How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost? (200-Amp Guide)

Typical price ranges

Published 2026 cost guides put a standard 200-amp panel upgrade at roughly $1,300 to $3,000, with more involved installations running $2,500 to $4,500 or higher. The panel itself is a small part of that, often a few hundred dollars; most of the cost is labor, permitting, and any work on the service around it.

These are national figures. Pacific Northwest labor rates and the age of the home can move the number, so treat them as a starting point and not a quote.

A panel swap vs. a service upgrade

Replacing an existing 200-amp panel with a new one is a smaller job than upgrading a 60- or 100-amp service to 200 amps. A true service upgrade can involve the meter base, the service mast and conductors, and coordination with the utility for the disconnect and reconnect, so it costs more and takes longer.

What drives the cost up

• Meter base and service entrance work, including a new mast or heavier conductors
• Grounding and bonding corrections, common in older homes
• Panel location: tight spaces, finished basements, or relocating the panel
• The number and type of circuits, since AFCI and GFCI breakers cost more than standard breakers
• Permit and inspection fees, which vary by city

Signs your home may need an upgrade

• Breakers trip regularly when you run normal loads
• The panel has no open slots, or has been filled with tandem breakers
• You are adding an EV charger, heat pump, electric range, hot tub or an addition
• The panel is warm, buzzing, or shows scorch marks (call an electrician right away)
• You still have a 60-amp or small 100-amp service in a home that uses far more electricity than it did when built

What to expect from the process

A licensed electrician should start with a load calculation, not a guess. The work is permitted and inspected, and the utility is coordinated for a short power interruption. Most upgrades are completed in a day or two.