Electrical panel upgrade cost: 100 to 200 amps and more

Panel prices by amperage

These are Angi’s 2026 ranges for the panel plus installation (Angi):

• 100 amps: $800 to $1,500
• 150 amps: $1,300 to $1,600
• 200 amps: $1,300 to $2,000
• 300 amps: $1,800 to $3,500
• 400 amps: $2,000 to $4,000

Angi says 200 amps is usually enough for a home of up to about 1,800 square feet. Replacing a panel costs about $520 to $2,200, and electricians charge about $40 to $250 an hour (Angi).

Costs that can surprise you

The panel is only part of the job. If your service wire and meter are sized for less, they may need upgrading too (Angi). Angi’s 2026 ranges for related work:

• Meter box: about $200 to $800 to install or replace
• Main breaker: $500 to $2,000
• Subpanel: about $400 to $1,750
• Rewiring inside walls: $1,500 to $12,000

Do you really need a bigger panel?

Angi says about two-thirds of its panel projects are service upgrades, often to add an EV charger or new appliances or to stop breakers from tripping (Angi). Before you agree to one, ask the electrician to do a load calculation and explain whether a smaller fix, such as a new circuit or a subpanel, would do the job.

Safety comes first

The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 24,200 home electrical fires in 2021 caused 295 deaths, 900 injuries and more than $1.2 billion in property loss (USFA). Panel work should go to a licensed electrician, with a permit and inspection.

What about the tax credit?

The IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covered panels of 200 amps or more, up to $600, only when installed to support qualifying energy property such as a heat pump. It applied to improvements made through Dec. 31, 2025, so don’t count on it for new work (IRS). Check your utility for current rebates instead.

How to pay less

• Get three quotes that list the panel brand and size, breakers, permit, meter work and drywall patching.
• Bundle the work with an EV charger, heat pump or remodel so you pay for one permit and one visit (Angi).

Would a home warranty help with the next electrical bill?

A home warranty is a service contract that helps pay to repair or replace some home systems and appliances. Know these numbers before you buy:

• Price. The DC Attorney General says a basic home warranty costs $500 a year or more (DC Attorney General). NerdWallet’s average was about $876 a year (NerdWallet).
• Service fee. You usually pay a fee for each repair visit, typically $75 or more (DC Attorney General). NerdWallet found an average of about $108 (NerdWallet).
• Is the item covered? Some plans exclude kitchen appliances, water heaters, furnaces and other major appliances, or charge extra to cover them (DC Attorney General).
• Caps and exclusions. Claims can be capped. Contracts can exclude wear and tear, manufacturer defects and problems from skipped maintenance. The company may repair rather than replace, and may pick the contractor (DC Attorney General).

A home warranty usually doesn’t pay for an upgrade you choose to make, so treat a plan as help with future breakdowns, not with a planned panel project. Don’t count on a brand-new plan to pay for something that’s already broken; read when coverage starts and what it excludes. See our home warranty cost guide.