People use "panel upgrade" and "service upgrade" interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing — and the difference matters for your budget. A panel upgrade swaps the breaker box inside your home. A full electrical service upgrade can also involve the components that connect your home to the grid: the service entrance cable, the mast, the meter base, and the grounding system. When the utility's side of the equation is part of the job, the scope and the cost both grow.
In 2026, an electrical service upgrade costs $1,800 to $6,000 for most homeowners, with a typical 200-amp upgrade around $2,500 to $4,000. A simple panel-only swap sits at the low end. A full service upgrade with a new mast, meter base, and utility coordination — or a jump to 400 amps — runs toward the top and beyond.
This guide breaks down electrical service upgrade cost by service size and by scope, explains what the utility company does and doesn't charge for, and walks through the process.
Electrical Service Upgrade Cost by Scope
The biggest cost variable is how much of the system you're touching. Here's how scope drives price for a 200-amp upgrade.
| Scope of Work | Typical Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Panel-only swap | $1,800–$3,000 | New breaker box, same service entrance |
| Panel plus meter base | $2,500–$4,000 | New panel and new meter socket |
| Full service upgrade | $3,000–$5,000 | New panel, meter base, mast, and service cable |
| Service upgrade with overhead-to-underground | $4,000–$8,000+ | Converting an overhead drop to a buried line |
| Service relocation | $3,500–$6,000+ | Moving the meter and panel to a new location |
Cost by Service Size
After scope, amperage is the next big lever. Most homeowners upgrade to 200 amps; a smaller group with large or fully electrified homes goes to 400.
| Service Size | Typical Upgrade Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 100-amp service | $1,500–$2,800 | Small homes, gas heat and appliances |
| 150-amp service | $1,800–$3,400 | Mid-size homes, partial electrification |
| 200-amp service | $2,000–$5,000 | The modern standard, EV and heat-pump ready |
| 300-amp service | $3,500–$6,500 | Large, fully electrified homes |
| 400-amp service | $4,000–$8,000+ | Very large homes, workshops, multiple EVs |
For help deciding between 100 and 200 amps, see our 100 vs 200 amp electrical panel cost guide.
What the Utility Company Charges
One of the most confusing parts of a service upgrade is the utility's role. Here's how it typically works:
- Disconnect and reconnect. The utility shuts off power at the meter so the electrician can work safely, then restores it. Many utilities do this at no charge; some charge a $100 to $500 coordination fee.
- The service drop. The wires from the utility's pole or transformer to your home are usually the utility's responsibility, and they often upgrade them for free when you increase service.
- The meter base and mast. These are usually the homeowner's responsibility, installed by your electrician.
- New transformer capacity. Rarely, a big jump in service (like going to 400 amps) requires the utility to upgrade a shared transformer, which can add cost and delay.
Utility policies vary widely by region, so ask your electrician — they coordinate with the utility routinely and will know your area's rules. Some utilities also offer rebates for electrification-related upgrades, so it's worth asking.
What Drives the Final Price
Overhead vs. Underground Service
Homes with overhead service (a visible wire from a pole) are generally cheaper to upgrade than homes with underground service, where trenching may be involved. Converting overhead service to underground is its own significant project.
The Mast and Weatherhead
If your service entrance mast is old, corroded, or undersized, it gets replaced as part of the upgrade — adding $200 to $1,000.
Grounding and Bonding
Modern code requires a proper grounding system, including ground rods and bonding. Older homes frequently need grounding brought up to code, which adds labor and materials.
Permits and Inspection
A permit is required everywhere, typically $50 to $500. The inspection that follows is your protection — it confirms the work is safe and code-compliant.
Local Labor Rates
Electrician rates range from roughly $100 to $250 per hour depending on your metro. Labor is 50 to 70 percent of the total, so regional rates move the bottom line significantly.
Overhead vs. Underground: A Closer Look
How power reaches your home changes the upgrade significantly. With overhead service, a visible wire — the service drop — runs from a utility pole to a weatherhead on your roof or wall, down through the mast to the meter. Upgrading overhead service is generally the simpler, cheaper job: the electrician replaces the mast, weatherhead, and meter base, and the utility swaps the drop. With underground service, the wires are buried from a transformer or pedestal to your meter. Upgrades can be more involved, especially if the buried conductors themselves need replacing, since that may mean trenching across your yard. Converting overhead service to underground is a distinct, larger project — often $4,000 to $8,000 or more — usually chosen for aesthetics or storm resilience rather than necessity.
The Service Upgrade Process
- Load calculation and quote. The electrician assesses your needs and recommends a service size.
- Permit and utility coordination. The electrician pulls a permit and schedules the utility disconnect.
- Power disconnect. The utility cuts power at the meter on the work day.
- Installation. The electrician replaces the panel and any service-side components — meter base, mast, grounding — over 4 to 10 hours.
- Reconnection. The utility restores power, usually the same day.
- Inspection. A municipal inspector verifies the work, typically within 1 to 5 business days.
Plan for most of a day without power. The full project, including permit and inspection, usually takes 1 to 3 weeks.
Electrical Service Upgrade Cost by Region
Because labor is the largest single cost and rates swing widely by metro, location has a real effect on the total. These ranges are for a standard 200-amp service upgrade.
| Region | Typical 200-Amp Service Upgrade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $3,000–$5,500 | High labor, strict permitting and inspection |
| West Coast | $2,800–$5,000 | High labor, utility rebates available |
| Midwest | $2,000–$4,000 | Moderate labor rates |
| South | $1,800–$3,800 | Lowest labor rates nationally |
| Mountain West | $2,200–$4,500 | Strong demand from new construction |