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

In 2026, the national average cost to install an electrical subpanel is $1,200. Most homeowners spend $400 to $1,750, with subpanel amperage, number of breakers, and distance from the main panel accounting for the range. An electrical subpanel distributes power from your main panel to a specific area of your home, and working with a licensed electrician keeps the job safe and up to code.

Subpanel Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

A subpanel acts as a branch of your primary electrical panel, directing power to a specific area of your home, and installation costs vary based on several key factors. 

Size or Amps

Subpanel costs rise with the amount of amps the panel is rated to handle, with a 50-amp panel starting around $400 and a 100-amp panel starting around $500. Most homes use a 60- to 125-amp subpanel, though 200-amp and 400-amp panels are sometimes installed for large homes, workshops, or properties with high electricity demand. The capacity of your main panel and local utility guidelines both limit how large a subpanel can be, so an electrician will confirm what your system can support.

The table below shows how average costs differ by amperage:

Distance

Distance from the main panel is a direct cost driver for subpanel installation, since a farther location requires more wiring and additional planning. When the subpanel is placed too far from the main panel, electricians may need to upgrade to a higher-grade wiring type, adding further to the project cost.

AFCI and GFCI Protection

AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) and GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) components protect your home by shutting down outlets or breakers when an electrical current problem is detected. Breakers with these protections built in are a common choice during subpanel installation, though they cost more than standard breakers without them.

Main Electrical Panel Upgrades

A subpanel powering several appliances or devices can place significant amp demands on your electrical system. When those demands exceed what the current setup can support, electricians will recommend upgrading your main panel and your home's electrical service to handle the increased load.

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 blends the features of a main panel and a subpanel, making it a strong fit for separate living spaces like a finished basement. These upgraded panels typically cost several hundred dollars more than a standard subpanel.

Grounding Rods

Adding a grounding rod to your subpanel installation costs $200 to $500 and protects the panel from lightning strikes. Your electrician will typically recommend one whenever the subpanel is installed in a separate structure, such as a detached garage.

Main Breaker

Subpanels in the same building as the main panel generally do not require a dedicated main breaker, but a main shutoff breaker is often required as a safety measure when the subpanel is installed in a separate structure.

Labor

Electricians charge by the hour for subpanel work, and the cost to hire an electrician typically ranges from $50 to $130 per hour, covering both travel time and time on the job.

Moving a Subpanel

Moving a subpanel from one location to another costs an average of $1,000 to $3,000, with the final price depending on whether the panel is indoors or outdoors, how many circuits are involved, and how many floors the wiring must cross. Relocating a panel to an outdoor location specifically runs roughly $1,500 to $2,500, including the necessary equipment and wiring.

Permits

Electrical permits are required for subpanel installation, and skipping them can result in fines; permits typically cost $50 to $300. The specific permit types you need depend on your location and project details, so confirm with your electrician whether permitting costs are included in their estimate.

New Wiring

New wiring for a subpanel installation costs roughly $1,400 on average, though the full range runs from $600 to $2,200 depending on how much wiring your project requires.

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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