How Much Does Electric Meter Box Replacement Cost in Minneapolis, MN? [2026 Data]

Electric meter box replacement cost in Minneapolis, MN averages $1,048 in most cases. However, you might pay $524 to $2,201 for different considerations when upgrading your panel. Your local electrician is mostly considering things like the size of your home's power output and the accessibility of your meter box when determining price. Read on to learn more about costs that go into this task.

Electric Meter Box Replacement Cost Factors

An electrical meter box is an important component of your electrical system. It holds the electrical meter, which measures the amount of energy your home uses.

The electrical meter box attached to your Minneapolis, MN home measures your household energy usage. Your power company won't supply power to your home if it's not functioning properly. Here's a look at the top cost factors locally for meter box replacement.

Power

The cost of the electrical meter box itself is $55 to $380 in most cases, but it varies based on the strength of the box (measured in amperes or amps) and its features. Homes with larger electrical panels need meter boxes that match that capacity. Most homes have an electrical panel that can handle 200 amps.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for an electric meter box (not including labor) depending on your home’s current electrical capacity:

Materials

In addition to the cost of the meter box itself, which runs between $55 and $380, you may need to pay for additional parts and materials for installation. This can include connectors, fittings, and fasteners, which cost around $120 altogether.

Meter Location

Home electric meters can be in several locations, including outside for easy access or next to the electrical panel. But there’s a caveat about electric meter locations: You can’t always change them. Electric meter locations may be mandated by local building codes and agreements with local utility companies.

The Minneapolis Department of Labor and Industry dictates that exterior electric meters need to be mounted on the side of a home at 4 to 6 feet above grade. They should also be mounted on the side of the home that's accessible to the nearest power source. The power company may charge you a fee for moving it or may not let you move it at all. If you *can* move the meter, expect doing so to cost between $1,500 and $2,700.

However, there is another option: You can move your electrical panel to a new location if it was installed beside the meter. This is a big project requiring a professional electrician, and it can cost between $1,575 and $4,150, depending on the panel’s new location.

Electrician Costs

Professionally licensed electricians in Minneapolis, MN are needed for this project. By hiring a professional, you can obtain the city permits and permission from your local power company needed for a safe, up-to-code replacement.

Local Labor

Expect local electricians in Minneapolis, MN to charge between $50 and $140 per hour. Consider asking about the cost to upgrade your electric panel if you need more power for new appliances at your home.

Permits

To replace an electric meter box in Minneapolis, MN, you'll need an electrical permit from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) or the City of Minneapolis. The only way that the city will give a homeowner a permit for this project is if they pass a written competency test for wiring and meet several other qualifications. This is why it's standard to hire a locally licensed electrician instead. The base price of an electrical permit in Minneapolis, MN is $35. However, you may pay more if the project is complex or requires several inspections from the city.

Taxes

Be sure to budget in the 9.025% sales tax that applies to all materials your contractor will purchase for this project.

Insurance

To legally perform electrical work, electricians in Minneapolis, MN must hold state-mandated general liability insurance with a minimum $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate. They must also have workers' compensation for any employees. These requirements can add $30 to $180 in average monthly premiums.

Licensing and Certification Requirements

Any professional electrician you hire in Minneapolis, MN must be licensed by the DLI Board of Electricity. This is the requirement for a pro to pull the city permits needed for electric meter box replacements. The initial cost for licensure is $50 for journeyworker electricians and $188 for electrical contractors.

Does Replacing an Electric Meter Box Increase Home Value?

While replacing an electric meter box won’t necessarily increase your home value in and of itself, it’s a smart investment for other reasons. Locals rely on their electricity to run air conditioning in humid summer conditions and heating in below-freezing Minnesota winters. By failing to fix a broken meter, you risk having power shut off to your home. Plus, upgrading a meter box that's in bad shape is a great investment in making sure your home passes future inspections if you plan to sell.

How Angi Gets Its Local Cost Data 

To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.

Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.

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