Looking to size up your electrical system to cover higher usage and improve efficiency? Use this guide to see the cost to upgrade an electrical panel.
6 Questions to Ask About Upgrading an Electrical Panel or Wiring
You’ve got the power
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Upgrading an electrical panel yourself is unsafe and illegal in most areas, as this work requires a licensed electrician to ensure proper installation and code compliance.
Expect to pay $1,200 to $2,000 for professional electrical panel upgrades, with rewiring costs ranging from $2 to $4 per square foot for your home.
Before calling an electrician, prepare to discuss your home's age, size, project timeline, budget, and whether you need additional electrical work completed at the same time.
Hiring a local electrical professional ensures your panel upgrade meets safety codes and permits, protecting your home from electrical hazards and potential fires.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
If you’re a hands-on homeowner, there are plenty of rewarding DIY projects you can tackle on your own—but upgrading your electrical system isn’t one of them. Instead, you’ll need to hire a licensed electrician for this type of work. But before reaching out to a pro, ask yourself these electrical wiring questions to prepare for the project.
1. Why does your electrical system need an upgrade?
First and foremost, your local electrician will need to know what prompted you to contact them. Whether you constantly have to flip your breakers, see sparks when you plug things in, or are preparing for a remodel, be ready to explain what you hope to achieve from your electrical upgrade.
2. How big is your home?
In some cases, the size of your home will directly affect the price of your project. For example, let’s say you need new wiring throughout your house. Since rewiring a home costs $2 to $4 per square foot, it would cost $3,000 to $6,000 to rewire a 1,500-square-foot property. For a 2,500-square-foot house, those prices increase to $5,000 to $10,000.
3. How old is your home?
It’s also helpful to let your electrician know when your house was built. If you have an older home, there’s a chance that the electrical system is outdated and potentially unsafe. Giving the pro a heads-up will let them know what to expect and help them prepare for their visit.
4. When do you want to start this project?
Be prepared to discuss the project schedule as well. Depending on the work being performed, your electrician might need to turn off the power to your home for a few hours or days. For more complex or dangerous projects, you might need to move out temporarily. In either case, it’s vital to prepare accordingly—especially if you work from home or use medical equipment that requires electricity.
5. Do you need any other electrical work done?
If you’re already hiring an electrician to upgrade your electrical panel or wiring, it’s a good opportunity to take on any other electrical work you’ve been considering. Maybe you’ve been wanting to install new lighting fixtures, run electricity to your shed, or set up a home theater. Whatever your goal is, you may be able to save time and money by tackling multiple projects at the same time.
6. What’s your budget?
Budget is another important topic to discuss when speaking with an electrician. The average cost to upgrade an electrical panel ranges from $1,200 to $2,000. However, these costs will vary depending on the panel's amperage, size and layout, permit prices, labor rates, and other factors. Before hiring an electrician, we recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to compare costs.
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
- Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - Regina H.
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLC - Jeffrey J.
The techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - William R.
Victor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLC - Jerald W.
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLC - Paul H.
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLC - Sarah C.
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
- Erin W.
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
- Gregory B.
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Your budget for moving an electrical panel depends on the type, labor, and more. Find out the average cost to move an electrical panel.
Electrical panel replacement costs $530 to $2,100, depending on the location, the type of hardware, and any required building materials.
Is it time to upgrade your electrical panel? For the sake of safety, find out sooner than later by exploring our top signs that it’s time for an upgrade.
Looking to improve your home’s energy output and want the full picture on electrical panel upgrades before you commit? Learn the benefits of upgrading your electrical panel.
Discover how to upgrade your electrical panel for added convenience and to help increase the safety of the electrical system in your home.