Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost: 100A, 200A and 400A Service
Typical cost
$1,500 – $4,000
100A to 200A upgrade
Upgrading from 100A to 200A service typically costs $1,500–$4,000, with a national average around $2,200–$2,500. A 400A service (often needed for large homes with EV charging, a heat pump and other electric loads) runs $3,000–$8,000, since it usually requires a larger service entrance, bigger meter base and heavier wiring.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 100A service | $1,100 – $2,500 |
| 200A service (upgrade from 100A) | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| 400A service (upgrade from 200A) | $3,000 – $8,000 |
What changes the price
- Amperage jump — going from 100A to 200A is a smaller job than 200A to 400A, which usually needs a bigger meter base and heavier wire throughout.
- Whether a sub-panel is added instead of replacing the main panel outright.
- Utility coordination — the utility company must disconnect/reconnect service, which can add scheduling time and sometimes utility fees.
- Permit requirements and inspection strictness, which vary significantly by local jurisdiction.
- Panel brand and breaker count/configuration needed for your home's circuits.
Repair vs replace
A panel upgrade isn't really a repair-vs-replace decision — it's driven by capacity. If you're adding an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub, or a home battery and your panel is already near its rated capacity, an upgrade is typically required by code, not optional.
Quote checklist
- Exact amperage of both the old and new service, and why that size was chosen (an electrician should do a basic load calculation, not just guess).
- Whether the meter base and service entrance cable are being upgraded too — a bigger panel alone doesn't help if the wire feeding it isn't rated for it.
- Utility coordination — who schedules the disconnect/reconnect, and typical outage duration.
- Permit and inspection included, and who pulls the permit.
- Breaker count and labeling for existing and future circuits (EV charger, generator interlock, etc.).
FAQ
Do I need a 200 amp panel to install an EV charger?
Not always — many homes with a 100A panel and modest existing electrical load can add a Level 2 EV charger without an upgrade, especially with a load-management device. But if your panel is already near capacity (electric range, electric water heater, central AC, etc.), an electrician's load calculation will usually show you need more capacity before adding a charger.
Why does a 400 amp service cost so much more than 200 amp?
It's not just double the panel cost — 400A service typically requires a larger meter base, heavier service-entrance cable, and often a second panel (sub-panel) to distribute the extra capacity, all of which add labor and material cost beyond the panel itself.
Related costs
Sources & methodology
Cost figures on this page are sourced from published contractor and industry pricing data, cross-checked where possible, and shown as planning ranges — not a quote. Actual price depends on an in-home or on-site estimate.
- Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost (2026 pricing overview) — Angi, accessed 2026-09-16
Last reviewed: 2026-09-16