate to employ an electrician ranges from $50 to $100. So if your electrical job is complicated, you’ll pay more for the labor involved.
Consider the following when figuring out your electrical panel upgrade cost:
- Panel location: If your electrical panel is difficult to access for any reason, expect labor charges to increase.
- Age and condition of existing electrical work: If your electrician has to remove parts carefully to reduce the risk of fire, or if your electrical panel is a fire hazard in any way, you’ll likely pay a higher cost for labor.
- Materials needed: If your electrician has to do any rewiring, or install any additional parts, this could increase the electrical panel upgrade cost as well.
- Amperage of the new box: As we mentioned above, electrical panels that support higher amps will be more costly.
Cost Breakdown by Part
The cost to upgrade or replace your electrical panel will also vary based on the exact part you need. Below, we’ve listed some of the more common parts you may need to replace.
Meter Box
The electric meter box is located on the outside of your home and serves as a place to house the electric meter. It also reports your electric usage to the electric company. The replacement cost for a meter box ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the number of circuits it serves.
Circuit Breaker Switch
The circuit breaker switch is the small switch that sits inside your home’s electrical panel. This is typically a relatively low-cost replacement, with an average cost of only $150 to $200, including labor and materials.
Subpanels
A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel that sits near the existing unit. It can be used to add amperage to your home’s current electrical system, or it can be wired to supply power to a particular part of your home, like a workshop or even a pool. The cost to install a small subpanel is typically between $500 to $1,000.
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When Should You Repair or Replace Your Electrical Panel?
An outdated electric panel may not seem like a big deal, but it can be a fire hazard. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, more than 500 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage.
If you’ve purchased an older home (or have lived in your home for many decades), you may want to consider upgrading your electrical panel. While some sources indicate they can last up to 40 years or more, experts say any panels older than 25 years old could be dangerous and likely won’t function at capacity.
Below are some signs that it’s time to upgrade your electric panels:
- Frequent power surges or tripped breakers
- Frequent flickering of lights
- Panel is broken or rusted and making odd noises
- Panel is hot to the touch and emitting smoke
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I repair my electrical panel or hire a pro?
Learning how to complete DIY projects in your home is a great way to conserve money. But there are some home improvement projects that are best left to a professional. Electrical panel work is definitely one of them. Because an improperly installed electrical panel can be a major fire hazard, we recommend leaving this job to a qualified, licensed electrician. Many people, however, find that they’re capable of changing out a circuit breaker switch with little trouble.
What is the most expensive part of replacing an electrical panel?
Typically, the labor involved with replacing an electric panel is the most expensive part of the job. In general, you should plan for about four to eight hours of work for an electrician to replace an electrical panel at a rate of $50 to $100 per hour.
Is it worth upgrading an electrical panel?
Perhaps your electrical panel is in good working order, but you recently purchased a new appliance or two and are noticing signs of strain on the system. Is it worth it to upgrade an electrical panel if there isn’t an obvious problem? Most experts agree that if your home’s energy usage is near the top of the load threshold for your current electrical system, it may be wise to go ahead and upgrade.
This can help prevent the risk of an electrical fire and will reduce the occurrence of power surges (which can shorten the life of your electrical panel anyway).
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FAQs
Why does it cost so much to replace an electrical panel? ›
The price also varies from a main panel to a sub panel. However, one of the main reasons why an electrical panel upgrade is so costly is the actual panel itself. Today, most people upgrade because they require more power, therefore they need a panel with more amperage. The higher the amperage is, the higher the cost.
How long does it take to replace a main electrical panel? ›Replacing an electrical panel can take between 4 and 8 hours, not including any additional rewiring or moving the panel. If the electrician needs to access wiring inside the walls, labor costs can increase, often from $100 to $450.
How much does it cost to redo electrical panel? ›The average cost of an electrical panel upgrade is between $1,300 and $3,000. This is the typical range for upgrading from 100 amps to 200 amps; for smaller or larger upgrades, you may pay anywhere from $800–$4,000. Below are the factors that determine the total cost: Panel size: Panel size ranges from 60–400 amps.
How much does it cost to replace a 200 amp electrical panel? ›A 200AMP panel will start out a little closer to $3,500 and $6,000. For a service larger than 200 AMPs, I would expect it to cost no less than $6,500 but it could cost significantly more depending on specific needs.
Should you replace an old electrical panel? ›Electric panels usually need to be replaced every 25-40 years. Even if the panel has not reached this age yet there may be warning signs that it needs replacement. These signs include: Flickering lights.
How much does it cost to rewire a 1500 sq ft house? ›The average panel can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, depending on multiple factors. If your home experiences frequent power surges or if your panel has been subjected to wear and tear, a replacement may be needed sooner rather than later.
What is the life expectancy of an electrical panel? ›Typically, electric panels last 30-50 years, more or less. That means even the electrical panel in a house built as recently as the late 80s could be worn out, putting you at risk of an electrical fire.
How much does it cost to replace a main breaker box? ›The main breaker controls the power going to connected circuit breakers and circuits. The price to install a new main breaker box is around $500 to $2,000, though the exact cost depends on the amperage of the unit and the number of affiliated circuits.
Does upgrading electrical panel increase home value? ›Another way to increase home value is by upgrading your electrical panel. Not only will this increase a home's value, it also increases the safety of your home. Old panels are more likely to experience shortages or other issues, so future homeowners will be grateful that you didn't leave them with this problem!
What is the difference between 100 amp and 200 amp panel? ›
A 200 amp electrical panel is larger and has more circuits, so it can handle more power than a 100 amp one. This allows it to use more of the electricity that enters your home from your energy provider to run your appliances and other equipment. A 200 amp panel is also more expensive.
Will a new electrical panel save you money? ›Save Energy
A new electrical panel can usually save you anywhere from 10 to 30% on your monthly electrical use, and this is because a newer panel will be designed to efficiently channel power to where it needs to be inside your home.
It is not possible to upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps simply by replacing your breaker panel. To upgrade to 200 amps from a smaller service, you will need a new breaker panel, circuit breakers, meter socket, service conductors, grounding electrodes and bonding conductors.
Should I upgrade my electrical panel to 200 amps? ›In general, homes under 3,000 square feet can use a 100 AMP panel as long as they don't use air conditioning or electric heat. Homes over 3,000 square feet and homes that rely on electric heat and air conditioning will typically be better served by a 200 AMP panel.
How many breaker can I put in a 200 amp panel? ›How Many Breakers Are in a 200 Amp Panel? If you're using single-pole breakers, the panel will typically have 40 to 42 slots. When double pole breakers are used, the unit will have 20 slots.
How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be replaced? ›- Signs of Burning or Scorch Marks. ...
- Melted Wires. ...
- Panel Is Rusting. ...
- Flickering or Dimming Lights. ...
- Adding a New High-Powered Appliance. ...
- Panel Still Has Fuses. ...
- Panel Is Outdated and Unsafe (3 Notable Types)
- Breakers Trip Repeatedly.
- Your Home Has a Fuse Box.
- Odd Sounds from Breaker Box.
- Home Is More Than 20 Years Old.
- Burning Smell from Breaker Box.
- Melted Wires and Scorch Marks.
- “Heavy Up”
- Benefits to an Electrical Panel Upgrade.
Electrical panels supply electricity to each area of your home. Malfunctioning electrical panels can cause serious hazards, including fire. Common signs of a necessary electrical panel upgrade include rust, consistent need to flip breakers, and a burning smell.
Can you rewire a house without removing walls? ›As most homeowners are concerned with the disruptiveness of the process, a question electricians get a lot is “can a house be rewired without removing drywall?”. The answer is usually yes, and even a whole house rewiring can in some cases be done with minimum disruption.
Does homeowners insurance cover rewiring a house? ›Although most homeowners policies cover electrical wiring through dwelling insurance, there are cases where coverage may not apply. Depending on your home insurance choice, electrical wiring may need upgrading. You may have to make some changes for your new coverage to go live.
Does a 1970s house need rewiring? ›
If a property is more than 30 years old and has the original wiring, it is likely to need updating, at least in part, to meet modern standards, including replacing the fuse box with a modern consumer unit. A sign a rewire is necessary, is dated rubber, fabric or lead-insulated cabling.
Is it expensive to upgrade the electrical panel? ›For most electric panel replacement jobs, the cost is between $850 and $2,500. Your price will vary based on the amperage your home needs, and whether you're repairing or replacing your electrical panel.
What is the difference between a breaker box and an electrical panel? ›Circuit breakers are switches that open when too much current flows through them. They're also more convenient because you can easily reset them when they trip. An electrical panel is typically larger than a breaker box and contains multiple breakers, fuses, and fuse boxes.
What electrical panel is the best? ›- Schneider Electric 200 Amp Panel. Square D is a sub brand of Schneider Electric which is known for offering highly powerful offerings without charging a premium for the same including its electric panels. ...
- Siemens 200 Amp Panel. ...
- GE Energy 200-Amp Panel. ...
- Schneider 40 Space 200 Amp Panel.
- Federal Pacific – As mentioned above, Federal Pacific sold millions of breakers from the 1950s to the 1980s. ...
- Zinsco – Zinsco panels were used up until the mid-1970s. ...
- Sylvania – These panels were primarily used in the 1960s and 1970s, and they were rebranded Zinsco panels.
In order to protect your building's electrical service panel, you need to maintain it regularly. This involves keeping the lid shut, and checking periodically for signs of rust, moisture, and dirt. Furthermore, you should have routine maintenance done by a professional electrician at least once every three years.
Can I replace my own circuit breaker panel? ›The vast majority of homeowners should never even think about replacing a circuit breaker panel as a DIY project. A panel replacement exposes the person doing it to potentially deadly voltage levels. You should know that this job calls for at least one professional electrician.
How often should a breaker box be replaced? ›The average lifespan of a circuit breaker is about 30 to 40 years. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't check your breakers every once in a while. There are several signs to watch out for that can help you get ahead of a broken or outdated circuit breaker.
How much does it cost to upgrade electrical panel from fuses to breakers? ›The cost to replace the fuse box with a circuit breaker panel is between $1,500 to $4,500 on average. This is because fuse boxes are often on older homes that weren't built for higher amperages. Your electrician will need to completely rewire your home to accommodate for the upgrade as well as the new breaker panel.
Do I need an electrician to replace a circuit breaker? ›Having a licensed electrician replace your breaker will give you peace of mind, save you time, and could save you money by protecting you from property damage. While it may be tempting to do it yourself, most electrical projects are NOT DIY and require an expert.
What is included in an electrical panel upgrade? ›
What is an electrical panel upgrade? An electrical panel upgrade is where a combination of panel wiring, breakers, or fuses are replaced. This replacement results in increased energy management efficiency of your home. This process is often referred to as a "Main Panel Upgrade" (MPU).
What adds the most value to a home? ›- Redo your kitchen.
- Refinish or install hardwood flooring.
- Upgrade your insulation.
- Convert a basement or attic to a living area.
- Buy new siding.
- Get new roofing.
- Replace your garage door.
- Install new vinyl or wood windows.
- Luxury Items.
- Extensive Professional Landscaping.
- Solar Panels.
- Home Theater.
- Swimming Pool or Hot Tub.
- Garage Conversion.
- Sunroom.
- Over-Upgrading.
200-amp service is the current standard for new homes and updated service panels. It can supply all standard electrical needs in a typical family home but may not support a large electric heating system. In large homes, 300-amp or larger service capacity may be needed, particularly if the home has electric heating.
How many amps does a 3 bedroom house need? ›Most homes require an electrical service of at least 100 amps. This is also the minimum panel amperage required by the National Electrical Code (NEC). A 100-amp service panel will typically provide enough power for a medium-sized home that includes several 240-volt appliances and central air-conditioning.
How many circuits can I have in a 100 amp panel? ›If you take a look at popular panel manufacturers, a typical 100 Amp panel supports at least 20 Circuits. So, this type of panel can support 20 regular or standard Circuit Breakers. As per NEC, the maximum number of breakers that a 100 Amp Panel can hold is 42.
Why would you need a new electrical panel? ›A new electrical panel ensures that your home will continue a steady flow of electricity. Not only will you eliminate problems with flickering lights and burnt-out appliances, but you will also be able to add more appliances without tripping your breaker, blowing fuses, or damaging current appliances.
What is involved in upgrading to 200 amp service? ›A 200-amp service upgrade increases the capacity of your electrical distribution system and involves disconnecting the supply to install a new 200-amp electrical panel, meter socket, and wiring. The work will have to be inspected and authorized before the utility company can turn your electricity back on.
When did 200 amp service become standard? ›In the '60s and '70s, 100-amp service became more common – better than earlier service, but still low by modern standards. In the '80's, 200-amp became more common to accommodate the growing electrical demand of the various equipment in the home.
How much does it cost to upgrade a panel from 100 amp to 200 amp? ›On average, the cost to upgrade an old electrical panel of 100 amps to a new one of 200 amps is anywhere from $1,300–$3,000.
How many outlets can you have on a 20 amp circuit? ›
A good rule of thumb is to assume that there will be a maximum power draw of 1.5 amps for each outlet, allowing 10 outlets for a single 20-amp circuit.
How many amps is a standard house outlet? ›Household wiring emits 120 volts, on average. This means that household circuits are designed to carry 15 to 20 amps. Electrical outlets are rated based on amperage, either 15 or 20 amps.
How do you tell if a panel is overloaded? ›- Breaker constantly tripping. ...
- Breaker trips when a certain appliance is plugged in. ...
- Burning smell coming from the breaker box or outlet. ...
- Warm or hot electrical panel. ...
- Rust on the electrical panel. ...
- Flickering lights.
The "rule of six" refers to how many breakers or throws it takes to disconnect a building from the electrical supply, so if you have more than six breakers in a box at your service entrance there needs to be a disconnect upstream of it, either in the panel or upstream.
How many piggyback breakers are allowed in a panel? ›A 150-amp panel would allow a maximum of 30 circuit poles, and a 200-amp panel would allow a maximum of 40 circuit poles. For panelboards not manufactured as “lighting & appliance” panelboards, there is no limit to the number of circuit breakers allowed.
How often should electrical panels be replaced? ›The average panel can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, depending on multiple factors. If your home experiences frequent power surges or if your panel has been subjected to wear and tear, a replacement may be needed sooner rather than later.
Why is there a shortage of electrical panels? ›And in today's market, technology means electronics — even more so with the explosion of the Internet of Things smart technologies. As a result, the demand for electronic components has risen rapidly, and component producers have struggled to meet the demand, causing an electrical panel shortage.
What is the number one electrical wiring problem? ›#1) You Have Circuit Breaker Problems
A circuit breaker that trips occasionally is doing its job in preventing overheating and fires from overloads, but a circuit breaker that trips repeatedly means that there are bigger problems at hand.
Typically, every home has one main electrical panel that controls the amount of electricity entering the home. Sometimes, there's also a “sub-panel” that controls various circuits in a different area. What we want to find is the one main electrical panel.
How many amps should a house have? ›Most homes require an electrical service of at least 100 amps. This is also the minimum panel amperage required by the National Electrical Code (NEC). A 100-amp service panel will typically provide enough power for a medium-sized home that includes several 240-volt appliances and central air-conditioning.
When should you redo electrical in a house? ›
Other reasons to check the home electrical wiring
If your home is more than 40 years old. If you're relying on extension cords for power. If you've made major home improvements or added major new appliances that could strain your existing system. If your home has ungrounded, two-prong outlets.
Does rewiring a house add value? Updated electrical wiring improves the value of your property, as functional modern wiring is essential for any new homeowner. By having your property properly rewired, the value will increase.