Are you wondering how much the cost to upgrade to 200 amp panel is? Since we do them weekly let us tell you what we charge.
The cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amp is between $3,500 and $7,000 cad. This includes all required updating in the home to meet min code requirements. This also includes all parts and labor. The cost also includes any related utility truck and permit charges.
Read on and we will advise you on all the pros and cons of the process.
1.Cost To Upgrade To 200 Amp Panel
So the general cost in Canadian to replace a 200 amp panel from fuse to breakers is only around $1800.
However if you’re getting into upgrading the panel to 200 amp from another amperage then the cost can be anywhere between $3,500 and $7,000.
This is due to the fact that there are a number of upgrades that need to be done to bring the home up to code.
The code upgrades are required in order to upsize the amperage in the home.
For example if you were going from 100 to 200 amp then upgrades will be required.
The inspection authority checks for these code upgrades throughout the house before they will permit you to upgrade the electrical panel and service to 200 amp.
2.Cost To Upgrade To 200 Amp Panel With Service
The price noted above stands true for a basic overhead 200 amp electrical service with panel.
This usually includes all of the associated code upgrades throughout the home.
These code upgrades include things like wired in smoke detectors.
A fridge circuit. A sufficient amounts of counter plugs on the countertop.
Outside outlets with in use covers. Three ways on your staircase and the list goes on.
Again this will be checked for issues by your inspection authority before they will agree to let the upgrade and service or panel be done.
The process of having this all done is usually included in the price.
The worst case scenario would be around $7000 cad.
This is assuming that we have to do all these internal upgrades to bring the home up to code and meet the requirements to update the electrical service.
This also requires to be done for any change in the amperage for example 60 to 100amp or 60 to 200 amp.
In addition to that the inspection authority and local power utility will need to upgrade the incoming power lines to the house to allow for the extra amperage.
3.Cost To Upgrade To 200 Amp Panel Underground Power
The cost for doing the same upgrade only with underground power or a little bit different.
You can still count on the $7000 on the high side to do the upgrading of your home.
However to take an underground service from the meter on the house to the pole can be more costly. This is generally measured by feet.
As an example if you have a 100 foot underground service and you’re requiring it to be upgraded to 200 amp. The cable alone will cost around $1200.
In addition to that you will want to pipe run for communications for phone and cable which is another 500 or 600 dollars.
On top of that you need to add labor and associated trenching fees.
So as you can see the cost for underground service additionally can be an extra few thousand dollars very quickly.
Be careful and get an exact quote from your electrical contractor on this so that you know what you’re in for.
4.How Long Does It Take To Upgrade?
Don’t expect the upgrade to go quickly.
From the time you say go to your electrical contractor to the time the job is finished and finally inspected. You can count on three weeks to a month.
This is due to the amount of time of actually booking the inspection authority and their local power utility to upgrade the lines.
This portion itself usually takes a couple of weeks to get sorted out.
After that you can expect the electricians to come in and spend a few days doing the code upgrades first within the home.
They usually leave the service entrance and electrical panel change out for the last day.
This is the day that you will most likely not have any power. The electricians will have the power shut off and disconnected so they can update the new service to 200 A.
After that the inspection authority will come in and do a thorough inspection of the property and all the electrical equipment.
Last but not least the utility service will follow and hook the power back up.
5.Should I Upgrade My Panel To 200 Amp?
Upgrading your panel to 200 amp with a new style breaker panel is always a good idea.
This is a good idea for several reasons.
200 amp panels now come in 60 circuit right up to 120 circuit capacity.
Most newer homes require many more circuits for electrical.
This will enable you to add more circuits to the panel without having any problem with space issues.
Newer style electrical panels are also much safer as they have much better trip ratings on the panel.
Most newer style homes that are built automatically get 200 amp services.
This seems to be the industry standard.
Worth a mention to be careful if you were upgrading your heating system.
A lot of times newer larger central heat pumps although require a very small amperage to run the heat pump itself but a very large electrical back up.
Although that electrical back up only make them on once in a while you still need to allow for the sizing of that in your service calculation.
This will take your regular 100 amp service up to 200amps.
6.The Benefits Of Upgrading To 200 Amp Service
The benefits of upgrading your electrical service and panel to 200 amp out weighs the disadvantages.
Just having the new 200 amp upgrade will increase resale value to the home. It also adds safety to the home.
Not to mention the added extra space for additions like a hot tub or a garage or anything else you would like to add in the future.
It also helps with newer style heating systems requiring more back up heat or more amperage to run newer style heat pumps.
This will most likely also get you a reduction on your insurance policy.
As mentioned above the safety of the new panels are much better. The trip ratings on the panels are much better.
They are much more user-friendly.
It is also a good idea to have these additional upgrades throughout the home done as mentioned above with what is required.
These additional upgrades for at the home will also add resale value.
One of the biggest complaints we get is not enough counter plugs. On the countertop as most appliances exceed what older counter plugs can produce for power.
7.Will It Increase Resale Value?
Hands-down any electrical work that you have done your property will increase your resale value.
We find from experience that every dollar you put in to your electrical is actually the same dollar value you will get out of your home.
As an example if you do $10,000 worth of electrical work then you can add $10,000 to the sale of your home.
Electrical work at home is one of those scary important trades.
It is almost the same and equally as important as having a roof that does not leak.
So don’t hesitate to spend the money on your electrical to your electrical contractor to have the work done.
Just make sure you’re getting fair value and you get a few different quotes to compare the prices.
In the end you will not regret your decision by having the electrical work done.
Especially if you were doing it to increase equity in your home.
8.Can I Upgrade To 200 Amp Myself?
No obviously you cannot do electrical work by yourself and have any sort of inspection authority or power utility pass the work.
At least not in North America that we are aware of.
There needs to be some sort of consistency and training.
Which is why certified electricians go to school for several years. Having said that you can approach your local electrician to ask if you can help with the project redo some labor.
Some electricians will and some electricians won’t.
At the very best electrician may let you help run some wires. Particularly the hard ones to reduce and labor costs.
The electrician was specifically want to check and go through everything that you do when they are present.
In the end they will be putting their license number on the line for you.
So they will want to make sure the work is done correctly.
Don’t think for one minute that you can do all the wiring yourself and then have an electrician come in and put his name on it.
There are all kinds of liability issues there for the electrician and no electrician that we are aware of will do that.
Ask the electrician upfront when they do are doing the initial pricing to see if they are interested in doing it this way.
Sometimes electricians don’t want to do the hard work.
So they will let you run some of the wires to help them out. Remember they will guide you through this process.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the products that we recommend then you can check out more what we recommend on our products page here.
9.What are the benefits of upgrading to 200 amp service?
Upgrade to 200 amp service and enjoy the many benefits it offers.
The following are just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy:
– You’ll experience quicker response time with your electrical power.
– There is no need to shut down the entire home in order to upgrade the panel.
– You will not have to worry about any safety hazards during an electrical upgrade, as it meets all code requirements.
– The cost of upgrading does not include any labor or permit charges for the installation process.
10.How many amps can a 200 amp panel handle?
A 200 amp panel can handle a maximum of 6,000 watts.
The cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amp is between $3,500 and $7,000 cad. This includes all required updating in the home to meet min code requirements. The cost also includes any related utility truck and permit charges. How many amps can a 200 amp panel handle? A 200 amp panel can handle a maximum of 6,000 watts.
11.Does homeowners insurance cover electrical panel replacement?
Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of electrical panel replacement. However, it may not cover the entire cost. The policy owner should contact their insurance company to be sure if they’re covered for this service.
If you’re considering doing a home update or home improvement that is subject to a permit, you may want to compare the potential costs with your homeowner’s policy before proceeding.
12.How often should you replace your electrical panel?
Every ten years. When the time comes for you to replace your electrical panel, it’s important to make sure this upgrade is done properly. This includes making sure that the new panel won’t overheat and cause a fire in your home. It’s also important to make sure the wiring is up-to-date so that wires don’t short out on each other and cause an electrocution hazard.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you should replace your electrical panel, contact a licensed electrician who can tell you if it’s time for an upgrade.
