How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $521 - $2,093
On average, electrical panel replacement costs $1,278
, depending on the panel type. Most spend between $521
and $2,093
.
The cost to replace an electrical panel is $1,278
on average, though it can range between $521
and $2,093
depending on the breaker type and complexity of the project. Boxes and electrical panels older than 25 to 40 years can be a fire hazard, and having an older electrical system may affect your insurance costs because they are deemed less safe. Learn about the cost to replace a breaker box, when to hire an electrician, and all electrical panel replacement cost factors, in this guide.
Electrical Panel Replacement Cost Factors
The cost to replace an electrical panel varies according to several factors, including the panel or box type, necessary amperage, accessibility concerns, and more. Here is what your money goes toward when hiring a pro for this improvement project.
Electrical Panel Prices by Type
The term “electrical panel” refers to several components within your home’s electrical system beyond the panel itself. Plenty of parts are susceptible to serious maintenance issues, requiring replacement. Additionally, when upgrading to this system, many homeowners swap out pre-existing components, like standard fuse boxes, to allow for complete integration.
Type of Electrical Panel | Cost Range |
---|---|
Main Breaker | $500–$2,000 |
Fuse Box | $1,500–$2,000 |
Main Lug Panels | $400–$1,750 |
Subpanel | $400–$2,000 |
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement | $100–$200 |
Electric Meter Box Replacement | $100–$650 |
Main Breaker
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. A low-amperage main breaker with a few circuits falls at the bottom of the price range, while a breaker with an amperage of 300 or 400 amps resides at the top of that range.
Fuse Box
When upgrading an electrical panel, many homeowners opt to swap out the pre-existing fuse box with a circuit box designed for the new panel. This switch helps protect the wiring from melting due to excessive heat. Replacing a fuse box with a circuit breaker box costs $1,500 to $2,000, though this price increases if the wiring requires a complete overhaul. Replacing a pre-existing fuse box with another fuse box of a similar type costs $200 to $2,000.
Main Lug Panels
Main lug panels are a type of subpanel, also called a downstream panel or secondary panel. It does not contain the main breaker and acts as a space for additional circuit breakers to decrease the load on your whole system. This main lug panel acts as a distribution panel to any other subpanels further down the stream. Main lug panels cost $400 to $1,750 to install, depending on the amperage and circuit capacity.
Subpanel
If your main breaker box is full, add a subpanel to increase the number of available circuits. The cost to install a subpanel is $400 to $2,000, depending on the amperage and the number of integrated circuits. Subpanels include space for four to 20 circuits, depending on the design.
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
Replacing a circuit breaker switch costs between $100 and $200, including parts and labor. Standard 15- to 20-amp circuit breaker switches cost $5 to $15 each, and larger 20-amp switches cost $10 to $20 each. If you are sticking with your old fuse box over a circuit breaker box, purchasing a set of three fuses costs $5 to $10. Some older fuses are harder to find, driving up the price to $70 each, depending on availability.
Electric Meter Box Replacement
Installing a new electric meter costs $100 to $650, including parts and labor. As the name suggests, a meter box contains the meter that measures how much electricity you are using. Pros install meter boxes outside to make them accessible to utility workers. These boxes are lockable, water-resistant, and weather-resistant. Replace your electric meter box if you add more circuits via a subpanel or two. Additionally, older meter boxes include mercury and you should replace them.
Amperage Needed
The cost increases with more amps, as these amps place a maximum on how much power your home draws. Most homes run fine with 150 or 200 amps, though if you live in a small house with minimal appliances and no air conditioning, a 100-amp box is a decent option. Let’s review the cost ranges for each of the common amperages. These costs are for parts only.
Amperage Amount | Cost Per Box |
---|---|
100 Amps | $100—$200 |
150 Amps | $150—$250 |
200 Amps | $250—$350 |
400 Amps | $500 |
Type
The type of electrical panel or circuit box is the largest cost factor, as these systems feature many moving parts, and not all require simultaneous replacement. The main breaker panel controls the circuit breakers, and they dictate how much electricity is used in the home. When it comes to circuit breakers, you choose from three main types, each with unique cost ranges.
Type of Circuit Breaker | Cost Per Unit | What to Know |
---|---|---|
Standard Circuit Breaker | $10 | Found in most single-family homes. |
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) | $30—$100 | Specialized breakers prevent electric shocks if it contacts water. |
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) | $30—$100 | Resist loose connections in the wiring. Required by some municipalities. |
Panel Location
Electrical panels and boxes are found all over the home but must adhere to location rules and guidelines. The easier your panels are to access, the lower the labor costs. Newer homes often feature electrical panels outside, nestled in a waterproof box for easy access. Moving the electrical panel outside requires plenty of wiring and costs $1,500 to $2,500, allowing increased access to power the whole system down in the case of an emergency.
Labor
The lion’s share of the budget for this project goes toward labor when you hire a local electrician. Replacing an electrical panel and all its associated components takes at least 20 hours of work, with some jobs ballooning up to 30 hours or more. Professional electricians charge $50 to $150 per hour, varying the total labor cost from $1,000 to $4,500. Replacing a single panel, without any other upgrades, takes four to eight hours.
Permits
This task is serious electrical work with plenty of inherent risks. In other words, panel replacement requires a permit from a local regulatory agency. Many electricians pull the permit for you and add the cost to your estimate. Electrical permits cost between $50 to $300, depending on where you live. The cost of the post-job inspection is usually covered by pulling the permit.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond parts, materials, and labor, some homeowners have additional costs with this project. These costs are for non-mandatory projects typically recommended by professional electricians when they upgrade electrical panels.
Relocation
Moving the electrical panel to another location within the home, or outside, costs $1,000 to $3,000. These costs vary based on the number of circuits, new location, number of floors, and whether the box doubles as a circuit junction. Sometimes pros must remove a portion of the drywall to access the panel or to create a new home for the circuit. If that’s the case, you’ll pay extra to place new drywall to replace the old material. Installing new drywall costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
Trenching
Trenching is a process where the overhead line is buried when replacing the electrical panel. This process requires an electrician for the wiring and a local professional excavator to dig the trench. Trenching costs around $6 per linear foot, with a project cost of $600 to $2,100 to bury any affiliated wires and lines. These costs include materials and labor for both an electrician and an excavator.
Additional Outlets or Wiring
Many homeowners opt to add more outlets when replacing the electrical panel, to avoid another service call down the line. Adding an outlet costs $100 to $185, depending on the outlet’s location, the necessary wiring, and if new circuits are required.
If your electrician finds worn-out wiring, they’ll recommend replacing as much as possible to keep the system operating at peak efficiency. Replacing faulty wiring costs around $6 per linear foot, with a total project cost of $600 to $2,300. If your entire home needs new wiring, the costs go up to $4,500 or more.
Drywall Repair
As mentioned above, electrical panels and related circuits and wires are not always out in the open and sometimes they are not accessible at all. In these cases, pros remove portions of the drywall to access the panel and conduct necessary repairs or replacement steps. Some electricians repair any drywall they damage as part of the work, but this is not always the case. If you are left out in the cold with a sizable gap in your wall, contact a local drywall contractor. It costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot to install new drywall, but you can save some money by hanging drywall all by yourself.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Working with electricity is extremely dangerous and you should hire a local electrician to avoid injury and ensure your new electrical panel is up to code.
In addition, professional electricians are insured in case of any accidents that may occur on the job and may offer warranties on their work or the components they install—just ask during the hiring process.
Stick to pros for this job, though some non-electrical steps are fine for handy homeowners. For example, if your electrician tears out some drywall, you can install a new sheet on your own.
How to Save on Electrical Panel Replacement Costs
Looking to save a few bucks when replacing an electric panel and related components? Here are some tips for doing just that.
Look For Rebates
Upgrading your electrical panel to a more energy-efficient model may come with local, state, and federal rebates, tax credits, or incentives. For example, EnergyStar offers an electric panel upgrade tax credit from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2032. Homeowners can claim 30% of the total project cost and receive a maximum of $600 in federal tax credits.
Bundle Tasks
Most pros offer discounts when bundling tasks together into a single job, as this prevents another service call. Consider adding outlets, replacing the meter box, and wiring new additions while replacing the panel.
Ask a Pro to Purchase Supplies
This is not your electrician’s first rodeo, so they likely have a robust contact list to source parts and materials for less than a local hardware store. If they buy the parts, they pass any savings on to you.
Prepare the Area Ahead of Time
Keep the pro’s hourly rate down by preparing the area ahead of time. Clear out any potential obstacles and clean the space. Ideally, the pro starts working the moment they arrive, without wasting time on clearing away cobwebs.
DIY What You Can
It is not safe for you to replace the panel yourself, but you can save money by handling associated tasks such as laying drywall and painting the walls afterward.
Gather Multiple Estimates
It is always a great idea to gather several estimates before settling on a pro. Not only does this ensure you get a great price, but it also allows you to use lower quotes as leverage to lower the price with your chosen electrician.
Choose Reasonably-Priced Parts
Your total cost can increase significantly if you choose a more expensive electrical panel brand and upgrades. You can reduce your total cost by selecting standard components instead of high-end upgrades.
When to Replace an Electrical Panel
There are many reasons that you may need to replace or update your circuit breaker box. If your electrical panel is old, the last thing you need to worry about is putting out an electrical fire. Here’s when you should replace your electrical panel:
You want to add more outlets or large appliances to your home.
You want to move your electrical panel to a better or safer location.
Your circuit breaker box or fuse box is more than 25 years old or you simply want to update it.
You are experiencing frequent power surges and/or tripped breakers.
Your electrical power supply is not strong enough to handle all of your appliances.
The lights in your home constantly or sporadically flicker and you don’t know the cause.
Your energy costs are increasing and you’ve made no other changes (dated fuse boxes or breakers are less efficient).
The panel is rusted shut, broken, or making odd and off-putting noises.
The panel is hot when you touch it or, even worse, emits smoke during use.
You’re making updates before selling your home.
How to Decide Which Electrical Panel and Amp You Need
While a professional electrician can recommend the best electrical panel size for your home, you can use this helpful guide to estimate it based on your home’s consumption.
Electrical Panel Size in Amps | Home Usage |
---|---|
Less than 100 amps | Smaller homes without major electrical systems |
150 amps | Smaller homes with several appliances or power strips running at the same time |
200 amps | Homes built since 2015; Homes larger than 1,800 square feet; Homes with additions or garages |
300 amps | Large homes or homes with home businesses that require commercial-grade electrical equipment |
More than 400 amps | Very large homes with multiple additions and extreme levels of energy consumption |
In addition, if you’re considering adding a whole-house generator, you’ll want to make sure that you upgrade your amperage to meet the generator’s wattage demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Replacing the panel itself takes four to eight hours of work by a professional. However, if associated wiring and related components also require replacement, the labor time increases to 20 to 30 hours. Your electrician can speed up the process by bringing in a team of pros to handle ancillary tasks.
It starts with sourcing parts and materials and contacting the utility company to completely shut down the power supply. Next, the pro prepares the board for replacement by carefully removing any associated wires and inspecting the system for damage. The panel is removed and disposed of safely before the new panel is affixed to the wall. Finally, the wiring is updated to reflect the new panel.
You're in luck, because replacing a breaker panel is not a regular occurrence that most homeowners have to worry about. Electrical breaker panels last 25 to 40 years, assuming you properly maintain your system and conduct annual inspections. Factors like load demand and exposure to the elements slightly reduce a breaker panel’s lifespan.
There are many signs it is time to replace an electrical panel, starting with flickering lights. Other tell-tale signals include overheating appliances, light fixtures that cause an electric shock, hissing or crackling from the breaker box, burned or blackened spots near the breaker box, and breakers that trip whenever activating power-hungry appliances like microwaves.