How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel?

By Geoffrey Sperring

June 02, 2025

While you love your vintage house, having continual problems with the electrical service panel can get you down. Your main circuit breaker keeps tripping for no obvious reason, and the condition of the panel is a cause for concern.

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Electrical panel replacement isn't just about functionality; it's about safety. Here's a look at how much this process costs.

What Does It Mean to Upgrade or Replace an Electrical Panel?

The electrical panel hidden away in a basement or utility closet is often overlooked when it comes to planning home improvements. Unfortunately, electrical panels have a limited lifespan, and older ones often don't have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of modern households.

There are two common concerns: The panel has too few circuit breaker slots and the main circuit breaker doesn't have enough capacity. You can upgrade the panel by replacing the main breaker and installing space-saving tandem breakers to increase the number of available circuits. Alternatively, you could replace the electric panel with one rated for a higher amperage and space for more circuits.

What Are Some Reasons Your Home’s Electrical Panel Needs to Be Upgraded or Replaced?

If you live in an older home, there's a good chance the electrical panel may need replacing or upgrading. Warning signs that you need electrical panel repairs include frequent breaker tripping, burning smells, panel rust and insufficient space for additional circuits. Here's a more in-depth look at some good reasons to replace or upgrade an electrical panel.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

If the breakers keep tripping, it's a sign they're overloaded or need to be replaced. If the main breaker trips, your total load may be too high, and you may need to upgrade or replace the electrical panel.

Burning Smells

If you notice a smell of burning rubber or plastic, it's a sign of overheating due to corrosion or overload. Burning smells should be investigated immediately as they're a fire risk and a strong indication the panel needs urgent repair or replacement.

Rusty Electrical Panel

Panels can corrode, especially from the back. Rust is caused by the presence of moisture, which is dangerous. A rusted electrical panel should be replaced.

Insufficient Circuit Slots

If there are no more available circuits, you need a larger electrical panel with more circuit breaker slots or, if local regulations allow, tandem circuit breakers.

Older Fuse Box

Although replacing a compliant fuse box in an older home may not be required, upgrading to a modern electrical panel means you can add more circuits. Compared to fuses, circuit breakers are safer and can be easily reset. The wiring found in fuse boxes deteriorates with age and may be a safety hazard. Additionally, a fuse box's maximum load often limits how many appliances you can run without blowing the main fuse.

New Appliances

If you're installing new electrical appliances, such as a water heater or heat pump, you'll likely need to upgrade the electrical panel. The same applies if you've bought a battery-powered vehicle and want to install a charging station.

Home Renovations

Renovating your home offers an excellent opportunity to replace a lower-capacity electrical panel with one with sufficient capacity to meet your future electrical needs. You might also consider upgrading the electrical entrance and rewiring your home to the latest standards.

What Does the Process Look Like?

First, the electrical contractor obtains a permit from your local building department, then disconnects power to your home. Then, they open the circuit breaker panel and disconnect the wiring to each circuit breaker before removing all the breakers and wires.

If you're upgrading the electrical panel, the electrician may need to install a new main breaker and bus bar. Additionally, it may be necessary to replace the meter box and possibly upgrade the electrical service connection from the utility.

After removing the old breaker box, they install the new electrical panel and individual breakers, then reconnect all the circuits. Before the new components are switched on, the installation work must be checked by a licensed electrical inspector to ensure it complies with the National Electrical Code and functions properly and safely. The installation or upgrade of an electrical panel typically takes between four and eight hours.

On Average, How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Electrical Panel?

Here's a look at the average costs for electrical panel replacements, based on pricing data from This Old House.

100 Amps

Panel Cost: $100–$200 (CAD 140–CAD 281)
Panel Plus Installation: $1,200–$1,600 (CAD 1,683–CAD 2,244)

200 Amps

Panel Cost: $250–$350 (CAD 351–CAD 491)
Panel Plus Installation: $1,300–$2,500 (CAD 1,823–CAD 3,507)

300 Amps

Panel Cost: $350–$500 (CAD 491–CAD 701)
Panel Plus Installation: $2,000–$4,500 (CAD 2,805–CAD 6,312)

400 Amps

Panel Cost: $450–$650 (CAD 631–CAD 912)
Panel Plus Installation: $4,000–$6,000 (CAD 5,611–CAD 8,416)

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How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel to 200-Amp Service?

Older homes often have 100-amp or 150-amp electrical panels, while newer homes normally need a minimum 200-amp power supply. A 200-amp panel upgrade usually costs between $1,750 and $2,500 (CAD 2,455 and CAD 3,507). In addition to the upgraded electrical panel, the electrician may need to replace the meter box and the service line from the utility to the house. The cost of a new meter box varies from $200 to $800 (CAD 281 to CAD 1,122), while the cost of a new service line ranges between $1,050 and $3,200 (CAD 1,473 and CAD 4,488), depending on whether the line is run overhead or underground.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Fuse Box With a Breaker Panel?

Replacing a fuse box with a breaker panel should cost the same as replacing an older panel of the same amperage. For example, if you're replacing a 100-amp fuse box with a 100-amp electrical panel, the cost would be between $1,200 and $1,600 (CAD 1,683 and CAD 2,244). However, if you're upgrading to a 200-amp panel, the cost would increase to between $1,300 and $2,500 (CAD 1,823 and CAD 3,507).

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Single Breaker Switch or Fuse?

The costs of replacing one breaker in your electrical panel are shown below. Also included are costs for installing arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These breakers are essential safety devices and required for certain circuits.

15-Amp Rating

Circuit Breaker Cost: $7–$9 (CAD 9.82–CAD 13)
AFCI/GFCI Cost: $60–$90 (CAD 84–CAD 126)

20-Amp Rating

Circuit Breaker Cost: $7–$9 (CAD 9.82–CAD 13)
AFCI/GFCI Cost: $60–$90 (CAD 84–CAD 126)

30-Amp Rating

Circuit Breaker Cost: $17–$19 (CAD 24–CAD 27)
AFCI/GFCI Cost: $100–$250 (CAD 140–CAD 351)

50-Amp Rating

Circuit Breaker Cost: $20–$40 (CAD 28–CAD 56)
AFCI/GFCI Cost: $100–$250 (CAD 140–CAD 351)

Electrician Labor Costs to Replace an Electrical Panel

The amount you pay to replace a circuit breaker includes the cost of the breaker itself and labor costs for the installation. Electricians typically charge between $50 and $100 (CAD 70 and CAD 140) per hour, but you may also be charged a callout or service fee.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace the Main Circuit Breaker?

The cost to install a main circuit breaker is between $200 and $300 (CAD 281 and CAD 421). If it's necessary to replace the hot bus bar in the electrical panel, the added cost would be between $300 and $1,700 (CAD 421 and CAD 2,384), depending on the amperage of the circuit. When upgrading to a higher-rated main breaker, you may also need to replace the meter box and service line.

Are Electrical Panel Upgrades DIY-Friendly?

In most cities and municipalities, only a licensed electrician can perform electrical panel replacements and upgrades. Additionally, the NEC's specific requirements for residential wiring must be followed. If you don't have a license or the required knowledge, attempting DIY electrical work can be dangerous and could invalidate your homeowner's insurance. Honestly, those labor costs are worth the electrician's expertise.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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