How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
A panel upgrade is the job most electrification starts with — it's the capacity that lets you add an EV charger, heat pump or solar safely. Here's what it really costs in our area, and what actually moves the number.
We're Astral — a licensed C-10 electrical contractor (CSLB #1114918). Honest ranges, permit included, your exact number from a free assessment.
Typical cost in our area
A standard 100A→200A service upgrade in our area — new panel, meter-main and disconnect, permitted and inspected — lands around $7,500–$9,500.
| What you're getting | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 100A → 200A service upgrade (new panel + meter-main) | $6,500 – $9,500 |
| 200A upgrade + underground / service relocation | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| 400A service / meter-main (large or all-electric home) | $9,000 – $18,000+ |
| Obsolete Zinsco / Federal Pacific replacementsafety-driven; usually the same scope as a full 200A service upgrade | $6,000 – $9,500 |
| Add a sub-panel | $1,200 – $3,000 |
These are typical ranges for our service area, not a quote. Every home is different — the real number comes from a free on-site assessment and a NEC load calculation by a licensed C-10. We never promise a price online we can't stand behind.
National lead-gen sites quote a flat $1,500–$4,000 for a panel upgrade — that's a US average that ignores our reality. In the Tri-Valley and Central Valley, PG&E service coordination, local permit fees and code corrections push a real, permitted 200A upgrade higher. We'd rather show you the honest range than bait you with a number no licensed electrician can hit here.
What moves the price
What a done-right price includes
The cheapest number online usually leaves this out. Ours doesn't.
- A real NEC Article 220 load calculation (not a guess)
- Permit pulled with your city + PG&E coordination
- Modern 200A panel, grounding/bonding brought to current code
- Inspection passed — protecting your home and resale value
- 1-year workmanship warranty from a licensed C-10 (#1114918)
Plus your home's Electrical Score — it comes with your installation.
A licensed C-10 grades your panel, service and wiring 0–100 and registers it in our system with a shareable certificate — proof of a safe, to-code home for buyers, insurers and your own records. Your Score is created with your project; you can also get it on its own if you just want to know where you stand before you buy.
See the Electrical Score →Certified installer & trusted partners
Questions, answered straight
Why is it more than the $1,500–$4,000 I saw online?+
Those are national averages from lead-gen sites, and they usually assume a simple swap with no permit or PG&E coordination. A permitted 200A upgrade in our area, done to code by a licensed C-10, reflects local labor, permit fees, and utility coordination — we show the real range instead.
Do I even need 200A?+
Maybe not. We run a NEC load calculation first — if your current service actually handles your plans, we'll tell you. If you're adding an EV charger, heat pump or solar, 200A is usually the safe, once-and-done move.
Is the permit included?+
Yes — always. Every panel upgrade is permitted with your city and coordinated with PG&E, then inspected. Over-permitting is never a problem; skipping it is the liability.
Get your exact number — free.
A licensed C-10 comes out, runs the load calc, and gives you a clear, upfront price for your home. No obligation.
More cost guides
EV charger installation cost
home EV charger installs in our area land around $1,500–$3,0…
Tesla Powerwall cost installed
single Powerwall 3, installed to code with the gateway and n…
whole-house rewiring cost
whole-house rewires in our area land between $18,000 and $35…
standby generator cost installed
whole-home Generac standby installs in our area land around …
electrical repair cost
common repairs in our area run $150–$500 once diagnosed…
hot tub / spa wiring cost
hot tub / spa installs in our area land around $1,200–$2,500…
whole-home surge protection cost
whole-home SPD installed on its own in our area typically ru…