How much does electrical panel replacement cost?
Electrical panel replacement cost in 2026 runs roughly $1,300–$3,000, according to industry cost data from sources like HomeGuide and Angi, with a standard 200-amp upgrade typically in that range and a full service upgrade (new meter, mast, or grounding) running higher. It's a job worth doing right, because the panel is the heart of your home's electrical safety. In Florida, two things often drive a replacement: older or recalled panels that insurers flag, and the need for more capacity to handle central AC, EV chargers, and modern loads.
Key takeaways
- Panel replacement runs about $1,300–$3,000; a 200-amp upgrade is typically in that range.
- Replace outdated or recalled panels, frequent trippers, or panels that can't handle modern loads.
- Insurers flag certain older/recalled panels during a 4-point inspection.
- Panel work requires a permit and a licensed electrical contractor in Florida.
- A 200-amp upgrade adds capacity for AC, EV chargers, and future needs.
Table of contents
- What replacement costs
- When to replace your panel
- Older and recalled panels
- Upgrading to 200 amps
- Permits and licensing
- Where to start
- FAQ
What replacement costs
Panel replacement is priced by the scope — a like-for-like swap, a capacity upgrade, or a full service upgrade. Here's the 2026 picture from HomeGuide's electrical panel cost data:
| Scope | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel swap (same amperage) | ~$1,000–$2,000 | Replace aging/recalled panel |
| Upgrade to 200 amps | ~$1,800–$3,000 | More capacity for modern loads |
| Full service upgrade | ~$2,500–$4,500+ | New meter, mast, grounding |
| Sub-panel addition | ~$500–$1,500 | Added circuits for a specific area |
A worked example: replacing an aging 150-amp panel in an Orlando home with a new 200-amp panel lands in the low-to-mid thousands, while a full service upgrade that also replaces the meter and grounding runs higher. Get the quote to specify amperage and exactly what's included (panel, breakers, permit, any meter/grounding work).
When to replace your panel
A few situations call for panel replacement:
- The panel is an outdated or recalled brand with known safety issues
- Breakers trip frequently, or you rely on extension cords because circuits are maxed
- You're adding major loads — central AC, an EV charger, a home addition
- An insurer or 4-point inspection flags the panel
- Signs of trouble: burning smell, scorch marks, warm panel, buzzing, or rust/corrosion inside
Any safety sign — burning smell, scorching, a hot panel — warrants prompt attention from a licensed electrician, not a wait-and-see. The panel is the one electrical component where problems can mean fire, so erring toward replacement when it's outdated or showing distress is the right instinct.
Older and recalled panels
This is a big driver of replacements in older Florida homes. Certain older and recalled panel brands are documented fire hazards — their breakers can fail to trip properly — and they're widely recommended for proactive replacement. Beyond safety, this has an insurance dimension: insurers often flag or decline these panels during a 4-point inspection, so replacing one can be a condition of getting or keeping coverage on an older home.
So if you own an older Central Florida home, having an electrician identify your panel brand is worthwhile — and if it's a known-problem panel, replacing it addresses both the fire risk and a likely insurance hurdle at once. A licensed electrician can tell you whether yours is a concern. The Electrical Safety Foundation is a neutral reference on electrical safety hazards.
Upgrading to 200 amps
Many older homes have 100-amp (or smaller) service, which was fine decades ago but strains under modern demands. If you have central AC, are adding an EV charger, or planning an addition, a 200-amp service upgrade is often the right move — it provides the capacity today's homes need and headroom for future loads.
Whether you need it depends on your current service size and your electrical demands; an electrician can run the load math. The upgrade costs more than a like-for-like swap (it may involve the meter and service entrance), but it solves capacity problems for the long term rather than leaving you maxed out. In a hot-climate home where the AC is a major continuous load, adequate panel capacity matters.
Permits and licensing
Panel replacement is not a DIY job and is tightly regulated. In Florida it requires a permit and inspection, and must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor who pulls the permit under their own license — the inspection confirms the work meets code. The familiar red flag applies: if an electrician asks you to pull the permit, be cautious.
Verify the contractor on the DBPR portal (a certified electrical contractor's number starts with EC), the same habit covered in our verifying a contractor's license guide. Working on a live electrical panel is dangerous and a fire risk if done wrong, so the licensing and permit aren't bureaucracy — they're what keep the work safe and protect you at resale and on insurance.
Where to start
Start by having an electrician identify your panel's brand and amperage — that tells you whether you're facing a safety/insurance replacement or a capacity upgrade. Our electrical directory and Orlando city page list licensed local companies, with more across the full directory. Verify the license, confirm the permit, get amperage and scope in writing, and replace any recalled or distressed panel promptly — it's both a safety and an insurance issue in Florida.
FAQ
How much does electrical panel replacement cost in 2026? Industry cost data puts panel replacement around $1,300–$3,000, with a standard 200-amp upgrade often in that range. A full service upgrade with a new meter, mast, or grounding can run higher.
When should I replace my electrical panel? When it's an outdated or recalled brand, when it's frequently tripping or can't handle modern loads, when you're adding major loads (AC, EV charger, addition), or when an insurer or inspection flags it. Safety concerns warrant prompt replacement.
Why do insurers flag older electrical panels? Certain older and recalled panel brands are known fire hazards, so insurers often flag or decline them during a 4-point inspection. Replacing an unsafe panel can be required for coverage on an older Florida home.
Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Florida? Yes. Panel replacement requires a permit and inspection, and must be done by a licensed electrical contractor pulling the permit under their license. Being asked to pull your own permit is a red flag.
Should I upgrade to 200 amps? Often yes if you have an older 100-amp (or smaller) panel and modern electrical demands — central AC, an EV charger, or an addition. A 200-amp service handles today's loads and adds capacity for future needs.