Panel upgrade · 200A → 320/400A
200A to 320/400A Service Upgrade Cost
Plan-level cost for the premium service upgrade. State labor multipliers, utility-side work, and when 400A is actually necessary vs. 200A + smart load management.
Quick answer: $5,000–$10,000 installed, roughly double a 100A→200A. Rarely necessary for residential — verify with an NEC 220.83 load calc before committing.
Estimated installed cost
$3,100
Typical range $1,850 – $5,925 · 100A → 200A panel upgrade
Low
$1,850
Best case
Mid
Typical$3,100
Typical
High
$5,925
Worst case
Itemized cost breakdown
Click a row for math & sources| Line item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| $700 | $1,100 | $1,700 | |
State labor multiplier applied (CA). | $1,093 | $1,562 | $2,187 |
| $150 | $300 | $600 | |
Reflects installation difficulty, home type, and timing. | $0 | $148 | $1,449 |
| Total | $1,850 | $3,100 | $5,925 |
- Is this a panel replacement, service upgrade, or subpanel install?
- Is utility coordination and disconnect/reconnect included?
- Is the meter and main being replaced?
- Is grounding and bonding work included to current code?
- Will this support future EV charging and heat pump loads?
- Are smart load management devices an alternative to a full upgrade?
- Is permit and inspection included, and how long is the typical wait?
- What is the warranty on labor and the panel itself?
- Will any drywall repair, paint, or fire patching be needed?
- How long will my power be off during the upgrade?
Next step: how to vet a contractor & compare bids
What can change this price
- Estimates are planning ranges, not contractor quotes. Actual prices depend on your home, local labor rates, equipment, code requirements, utility rules, and contractor availability.
Actual prices depend on your home, local labor rates, equipment selection, code requirements, utility rules, and contractor availability. Estimates are planning ranges, not contractor quotes.
- BLS OEWS — Electricians (47-2111)— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reviewed 2026-05-01
See the single most-likely cost and the realistic range it falls in — not just a low/high band.
- ~30%Service mast, weatherhead, or meter base also replaced+$500–$2,500
- ~25%Grounding & bonding brought to current NEC (ground rods, water bond)+$200–$1,200
- ~15%Knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring found (older home)+$1,500–$6,000
- PossibleUtility disconnect / reconnect scheduling and permit fees+$150–$800
Surprise odds are approximate planning estimates, not measured rates; cost ranges are sourced where shown. How this works.
Method: each cost line is drawn from a triangular distribution and correlated by a shared market factor (~0.5), then sampled across 10,000 outcomes (a Monte Carlo simulation); the most-likely value and range emerge from the simulation, not the band. A planning simulation, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to upgrade from 200A to 320/400A service?
A 200A→320A or 200A→400A upgrade typically runs $5,000–$10,000 installed, often double a 100A→200A upgrade. The work involves a higher-capacity meter base, a 320/400A main panel (often paired with a 200A subpanel), upgraded service-entrance conductors, and significant utility coordination — the utility may need to upgrade the transformer or service drop on its side.
When is 320/400A actually necessary?
Honest answer: rarely for residential. The cases where it makes sense are (1) multiple Level 2 EV chargers running simultaneously plus a heat pump plus an electric pool/spa, (2) a home with electric resistance backup heat plus full electrification, (3) a workshop or detached structure with substantial loads, or (4) building from scratch where the marginal cost is small. For most all-electric retrofits, a 200A panel + smart load management is the better answer.
Does a 320A service really mean 400A capacity?
Yes. "320A" service uses the industry-standard 320A continuous-rating meter base with two 200A main breakers, giving 400A total capacity. The 320A rating is the continuous-load number per NEC; the panel itself is sometimes labeled as 400A or as a "320/400A" combo. The terminology is confusing but they refer to the same hardware.
Are there federal incentives for a 320/400A service upgrade?
No. The federal 25C credit ended December 31, 2025 (OBBBA, signed July 4, 2025). Even when 25C applied, the panel cap was $600 — small relative to a $7,000+ service upgrade. State and utility programs vary; check /rebates/. IRS reference: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit