How Much Does It Cost to Install a Subpanel? [2026 Data]

The cost to install an electrical subpanel in your house is $1,200 on average, but prices range from $400 to $1,750}. An electrical subpanel is a service panel that passes power from your electric company to a specific area in your home. Let’s review how to budget for the cost of installing a subpanel with the help of a professional electrician.

Subpanel Cost Factors

Think of subpanels as a branch of your primary electrical panel, which is used to manage electricity in specific areas of the home, often as part of a new addition or remodel. Here’s what will have the biggest impact on your subpanel installation costs.

Size or Amps

Subpanels, like main electrical panels, are rated based on their size, or the amount of amps they can handle. The standard is 200 amps, but higher amp panels (such as 400 amps) are becoming popular in large homes with high electricity needs.

The size of a subpanel is limited by guidelines set by local utility companies, as well as the size of the main panel. Electricians advise that subpanels not exceed 50% of the main panel’s amps. The larger the panel and the more breakers it has, the more expensive it will be. A 50-amp panel may start around $400, while a 100-amp panel may start around $500.

Distance

The farther away the subpanel is from the primary electrical panel, the more it’s going to cost to install. A far-off subpanel requires extra wiring and planning. If it’s too far away from the main panel, electricians may need to upgrade the type of wiring used for the subpanel, which will create additional costs.

AFCI and GFCI Protection

AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) and GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) components help shut down outlets or breakers if they have a problem with the electrical current. It’s common to install panel breakers with AFCI and GFCI controls built in. However, these will cost more than breakers without those protections.

Main Electrical Panel Upgrades

If your subpanel is going to be in charge of several appliances or electrical devices, it may need to draw on a lot of amps, too. If the subpanel’s amp needs get too high, electricians will recommend upgrading your main panel and your home electrical service to handle more amps. 

Cost of Common Subpanel Add-ons

A few add-on services are common during subpanel installations, depending on its location and role in your home. 

Combination Upgrades

A combination panel has features of main panels and subpanels, making it even more suited for a separate living space, such as a finished basement. These upgraded panels typically cost several hundred dollars more than a standard subpanel.

Grounding Rods

A grounding rod helps protect an electrical panel from lightning strikes. If you are installing your subpanel on a separate building, such as a separate garage, your electrician will likely advise adding a grounding rod. That can add $200 to $500 to your subpanel installation.

Main Breaker

Subpanels installed in the same building as the main panel don’t usually need a main breaker of their own. However, if they are installed in a separate building, a main shutoff breaker may be required as an important safety feature.

Labor

Electricians usually charge by the hour, including travel and time on task. Typically, the cost to hire an electrician ranges from $50 to $130 per hour. 

Moving a Subpanel

Moving a subpanel from one area to another costs an average of $1,000 to $3,000. Costs depend on factors such as whether the panel is indoors or outdoors, how many circuits are moving, and how many floors are in your home. Moving an electrical panel outside costs roughly $1,500 to $2,500, including necessary equipment and wiring. 

Permits

Installing a subpanel requires electrical permits, and you could get fined without the proper documentation. These permits typically cost around $50 to $300. 

The permit types you’ll need depend on your location and the specific project details. You should communicate with your electrician to determine whether this cost is covered in their price estimate.

New Wiring

It costs roughly $1,400 to install new electrical or panel wiring, depending on how much you need. You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2,200 to install new wiring. 

Why You Should Hire a Subpanel Installation Pro

Installing a subpanel costs between $400 and $1,750 on average. While the cost of wiring a subpanel yourself as a DIY project could, in theory, save money, incorrect installation could cost far more than hiring a pro, in terms of time, effort, and safety. Because the job involves wiring, special connections, meeting permit requirements, and serious potential dangers both during and after the project, your best option is to hire a local and licensed electrician for the task. 

Here’s Why It’s Ideal to Hire a Subpanel Installation Pro

Because installing a subpanel requires extensive training and strict code compliance, hiring a licensed electrician is always best:

• Licensed electricians have the tools, knowledge, and experience to stay safe during the work and keep you safe afterwards. 

• DIY installation errors can create hazards like overloads, fires, or code violations.

• DIY failure to obtain proper permitting and inspections can result in fines, insurance denials, or problems when selling the home. 

• Professionals handle all necessary permits and inspections and must meet strict and mandatory compliance regulations.

• They ensure component, voltage, and amperage compatibility between the new subpanel and your primary electrical panel. 

• Reputable electricians warrant their work and carry insurance to protect you and themselves. 

How to Save Money on Subpanels and Installation 

One of the advantages of installing a subpanel is that it’s budget-friendly compared to upgrading the main electrical panel and its wiring. Here are some of our best suggestions on how to save money on this project:

• Hire during construction off-seasons: During busy construction seasons, electricians often charge higher prices, especially for a single residential project. Schedule your installation during the winter off-season to make scheduling easier and increase the likelihood of a lower rate. 

• Keep your wiring and main panel updated: Know the current state of your electrical panel, your home’s amperage, and how your wiring supports your electronics. Investigate problems like frequent breaker tripping or other signs that your electrical panel isn’t keeping up with your home’s needs. 

• Position the subpanel close to the main panel: The farther away your subpanel is from the main panel, the more wiring electricians will need to run. We recommend locations  like by the entrance of a furnished basement or the closest wall of a separate garage.

• Keep amperage manageable: Choosing a higher amperage will raise costs without giving you any benefit in return, and may require more expensive wiring, too.

• Get multiple quotes: When shopping around for an electrician, see if you can arrange for multiple quotes for a project to find the best value for your budget.

Why Do I Need a New Subpanel? 

One of the most common reasons a homeowner may need a new subpanel is because they live in a home that is more than 15 to 20 years old, and the house simply has more energy needs now than it did when it was built. Homes built in the 80s and 90s weren't designed to keep up with the electrical demands of modern technology (think computers, smart devices, electric vehicles, and other technological conveniences).

Some other reasons you may need a new subpanel include the following: 

• Your main panel is full, and you need more space to add circuits.

• You need a subpanel in another location for the sake of convenience.

• You're expanding your home or doing some remodeling that requires additional electronic needs.

In many cases, a new subpanel is warranted if your old one is not functioning properly. Some warning signs that you may need a new subpanel include frequent breaker trips, heat, buzzing or humming noises coming from the panel, and visible damage.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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