No two panel upgrades cost the same, because no two homes are wired the same. The price depends on the service size, whether the meter base and service wires must change, the panel location, the condition of the wiring, permits and add-ons. Solana Electrical gives you the price before any work begins.
Why we do not post one price
You will find many numbers online for panel upgrades. Most of them are averages from other parts of the country, and they rarely match a specific home. A price that does not fit your home is not much help.
What we can do is explain what moves the price up or down, so you know what to expect and what to ask. Then, when you call, we tell you the cost of the visit before anyone drives out, and the price for the work before it begins.
The main factors
These are the things that matter most.
Replacement or upgrade: keeping the same service size usually involves less work than raising it
Service size: a larger service needs a larger panel, main breaker and wires
Meter base: an old or undersized meter base may need to be replaced with the panel
Service entrance wires: a larger service often needs larger wires from the meter to the panel
Number of circuits: more circuits mean more breakers and more connections to move
Panel location: a panel in a tight closet or a finished wall takes more care than one on an outside wall
What the electrician finds when they open it up
Some costs only show up once the old panel comes out. Older homes can have wiring that has been changed many times over the years.
Damaged, scorched or brittle wires that need repair
Aluminum branch wiring that needs special connectors
Grounding or bonding that does not meet current code
Circuits that need AFCI or GFCI protection under current code
Earlier work that was not done to code
Permits, inspection and the utility
A panel replacement or service upgrade requires a permit and an inspection. The permit fee is set by the city or county, not by the electrician. If the service size changes, the utility must disconnect and reconnect power, which adds coordination to the job.
We pull the permit, schedule the inspection and coordinate with the utility. That work is part of the price we give you.
Optional add-ons
Some homeowners choose to add related work while the panel is being changed, because the power is already off and the panel is open.
A whole-home surge protector at the panel
A dedicated circuit for an EV charger, a spa or a golf cart charger
An inlet or transfer switch for a portable generator
New circuits for a kitchen, garage or workshop
Things that do not change the price for the panel
The brand of your old panel by itself does not set the price. A Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel is replaced with the same care as any other. What matters is the work your home needs.
We do not add a sales visit or push extras you did not ask about. If a simpler repair will solve the problem, we will tell you.
How to compare quotes fairly
If you talk to more than one electrician, make sure you are comparing the same job. Two quotes can look far apart simply because they cover different work.
Is it a replacement at the same size or an upgrade to a larger service?
Does the quote include the meter base and service wires if needed?
Does it include the permit and inspection?
Does it include grounding and bonding updates?
Which breakers are included, and are AFCI or GFCI breakers part of it?
What warranty covers the labor and material, and for how long?
Timing and cost
Planned work scheduled during regular hours costs less than the same work done on a night or weekend. If your panel is not showing warning signs such as heat, burning smells or buzzing, it usually makes sense to schedule it during the week. If it is showing those signs, we will tell you honestly that it should not wait.
Why cheaper is not always less money
A low price that leaves out the meter base, the permit or needed grounding work can grow once the job starts. A quote that lists what is included, and what could change it, is easier to trust. We would rather give you a clear price up front than a low number that changes later.
Getting a real price
Call us at (602) 999-2770 and a real person answers. Tell us your panel brand, the number on the main breaker, and what you want to add. You will hear the cost of the visit before anyone drives out. The trip and diagnostic fee depends on distance, and nights and weekends cost more.
After the visit, you get the price for the work before it begins. All of our labor and material carry a two-year warranty, and we are licensed under AZ ROC #341966.
Common questions
Why can’t you give me a price over the phone?
We can tell you what the visit costs before we come out. The price for the panel work depends on what the electrician finds, so we give it after looking, and always before work begins.
Does the visit fee go toward the repair?
No. The trip and diagnostic fee covers the trip and the diagnosis. It is separate from the price of the work, and we tell you what it is before dispatch.
Is it cheaper to replace only the breakers?
For a sound panel, replacing a breaker can be the right fix. For panels with known problems, replacing the whole panel is usually the better use of your money.
