A panel upgrade is priced by the work it takes to bring a new service into the house. The panel itself is only a part of that work. This walk-through covers the drivers that move the price up or down, and the questions that show you what sits inside the scope.

Service size and the new panel

The rating of the new service sets the conductors, the meter base, and the panel. A larger service needs more of each. Ask the installer what rating they plan and why. Ask what the current rating is, and whether the house load was calculated before the quote was written.

Utility work

The utility may need to disconnect and reconnect service, replace the meter base, or change the service drop. Some of this work is done by the utility and some by the electrician. Ask who schedules each step, and whether any utility visit is included in the scope.

Permits and inspection

Most panel work needs a permit in a given area, and the job needs an inspection before it is closed. The permit cost and the inspection timing belong in the scope. Ask whether the electrician pulls the permit, and whether the inspection is included.

Circuits, grounding, and access

Moving or adding circuits adds labor. Old grounding and bonding can need correction. The route from the panel to the new location matters too. A panel that sits behind a finished wall, in a tight crawl space, or at the far end of a long wire run takes more time than the same panel in an open garage. Ask how each access point is handled, including what happens to the drywall or trim.

Old wiring

Some existing wire is reused and some is replaced. Ask which runs will be reused, how the installer tests them, and what happens if a run fails the test.

Timing

A scheduled job gives you room to compare the scope from more than one electrician. An urgent job leaves less room. Ask for the scope in writing before you agree to a start date.

What to ask

Ask for an itemized scope. Ask which permits and inspections are included, what is excluded, which panel model is proposed, and how the work is scheduled. Compare the scope lines across offers, and do not compare a plan by its brand name. Keep the signed scope with your records.

Plan against age

Note the install year of the panel and the age of the house's wiring. For typical service life and planning notes, see the electrical panel page.