Panel Risk Check
Your home inspector flagged the panel, or you found an old brand name on the door. Answer six questions to see how urgent a visit from a licensed electrician is and what panel work typically costs. This tool does not replace an on-site evaluation.
Typical cost of panel work
Two cost guides, side by side. They use different data and don't always agree, so treat the ranges as a sanity check for a quote.
| Job | This Old House (2026) | Fixr (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Panel replacement or upgrade, typical range | $800–$4,000 | $1,500–$4,500 |
| 100 A panel | $800–$1,500 | $1,000–$1,600 |
| 150 A panel | — | $1,300–$2,400 |
| 200 A panel | $1,300–$3,000 | $1,600–$4,000 |
| 400 A service | $2,000–$4,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Fuse box to breaker panel | — | $1,500–$4,500 |
| Meter box (installed) | $1,800–$3,500 | $200–$800 |
| Moving the panel | $800–$3,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Permit | $50–$300 | $50–$300 |
This Old House: 100/200/400 A = panel plus installation; most homeowners pay $1,300–$3,000 for a 200 A upgrade, about $2,150 on average. Fixr: 100/150/200 A = replacement with labor; 400 A = upgrade with labor; average job about $3,000; the permit can run higher than $300. Electrician labor runs about $40–$120 per hour (Fixr).
Sources: This Old House, “What Is the Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?” (updated Mar 31, 2026); Fixr, “Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost” (updated Jan 31, 2025). Prices vary a lot by region, permits, and the condition of the wiring; only an on-site quote is reliable.
What to ask the electrician
- Do the breakers in this panel need to be replaced, or the whole panel?
- Is my service size enough for what I plan to add (EV charger, heat pump)?
- Does the job need a permit and inspection in my city, and is it included in the quote?
- Will the utility company need to be involved?
Next step: have a licensed electrician look at the panel.
Ask at least three licensed electricians for an on-site evaluation and a written quote. You can check a contractor's license with your state licensing board.
Illustrations on this page are AI-generated to help you picture the situation. They are not photos of real homes, jobs or people.