A 200-amp panel upgrade in the Dallas area typically costs about $2,000 to $3,500. The final price depends on what else has to change besides the panel, and a few things can push it well above that range. These are typical 2026 ranges, not a quote for your home.
What the price usually includes
A standard upgrade covers a new 200-amp panel and main breaker, new breakers for your circuits, a new meter socket, the permit and inspection, and the labor to move every circuit to the new panel. Ask every electrician for a written quote that lists each of these, so you can compare bids fairly.
What can raise the cost
- Service entrance work. If the mast, the wires from the utility or the meter socket also need replacing, the total climbs beyond the panel itself.
- Moving the panel. Relocating it means rerouting circuits, which adds labor.
- Underground power. Trenching for an underground feed costs more than an overhead one.
- Utility coordination. Your electric company has to disconnect and reconnect power, which can add time.
- Surprises in the old panel. Damaged wiring, unlabeled circuits or scorching can extend the job.
- Extra protection. Breakers with added protection, such as AFCI breakers, cost more than standard ones, and a new circuit for an EV charger adds to the materials.
Why homeowners upgrade to 200 amps
Many older Dallas-area homes still run on 100-amp service, which struggles with modern loads. The usual reasons for upgrading are an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub, a room addition, or a panel that is simply full. If you only need one new circuit, an electrician can often add it to your existing panel for far less, so ask before assuming you need the full upgrade.
How long it takes
Most upgrades take about four to eight hours, with the power off for part of the day. Service entrance work and utility coordination can stretch the job across two visits.
What happens on upgrade day
Knowing the sequence makes the day less stressful. A typical panel upgrade follows these steps, though the details vary with your home and your utility.
- Walkthrough. The electrician confirms the panel location, checks the meter and service entrance, and reviews the circuits you have today.
- Power shutdown. Power to the house is turned off. For service entrance work, the utility may need to disconnect power at the meter first.
- Removal. The old panel is taken out, and each circuit is labeled so it can be reconnected correctly.
- Installation. The new panel, main breaker and meter socket are mounted, grounded and wired, and the circuits are moved over one by one.
- Testing. Power is restored and every circuit is tested. The panel directory is labeled so you can tell what each breaker controls.
- Inspection. The city inspector checks the work against code, and the permit is closed once it passes.
Plan to be without power for part of the day. If anyone in your home relies on a medical device, or you keep a freezer full of food, tell the electrician in advance and arrange a backup before the work starts.
Why the permit and inspection matter
Panel work is permitted and inspected, and a legitimate quote includes those costs. A bid that leaves them out is a red flag. An unpermitted upgrade can cause trouble when you sell the home or file an insurance claim.
How to compare quotes
- Get two or three written quotes for the same scope of work.
- Check that each one includes the permit, inspection, meter socket and breakers.
- Confirm the electrician holds a Texas electrical contractor license, and ask for the number.
- Ask what happens if they find a problem once the old panel is open.
Panel upgrade cost by service size
The table shows typical 2026 ranges for the most common jobs. The 200-amp upgrade is the one most Dallas-area homeowners ask about.
| Job | Typical cost | What it usually involves |
| 100-amp panel swap | $1,200 to $2,000 | Replacing an old or damaged panel with a new one of the same size |
| 200-amp service upgrade | $2,000 to $3,500 | New panel, breakers and meter socket, and often the service entrance |
| 400-amp or complex upgrade | $4,000 to $8,000 or more | Large homes and workshops, utility coordination, a new mast, trenching |
How to tell if you need 200 amps
You may need an upgrade if any of these sound familiar:
- Breakers trip often when you run the oven, dryer or air conditioner at the same time.
- Lights dim when a large appliance starts.
- The panel has no open breaker slots, or it is crowded with extra circuits.
- The home still has fuses, or the main breaker is rated at only 60 amps.
- You plan to add an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub or a room addition.
- The panel is an old brand with a poor safety record, such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco.
An electrician can run a load calculation to show how much capacity your home uses today and how much you will need. Sometimes 150 amps is enough, and sometimes a subpanel solves the problem, so get the calculation before you choose a size.
Ways to save without cutting corners
- Bundle the work. If you are adding an EV charger or whole-home surge protection, doing it during the panel upgrade can save a second visit.
- Keep the panel where it is. Mounting the new panel in the same spot avoids rerouting circuits.
- Get the load calculation. Paying for the right size once is cheaper than upgrading twice.
- Book in milder months. Contractors in the Dallas area tend to have better availability outside the hottest and coldest weeks.
- Never skip the permit. The savings are small and the risks are large.
Questions homeowners ask
Will a bigger panel raise my electric bill? No. You pay for the electricity you use, not the size of your panel. A 200-amp panel simply lets you use more at once.
Do I need to be home? Someone should be there at the start to give access to the panel and meter. After that, the electrician needs little input from you.
Can I add an EV charger during the same visit? Often yes, as long as the new panel has capacity for it. Mention it when you request your quote so the load calculation includes it.
Does a 200-amp panel make my home safer? A new, listed panel with modern breakers replaces older equipment that may be worn or unsafe. The upgrade also gives your wiring room to handle new loads without overloading existing circuits.
Get a clear quote for your home
Kravolt Electric is a licensed electrical contractor (TECL #40613) serving Dallas, Mesquite, Garland and nearby neighborhoods. Every job starts with a clear written quote and a free estimate, and financing is available for larger projects. Call 214-222-0320 or request a free estimate. To see the warning signs that an old panel is due for replacement, read When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel.