Quick answer: Replacing an electrical panel in 2026 averages around $1,475, with most homeowners spending between roughly $1,287 and $1,707, according to HomeGuide. Upgrading from 100 to 200 amp service often runs about $1,300 to $3,000, and a 400 amp upgrade can reach $2,000 to $4,000 or more. Prices vary by region, amperage, and how much rewiring is involved, so post your job free on Qiggz for real local quotes from licensed electricians.
Your electrical panel is the box in the basement, garage, or hallway that you only think about when a breaker trips. It is the heart of your home's electrical system, splitting the power coming from the utility into the circuits that feed every room. When it is old, undersized, or unsafe, replacing it is not optional.
The good news is that a panel replacement is a much smaller and more predictable job than a whole-house rewire. The not-so-good news is that the price still swings a lot depending on what amperage you need, whether the panel has to be moved, and how much of the surrounding wiring has to be touched to bring everything up to code.
This guide breaks down the 2026 ranges the major cost trackers report, explains what pushes the number up, and shows how to get an accurate quote for your panel instead of a national average.
What affects the cost of replacing an electrical panel
Two jobs that both get called "panel replacement" can cost very differently. Here is what moves the price.
- Amperage. A like-for-like swap of an existing panel is the cheap end. Upgrading service capacity, for example from 100 amp to 200 amp or 400 amp, costs more because it can require a new meter base, heavier wire from the meter to the panel, and coordination with the utility.
- Panel versus full service upgrade. Replacing just the panel and breakers is one cost. A full service upgrade that touches the meter, the service entrance cable, and the grounding system is a bigger job.
- Relocation. Moving the panel to a new spot adds significant cost because new cable has to be run to the new location and the old wiring re-routed.
- Fuse box to breaker conversion. Older homes with a fuse box usually need a full panel and often grounding upgrades to meet current code.
- Sub-panels. Adding a sub-panel for a garage, addition, or workshop is a separate line item.
- Permits and inspection. Panel work requires a permit and a code inspection in most areas.
- Region and labor. Angi reports electricians charging roughly $50 to $150 per hour, and a panel job can take 20 hours or more, so local labor rates matter a lot.
Because the right answer depends on your service size and your home's wiring, the ranges below are for budgeting, not a quote.
Cost to replace an electrical panel: typical ranges for 2026
The table pulls figures the major home-services cost trackers report for 2026. Every number is sourced and repeated in the Sources section. Treat these as planning ranges.
| Panel scenario | Typical cost range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Replace electrical panel (average / typical) | ~$1,475 average; most $1,287 to $1,707 | HomeGuide (2026) |
| 100 amp panel replacement | $850 to $1,600 | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Upgrade to 200 amp service | about $1,300 to $3,000 | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Upgrade to 400 amp service | $2,000 to $4,000 (up to ~$12,000 with new placement and major rewiring) | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Install a sub-panel | $530 to $1,940 | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Relocate the panel | $1,000 to $3,000 | HomeGuide (2026) |
| Replace the main breaker | $500 to $2,000 | Angi (2026) |
| Permit | $50 to $300 | Angi / HomeGuide (2026) |
| Electrician labor rate | $50 to $150 per hour | Angi (2026) |
Reading the table: the single "average" figure of about $1,475 is a national midpoint for a straightforward panel replacement. The moment you add amperage, move the box, or convert an old fuse system, you move toward the upper figures. A 200 amp upgrade in a high-cost metro with a new meter base and utility coordination can easily run higher than the national midpoint, which is exactly why a local quote beats an average.
Is replacing an electrical panel a DIY job?
No. A panel replacement is licensed-electrician work. The panel is where the utility's power enters your home, and parts of the job involve conductors that stay live even with the main breaker off. Getting it wrong risks electrocution, and a poorly installed panel is a fire hazard.
It is also a code-and-permit issue, not just a skill issue. Panel and service work must be permitted and inspected in most jurisdictions, and the utility usually has to disconnect and reconnect power for the swap. A licensed electrician coordinates that shutoff, sizes the service correctly, grounds and bonds the panel to code, and gets it inspected. Unpermitted panel work can fail at resale and can jeopardize an insurance claim.
There is essentially no safe DIY version of this job. The homeowner's role is choosing a licensed pro and deciding on the service size with their guidance.
How to save money and get accurate quotes
You cannot DIY this safely, but you can still control the cost.
- Get at least three quotes. Panel pricing varies widely between electricians, so comparing several bids is the best way to find a fair price.
- Ask for an itemized estimate. A clear quote separates the panel and breakers, labor, any meter or service-entrance work, the grounding upgrade, permits, and patching. That makes bids easy to compare.
- Right-size the service. Do not pay for 400 amp service you will never use, but do not under-size either if you are adding an EV charger, heat pump, or major appliances. A good electrician will help you match the panel to your real load.
- Bundle related work. If you are already adding circuits, an EV charger, or a sub-panel, doing it at the same time as the panel saves a second trip and second permit.
- Confirm permits and utility coordination are included. The quote should cover pulling the permit, the inspection, and arranging the utility disconnect and reconnect.
- Hire licensed and insured pros only. Always verify the electrician is licensed in your state and insured before work starts. Panel work is not the place to chase the cheapest unlicensed bid.
The reason quotes matter is simple: "cost to replace an electrical panel" depends entirely on your amperage, your existing setup, and your location. The only number that counts is the one a licensed electrician gives you after looking at your service.
When to hire a pro
For a panel replacement, always hire a licensed electrician. Call one promptly if you notice any of these signs that your panel is failing or undersized:
- A fuse box instead of circuit breakers
- Breakers that trip frequently or do not reset
- A panel that is warm to the touch, buzzing, scorched, or rusted
- Flickering or dimming lights when appliances kick on
- Reliance on extension cords and power strips because you are out of circuits
- Plans to add an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or major appliance that needs more capacity
- A known recalled or obsolete panel brand
When you want real numbers, do not rely on a national average. Post your panel job free on Qiggz and licensed electricians local to your zip code can respond, inspect your service, and quote your actual job. Compare bids and message pros directly before you commit. To go straight to the trade, start at hire an electrician.
The bottom line
Replacing an electrical panel in 2026 averages around $1,475, with most homeowners spending roughly $1,287 to $1,707 per HomeGuide. Upgrading to 200 amp service typically runs about $1,300 to $3,000, and a 400 amp upgrade can reach $2,000 to $4,000 or more. The price depends on amperage, whether the panel moves, how much rewiring is involved, and your local labor rates. It is licensed-electrician work, with permits and a utility shutoff, every time.
Your number depends on your panel. Post your job free on Qiggz, with no lead fees and no commissions, get quotes from licensed electricians near you, and put your money toward the work instead of toward finding the worker. Ready? Hire an electrician on Qiggz.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace an electrical panel in 2026?
A panel replacement averages around $1,475, with most homeowners spending between roughly $1,287 and $1,707, according to 2026 HomeGuide data. A basic 100 amp replacement runs about $850 to $1,600. Costs rise when you upgrade amperage, move the panel, or convert an old fuse box. Get a few local quotes for an accurate figure.
How much does it cost to upgrade to a 200 amp panel?
Upgrading from 100 to 200 amp service typically costs about $1,300 to $3,000, per 2026 HomeGuide data. The price depends on whether you also need a new meter base, heavier service wiring, and utility coordination. A licensed electrician can quote your specific upgrade after seeing your current panel and meter.
Can I replace my own electrical panel?
No, this is not a safe DIY project. A panel replacement is licensed-electrician work because it involves conductors that can stay live even with the main breaker off, and it must be permitted, inspected, and coordinated with a utility power shutoff. Unpermitted work can fail at resale and jeopardize insurance claims. Hire a licensed pro.
How long does it take to replace an electrical panel?
A panel replacement is often a one-day job, but a full service upgrade with utility coordination can take longer, and Angi notes the labor alone can run 20 hours or more for some jobs. The most reliable timeline comes from the electrician who sees your service. Post your job on Qiggz to get a realistic estimate with your quote.
Does replacing an electrical panel require a permit?
In most areas, yes. Panel and service work requires a permit and a code inspection, with electrical permits commonly costing about $50 to $300 (Angi, 2026). The utility also typically has to disconnect and reconnect power. Confirm your electrician's quote includes the permit, the inspection, and the utility coordination.
How do I get an accurate quote to replace my panel?
Have at least three licensed electricians inspect your panel and meter and provide itemized estimates, since the cost depends on your amperage and existing setup. You can post your job free on Qiggz and have licensed electricians near you respond with quotes based on your actual service, then compare bids and message them directly.
Sources
- Panel replacement average (~$1,475; most $1,287 to $1,707), 100 amp replacement ($850 to $1,600), 200 amp upgrade (about $1,300 to $3,000), 400 amp upgrade ($2,000 to $4,000, up to ~$12,000 with new placement and major rewiring), sub-panel ($530 to $1,940), and panel relocation ($1,000 to $3,000): HomeGuide, "Cost To Replace Electrical Panel | Upgrade Breaker Box Amps [2026]": https://homeguide.com/costs/cost-to-replace-electrical-panel
- Main breaker replacement ($500 to $2,000), electrician labor rate ($50 to $150/hr, jobs of 20+ hours), and permit cost ($50 to $300): Angi, "Cost To Replace Electrical Panel [2026 Data]": https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-replace-circuit-breaker-box.htm
- Additional panel-cost and permit reference: Fixr, "Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost | Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel": https://www.fixr.com/costs/install-electrical-circuit-panel-upgrade and Bob Vila, "Electrical Panel Replacement Cost: A Homeowner Budget Guide": https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cost-to-replace-electrical-panel/
- Qiggz "free to post, free to apply, no lead fees, no commissions, local-matched, direct messaging": first-party (Qiggz product), see https://qiggz.com/about/qiggz
