Main panel upgrade.....

Just thought I would toss out a silly question...
Probable need to upgrade my main electrical panel from 100 to 200 amp..
Anyone know a ballpark of what this can cost to have done??

Just curious if now is the time to get estimates or not...
Don't wanna waste an electricians time if it is gonna be super expensive

Thanks
Curtis

 

Probably $1000 to $2000. Could be outside that range, on either end, depending on a number of factors.

 

You will need to do a complete service change (replace the electrical service and panel). I charge between $1,200 and $1,500 depending on whats involved.


Fred

 

When I needed a bigger box (same ampacity, more physical spaces for breakers), I was quoted $700 by an electrician.

Ouch!

My next call was to the local electrical inspector to ask if I could do the work myself. In a nutshell, he said that as long as I:

1) own the home
2) live in the home
3) convince him I know what I'm doing

he'd give me a permit to do the work myself.

I made a morning meeting with the inspector, explained what I wanted to do and why, we talked about what he wanted to see during the inspection, and I got my permit.

Total cost was under $250 for parts.

The inspector gave me some pointers on what he wanted to see during the inspection and answered my questions. At the inspection, he said, "you're the only one! I've done 4 inspections today, and your'e the only one who put that busing there to ground. I had to fail the other inspections." I knew to put that bushing in because I asked what he'd want to see during the inspection.

The inspector is your friend! Be nice and polite to him/her, be humble, and you can do it yourself!

(Now, the actual ampacity upgrade in your case will require working with the poco, but still, don't think this is out of your ballpark. It's dirty, messy, sweaty work, but it's NOT particularly difficult or above your ability. If you can turn a screwdriver, you can replace your breaker box!)