For a straight panel swap in the Portland area, the ballpark we give homeowners over the phone is roughly $3,000 to $4,000, and more complex jobs like service upgrades can be in the $5,500 range. This guide covers what changes the price, how to tell whether you need a new panel at all, and what to do if your panel is showing warning signs.
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
For a panel swap where the service coming into your house is already big enough, the ballpark we usually give is roughly $3,000 to $4,000.
That is a phone estimate, not a quote. Nobody can price a panel without seeing it. We give you a written estimate before any work begins, and the real number depends on what we find when we look at your panel.
What is the difference between a panel replacement and a service upgrade?
A panel replacement swaps the box inside your house. A service upgrade also increases the capacity of the power coming in from the utility.
If your service is already 200 amps, you are usually looking at a panel change. If you only have 100 amps coming in and you want 200, the whole service has to be upgraded. That is a bigger project, and more complex jobs like service upgrades can be in the $5,500 range, depending on the setup.
What changes the price of a panel upgrade?
Every house is different, but these are the things that move the number most:
- The size of the panel and how many breakers it needs
- The number and condition of the circuits already in the house
- Grounding and bonding for the new panel
- Whether the service equipment, like the meter base, also needs work
- Local permit requirements
When you compare quotes, ask each company what is included, including grounding and bonding, the permit, and the inspection. That way you are comparing like for like.
How do I know if I need a new panel?
These are the warning signs we hear about most on the phone:
- Lights blink or dim, and other things in the house act differently than they used to
- You have run out of room for new breakers
- The house is older and the panel is original to it
- A home inspection says the panel is not grounded
- You want to add an EV charger, an AC unit, or a hot tub and need more capacity
None of these means you definitely need a new panel. They mean it is time to have someone look at it.
Does a panel problem always mean a new panel?
No. A homeowner with a 1970s house called because one breaker kept shutting off power to an office and half the kitchen. We offered two options: come out and fix the breaker, which takes about an hour to an hour and a half, or give a free estimate on a full panel upgrade. They chose the breaker repair. A repair that solves the problem beats a replacement you do not need yet. If you want to understand why breakers trip first, read our guide on why a circuit breaker keeps tripping.
Inspections can point the same way. On an inspection follow-up for an older home, our electrician found a panel rated up to 200 amps, even though the house did not have a 200-amp service. That did not mean the wires from the utility had to be changed. One problem inside the panel was an overfilled neutral bar, and he said it could be fixed by adding another bar and moving connections around.
If an inspection flags your panel, ask for the specific problem and the smallest fix that solves it.
How long does a panel upgrade take?
A typical panel replacement takes about 4 to 8 hours. We handle the permits and coordinate the final inspection with the city or county, and we plan the work to keep the power outage as short as we can. A service upgrade involves more, and we can tell you more about the timeline once we see the job.
When is a panel an emergency?
Call an electrician right away if you notice any of these:
- A burning smell near the panel
- Heat coming from the panel, a breaker, or an outlet
- Scorch marks or discoloration
- Sparks, crackling, or popping sounds
- Water near the panel
If one outlet or circuit is the problem, switch off that breaker and call. If the panel itself is hot, scorched, wet, or sparking, do not touch it. Stay clear and call. If there is smoke or fire, leave the house and call 911 first.
Never remove the inner cover of the panel or touch the wiring inside. That is a job for a licensed electrician.
What can I do before I call?
You do not need to diagnose anything. A few notes help us give you a better estimate:
- Write down which rooms or circuits are affected
- Note how old the house is, and whether you know if the panel has ever been replaced
- Take a photo of the outside of the panel and the label on the door
- Keep a copy of any inspection report that mentions the panel
A panel upgrade is a real investment, and it is fair to get a couple of quotes. We would rather you understand the work than rush into it.
Save $300 on your panel upgrade. Call Coy Electric at (971) 306-8484 or request service at https://coyelectric.com/contact.
Oregon CCB #9388
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Published October 8, 2026