Electrical Panel Upgrade: Cost, Timeline, Benefits & Guide 

There are many houses in which the electrical system was installed many years ago because using more energy is not possible for the circuit to handle the electrical load which is required by appliances. And the people take the step to upgrade the electrical panel so that the house there is not damaged by the appliances. This article will guide you about several factors which affect the cost of upgrading the electrical panel. 

Cost to upgrade electrical panel:

  • The cost on average to upgrade an electrical panel is from $1300 to $3000.
  • The cost to upgrade the electrical panel varies according to the amperes of the circuit on average a smaller or larger upgrade of the electrical panel is from $800 to $4000.
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Some factors for the total cost to upgrade the electrical panel

The following are some factors for the total cost to upgrade the electrical panel:

  • The panel size of the electrical panel affects the cost to upgrade the panel as the size of the panel ranges from 60 to 400 amps. 
  • The cost is different in the case of installing a new electrical panel and upgrading an old electrical panel. 
  • It is more costly to install the new electrical panel when compared to upgrading the existing panel
  • The other factors which are involved in the cost to upgrade the panel are if there is a requirement for any meter box etc. 
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Cost to upgrade a 200 amps panel:

  • The average cost to upgrade a panel to 200 amps is from $1300 to $1600. 
  • To install a new service it is from $1800 to $2500 but depends on the labor required. 
  • The cost is not always fixed as in case there is a need to add new wire etc. 
  • The panel ranges from $41 for a 16-space panel of 200 amp to $387 for a 42-space panel. 
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Cost to upgrade a 100 amps panel:

  • The average cost to upgrade or replace the electrical panel is from $850 to $1100.
  • The average cost to install a new panel of 100 amps is from $1200 to $1600.
  • There will be some conditions in which there is also a need to replace the fuse box with the breaker panel and the cost to replace is explained next. 
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Cost to replace the fuse box with breaker panel:

  • The average cost of replacing a fuse box with a breaker panel in case of upgrading the electrical panel is from $1100 to $4000.
  • The cost to replace is not fixed; it depends on the capacity a new breaker panel is able to handle.
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Some reasons to install a new breaker box 

The following are some reasons to install a new breaker box:

  • If we compare the fuse box with the breaker they are more convenient because if the circuit breaker trips then you need to only flip the circuit back but if the fuse box is out you need to replace the whole box. 
  • There is a need to replace the fuse box with a breaker because before fuse boxes are used to handle the low electrical load. It cannot handle high loads of electricity and causes fire hazards. 
  • There are many appliances that do require a 220V circuit which a fuse box is not able to deliver to the appliances. 

Cost to replace breaker switch:

  • The average cost to replace the circuit breaker switch is from $150 to $200 which includes the labor and material cost. 
  • The cost to replace the switch varies according to the type of switch you need which can be as low as $5 to $40.
  • The cost used to pay for the electrical on average is from $40 to $99 per hour. 
  • The time taken to replace the switch is from 2 to 3 hours. 
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Cost to replace the main circuit Breaker:

  • The average cost to replace the circuit breaker is from $40 to $100 for a part. 
  • The average cost per hour is from $40 to $100 if the installation is done by an electrician. 
  • The main circuit is used to shut off the electricity of the whole house if any of the small circuit breakers are not able to trip. 
  • The main circuit will trip also in case of a surge of electricity, lighting, etc. 

Cost to replace electric meter box:

The average cost to replace the electric meter box is from $200 to $500 but it does depend on the number of circuits which can be from $8 to $30.

Meter sizeAverage cost
100 amp meter box$55 – $250
200 amp meter box$85 – $680
400 amp meter box$480 – $765

Cost to install new electrical panel:

  • The range of Installing a new electrical panel is from $40 to $1250 but the cost depends on the amperage and types of the electrical panel. 
  • If you install a new meter in the panel it costs between $200 to $500.
  • Installing an electrical panel does cost more than the cost of labor for installation. 
ampscost
100 amp panel$25 – $199
120 amp panel$25 – $233
150 amp panel$85 – $360
200 amp panel$75 – $870
400 amp panel$480 – $765
Electrical Panel
Electrical Panel

Conclusion:

If you are living in a home with an old electrical panel then it’s high time to upgrade or install a new electrical panel to avoid various risks. there are lots of benefits of upgrading the electrical panel such as home safety, consistent power, saving money, etc. so from above you can have the information of cost to upgrade an electrical panel

Rick Costa

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