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 |
Signs Your Service Needs Upgrading
Beyond planned projects like EV charging, a few symptoms point to service that's already stretched too thin:
- You have 60-amp or 100-amp service and run a modern, appliance-heavy household.
- Breakers trip when several major appliances run at once.
- Lights dim noticeably when the AC compressor or another large load starts.
- You find yourself "managing" which appliances can run together.
- The meter base or service mast is visibly corroded, loose, or damaged.
- An inspector or insurer has flagged the service during a sale or policy review.
If you recognize several of these, a load calculation from a licensed electrician will confirm whether an upgrade is warranted.
How to Save on a Service Upgrade
- Bundle the work. If you're adding an EV charger, a heat pump circuit, or a subpanel, doing it alongside the service upgrade saves on repeat trip charges and permit fees.
- Get three licensed quotes. Make sure each one spells out the scope — panel only, or panel plus meter base and mast — so you're comparing equals.
- Ask the utility about rebates. Electrification-related incentives can offset a meaningful chunk of the cost in some service areas.
- Right-size the service. For most homes, 200 amps is the correct target; paying for 400 without a clear need wastes money.
- Don't skip the permit. It's modest insurance against insurance denials, failed resale inspections, and rework.
Is a Service Upgrade Worth It?
If you're adding an EV charger, a heat pump, central air, or an addition, a service upgrade isn't optional — it's the foundation that makes those projects safe and code-compliant. Even without an immediate need, upgrading aging 60 or 100-amp service to 200 amps is a sound move: it removes a buyer objection at resale, can reduce insurance friction, and spares you from doing the job twice. The cost is real, but it's a one-time investment in a system that should last 25 to 40 years.
Service Upgrade vs. Adding a Subpanel
If your main concern is "I don't have enough breaker slots," you may not need a full service upgrade at all. Adding a subpanel — a smaller secondary box fed from the main panel — gives you more circuit space for $500 to $1,500. The catch is that a subpanel doesn't add capacity; it just distributes the capacity you already have. If your real problem is total amperage — your 100-amp service can't safely run everything — then a subpanel won't solve it, and a service upgrade is the right move. A load calculation tells you which situation you're in. The rule of thumb: a subpanel fixes a slot shortage, a service upgrade fixes a capacity shortage.
Common Triggers for a Service Upgrade
Adding EV Charging
This is the single most common reason homeowners upgrade service in 2026. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 40 to 50-amp circuit, and many older homes simply don't have safe room for it.
Electrifying Heating and Cooking
Heat pumps, electric furnaces, and induction ranges all add substantial electrical load. A home moving off gas often needs more service to support the change.
Building an Addition or ADU
New living space — especially with a kitchen or bathroom — adds circuits and load. An accessory dwelling unit almost always needs at least its own subpanel, and frequently a main service upgrade behind it.
Replacing Aging or Hazardous Service
A 60-amp service, a fuse-based service, or a corroded meter base is a candidate for upgrade on its own merits, independent of any new project.
Budgeting and What to Expect
The most reliable way to budget for a service upgrade is to get three written quotes with clearly defined scopes, then plan around the middle of that range with a 10 to 20 percent contingency for surprises found once the work begins. Older homes in particular tend to reveal grounding, mast, or wiring issues that weren't visible from the outside. Build that cushion into your budget and the project is far less stressful. Remember too that a service upgrade is a long-lived investment — a properly installed 200-amp service should serve the home for 25 to 40 years, so spread mentally over that horizon, the cost is modest.
Related Electrical Cost Guides
A service upgrade ties into several related projects:
- Electrical panel upgrade cost — detailed 100-to-200-amp upgrade pricing.
- Breaker box replacement cost — signs, prices, and the process.
- EV charger installation cost — the most common reason for a service upgrade.
- Whole-house generator cost — a frequent companion project.
You can also see current pricing on our electrical panel cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does an electrical service upgrade cost in 2026?
An electrical service upgrade costs $1,800 to $6,000 for most homeowners in 2026, with a typical 200-amp upgrade around $2,500 to $4,000. A panel-only swap sits at the low end, while a full upgrade with a new mast, meter base, and utility coordination — or a jump to 400 amps — runs toward the top and beyond.
Q. What's the difference between a panel upgrade and a service upgrade?
A panel upgrade swaps the breaker box inside your home. A service upgrade can also include the components that connect your home to the grid — the service entrance cable, mast, meter base, and grounding. When the utility's side is involved, the scope and cost both grow.
Q. Does the utility company charge for a service upgrade?
It varies. Many utilities disconnect and reconnect power for free; some charge a $100 to $500 coordination fee. The service drop wires are usually the utility's responsibility and often upgraded at no cost, while the meter base and mast are typically the homeowner's. A large jump to 400 amps can occasionally require utility transformer work.
Q. How long does an electrical service upgrade take?
The installation itself takes a licensed electrician 4 to 10 hours, with power off for most of that time. Including the permit and the municipal inspection afterward, the full project usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, longer in markets with busy inspection schedules.
Q. Do I need a service upgrade to install an EV charger?
Often, yes. A Level 2 EV charger needs a dedicated 40 to 50-amp circuit, and many homes with 60 or 100-amp service don't have safe capacity for it. An electrician's load calculation will confirm whether you need an upgrade. A 200-amp service comfortably supports EV charging plus typical household loads.