March 08, 2016
So, you know you need to replace the electrical panel in your home. But now you’re wondering what it’ll cost.
Well, it depends on a variety of factors, but the price for an installed electrical panel in Florida is usually between $1,000-$6,000 and upward to $10,000-12,000 if a whole service needs to be updated.
Why such a large range? Well, the price will vary depending on a few things, including:
Let’s look at each of these individually.
Note: If you’re unfamiliar with the parts of your home electrical system, you may want to start with, Home Electricity 101: The Parts of Your Home Electrical System
In general, the larger the panel the more it will cost to purchase and install.
Your electrical panel’s size will be determined by these 2 factors:
How to find the right size panel: If you are simply replacing an outdated or dangerous panel and don’t need any additional electrical service, you’re probably okay with getting a new panel that’s the same size as your old one.
But if you want to add electrical appliances to your home (like another air conditioner or maybe a hot tub), your electrician should ask you some questions and perform an electrical demand load calculation to determine the size panel you need.
Rarely is replacing an electrical panel as simple as taking the old panel out and replacing it with a new one. We usually have to do additional work like wiring.
Additional wiring is needed in these common situations, each situation increasing the price of the new electrical panel installation.
Old homes didn’t have many circuits available. So, over time, as homeowners add outlets, lights and other electrical appliances, those circuits become overloaded, a dangerous situation that can lead to a home electrical fire.
How do you know if your circuits are overloaded? One sign is that your circuit breakers keep tripping.
A circuit breaker is a safety device that turns off electricity to your home if it senses a problem (like a short or ground fault). But if a home has dangerous or outdated wiring, even a good circuit breaker won’t be enough.
So, if we discover old wiring (like aluminum or knob and tube) in your house, we may need to rewire all or part of your home, as well.
Related: 4 Signs Your Florida Homes Needs to Be Rewired
Many people get bigger panels because they want to add additional circuits for an addition or renovation. This requires running the wiring for the new circuits, as well.
If you need to upgrade your home’s electrical service to 100-, 150-, or 200-amp, we’ll likely have to replace the wiring from the meter to your panel. (And your electrical company may need to run new wire from their main lines to your meter, also.)
The electrician you hire will affect the price you pay for the installation. Typically, a high-quality installer will charge more than a low-quality one.
Of course, the price can widely vary depending on how the installer charges. For example, if the installer charges per hour and runs into an issue, your final cost could run higher than normal. (This is why we use upfront, fixed pricing. So, there are no surprises for you.)
Remember: An electrical panel helps protect your family from an electrical home fire (that’s its job). If it’s installed incorrectly, your home and family won’t be protected. So, it’s extremely important to hire a licensed, insured, and experienced electrician.
If you live in Tampa Bay, SW Florida, or Central Florida, we can give you a price for installing your electrical panel. Just schedule a free in-home estimate.
The electricians at Energy Today serve numerous communities in Florida including Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Lakewood Ranch, Port Charlotte, Orlando, Naples, and more.