What this service does
Your panel distributes power, while the electrical service brings it into your home. Adding a charger, heat pump, or new living space can change the demands on both. A load calculation and equipment assessment help determine whether a repair, subpanel, load-management solution, or full service upgrade is appropriate.
Main panel replacement, same amperage: $3,150–$5,400 per panel before tax
Replacing an existing panel in place. This range does not cover every service upgrade, panel relocation, or increase in service capacity.
What affects the cost
- Panel location and access
- Existing wiring and grounding conditions
- Whether utility coordination or a service size change is needed
- Equipment selected
- Permit and inspection requirements
Estimated pricing helps you plan. Your project’s cost depends on the existing electrical system, access, equipment, and scope. We’ll explain the work and pricing before getting started.
Explore specific services
Estimated prices for specific jobs
Before tax and permit or utility fees. Hourly labor is not a total project price. Full price list.
100A to 200A main service upgrade$4,950–$9,000 per project
Increase service capacity with a new panel, meter equipment, service conductors and grounding as needed.
Typical accessible overhead service. Utility charges and major relocation excluded.
200A to 400A / dual 200A service upgrade$10,800–$22,500 per project
Install larger service equipment and distribution for substantially higher household demand.
Class 320/400A design is utility-specific. Transformer, civil work and utility charges excluded.
Main panel replacement, same amperage$3,150–$5,400 per panel
Replace the existing breaker panel and transfer existing branch circuits without increasing service size.
Standard panel and breakers included. Meter/service reconstruction and smart panels excluded.
Federal Pacific / Zinsco / split-bus panel replacement$3,600–$6,300 per panel
Replace an obsolete panel and reconnect serviceable branch circuits to modern protection.
Includes ordinary circuit cleanup. Extensive damaged wiring or meter work costs extra.
Meter base / socket replacement$1,620–$3,600 per project
Replace the customer-owned meter enclosure and coordinate utility disconnect and reconnect.
Same location and amperage. Utility fees and mast replacement excluded.
Service entrance cable / mast / weatherhead replacement$1,800–$4,500 per project
Renew deteriorated service conductors and overhead attachment equipment.
One accessible overhead service. Roof repair, structural repair and utility charges excluded.
Main breaker replacement$540–$1,350 per breaker
Replace a failed main breaker with a compatible listed unit and verify connections.
Assumes a serviceable panel and obtainable breaker. Utility coordination may increase cost.
Standard circuit breaker replacement$180–$315 per breaker
Replace one failed standard branch-circuit breaker and test the circuit.
One service visit. Fault tracing, specialty breakers and damaged bus repairs excluded.
Dual-function AFCI/GFCI breaker addition or replacement$247.50–$450 per breaker
Install a compatible breaker providing both arc-fault and ground-fault protection.
One circuit with suitable existing wiring. Shared-neutral or leakage corrections extra.
Whole-home surge protection at panel$315–$720 per device
Install a panel-mounted surge protective device to reduce transient voltage exposure.
Standard residential SPD, breaker if needed and short connections included.
Whole-home energy monitor / smart panel monitoring$450–$900 per monitor
Install an add-on current-transformer energy monitor and configure its app.
Range is for an Emporia-style monitor. A full SPAN panel replacement is a separate project, estimated at $6500–$11000.
Grounding electrode and bonding upgrade$720–$1,800 per project
Improve grounding electrodes and accessible water-pipe and intersystem bonding connections.
Typical rods and accessible bonding runs. Long or concealed routes and excavation extra.
Panel labeling, tracing and directory$270–$720 per panel
Identify branch circuits and prepare a readable panel directory.
Approximately 20–40 circuits. Difficult concealed circuits or multiple panels cost more.
Service relocation / overhead-to-underground conversion$7,200–$16,200 per electrical scope
Relocate customer-owned service equipment and install the underground service raceway and related wiring.
Electrical portion for roughly 50–100 ft. Utility design/fees, trenching and surface restoration excluded.
Garage subpanel, 50–100A$1,620–$3,150 per project
Install a feeder, breaker and subpanel to supply garage circuits.
Attached garage, approximately 25–50 ft feeder. Branch circuits and service upgrade excluded.
Basement / second-floor subpanel$1,800–$4,050 per project
Add distribution closer to new loads with a feeder from the main panel.
Approximately 30–60 ft route. Finished-wall fishing can push the price higher.
Detached workshop / shed subpanel$2,250–$4,950 per project
Feed a detached building and install its subpanel and required grounding components.
Approximately 50–75 ft feeder in an available route. Trench and branch wiring excluded.
ADU / DADU subpanel and feeder$3,150–$6,750 per project
Provide a dedicated feeder and distribution panel for an accessory dwelling.
Approximately 50–100 ft, typically 100–125A. Utility metering, trench and dwelling branch wiring excluded.
Feeder replacement / upsizing$1,350–$3,600 per feeder
Replace an undersized or damaged feeder and update terminations and protection.
Approximately 25–50 ft accessible run. Existing equipment must accept the new rating.
Exterior disconnect switch$540–$1,440 per disconnect
Install a suitable outdoor disconnect for equipment or a feeder.
Range is for 30–100A non-service equipment. A 200A service disconnect is estimated at roughly $1500–$3500.
Subpanel neutral / ground isolation correction$315–$810 per panel
Separate neutral and equipment grounding connections and correct inappropriate bonding.
Assumes an adequate feeder equipment grounding conductor already exists. Feeder replacement excluded.
Temporary construction power panel$1,800–$4,050 per setup
Install a temporary pole or pedestal, distribution panel and jobsite receptacles.
Basic setup only. Utility charges, rental duration and later removal excluded.
Common options and scope
Main panel replacement
Replace damaged, obsolete, or unsuitable equipment with a properly sized panel. Evaluate existing breakers, circuit conditions, working clearances, labeling, and protection requirements.
Service capacity upgrades
Evaluate 100-, 125-, 150-, 200-amp and larger residential service options according to calculated demand and utility approval. A larger panel alone does not increase utility service capacity.
Subpanels and feeder circuits
Provide distribution for additions, workshops, garages, and detached buildings. Feeder sizing, separate neutral and grounding arrangements, disconnects, and routing need coordinated planning.
Meters, service equipment and breakers
Scope meter-base work, service mast or weatherhead repairs, disconnects, approved breaker replacement, and utility coordination. Utility-owned equipment remains the utility’s responsibility.
Load management and circuit directories
Consider energy-management equipment where appropriate, correct circuit identification, and compatible surge protection. Never replace a breaker with a larger one merely to stop nuisance tripping.
What happens during the work
Utility requirements, permit jurisdiction, power shutoff scheduling, service conductor routing, equipment clearances, and available fault current affect the final design. Service reconnection must be coordinated rather than promised for a universal timeframe.
Helpful to have ready
A photo of the closed panel and its label is useful. List anything you plan to add, like an EV charger, heat pump, or remodel. Never remove electrical covers or touch exposed wiring for a photo.
Questions
Does an EV charger always require a panel upgrade?
No. Existing capacity, the selected charging rate, other electrical loads, and approved load-management equipment may allow charging without a full service upgrade. A load calculation establishes the options.
Real project photos
Where this service is available
Seattle, the Eastside, and mainland communities from Marysville to Tacoma. See all service areas.
Not sure what you need?
Send a photo. Ask a certified electrician.
Not sure what you need? Send a photo and tell True what’s going on or what you’d like to change. Get help understanding your options and the next step.
Ask about this service
What happens next
Tell us what you’re working on. True will review your request and respond by your preferred contact method. Together, we’ll determine whether the next step is advice based on your photos, a visit, or an estimate. Estimates are free, including on-site visits.