How To Upgrade Your Electrical Panel Safely

Whether you live in an older home and suspect outdated electrical service or need more electrical power for updated appliances, you may wonder how to upgrade your electrical panel. While upgrading your electrical panel is a risky project that requires a professional to tackle, it's important to understand what to expect during the job. Here's what you need to know about the hows and whys of electrical panel upgrading.

Why Do I Have to Upgrade My Electrical Panel? 

Several reasons exist for why you may need to upgrade your electrical panel. The most common reason is to update old electrical service to a more modern, safe, and robust system. Upgrading to 100 or 200-amp electrical service from an old home's fuse box or undersized breaker box can increase the safety of the entire system.

Another popular reason to upgrade your electrical panel is to add more circuits. This scenario is common when building a home addition or updating older appliances with new ones that require more or dedicated electricity. Switching your HVAC system from gas to electric or adding central air conditioning is also a good time to consider upgrading your electrical panel and system.  

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade an Electrical Panel?

The average cost to upgrade an electrical panel from 100 or fewer amps to 200 is $1,600. However, the price can range from $800 to over $4,000, depending on the job's specifics. Adding higher amp service, such as 300 or 400 amps, will increase the cost, as will adding new circuits that require additional wiring. If your home doesn't currently have grounded outlets, that additional task and expense will increase the project's cost.

How to Prep for an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Electrical panel upgrading is generally not a DIY project. In some municipalities, parts of the job aren't legal for a homeowner to accomplish without the help of an electrician. Besides the high degree of electrical knowledge that’s necessary, upgrading an electrical panel can be hazardous and even lethal.

Preparing for an electrical panel upgrade comes down to choosing which electrical contractor will do the work. Swapping electrical boxes and rewiring parts of your house is a major job and requires due diligence when selecting your service provider. Whenever you hire a contractor for any work, obtain at least three price quotes from different companies. Compare the price quotes based on price and the scope of work in them. Consider contacting previous customer references from each potential electrician to learn more about their recent experiences.

How to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel

Upgrading your electrical panel can mean different things in different situations. In some cases, your electrical system may only require some repair and internal updating, and you won't need any assistance or scheduling from your electrical service utility provider. However, there are extra steps involved when upgrading to 200 amp service or higher that involve the power company. 

1. Create a Plan

Upgrading your electrical panel means your home's electricity will be off for a while, which can disrupt everyday life. With the help of your electrician, develop a plan, including what work is necessary, how much it will cost, how long it will take, and what day or days work best.

2. Receive Approval for the Upgrade 

Your electrician will take the information from the plan and file a permit application with your city or municipality. The permit application requires specifics about the upgrade, and approval is necessary before any work can begin. Keep in mind that your electrician will handle this part of the process, and you should ensure that’s the case before hiring them.

3. Schedule the Service Disconnect  

The power company that supplies electricity to your home will need to turn off the flow of electricity to the house before upgrading your panel. Your electrician will schedule this time with the power company. The service provider may also inspect, upgrade, or replace parts of the service connection to the home during this time.  

4. Install the New Electrical Panel

While the electrical power is off, the electrician will remove the existing panel and any wiring that needs replacing. The electrician will install the new panel, breakers, wiring, and other necessary components. If there's other electrical work to perform, whether related to the upgrade or not, consult your electrician about whether it makes sense to add on that service now or wait until a later date. 

5. Pass the Electrical Inspection

Your electrical company can only turn the power back on to your home once your upgrade work passes a final electrical inspection from your city or municipality. Your electrician will meet the inspector and notify the electrical utility provider to turn the power on after the inspector signs off on the permit. 

Tips for Dealing With an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Upgrading the electrical panel in your home requires excellent planning and timing. Your electrician must have skills not only related to the physical work itself but also the ability to schedule and delegate effectively. Here are a few tips to help make your electrical upgrade project go smoothly. 

• Obtain at least three quotes for the work and carefully interview each company before hiring.

• Schedule your panel upgrade for a time or day when few people will be home or when not having electricity will be the least disruptive.

• Schedule any other electrical upgrades or repairs in the home at the same time as the panel upgrade to minimize disruptions. 

DIY Electrical Panel Upgrading vs. Hiring a Pro

The cost to replace a circuit breaker box averages between $520 and $2,085, and upgrading your electrical service can increase that cost. While much of the price goes toward paying for labor, and it may appear more cost-effective to DIY it, doing so is dangerous and sometimes illegal. When it's time to upgrade your electrical panel, contact an electrical panel upgrade professional near you to start the process. These pros have the skills and knowledge to seamlessly upgrade your electrical system with efficiency in mind.