any idea what it cost to replace an entire electrical panel taht is 45 years old on the outside wall of the house. It needs complete new panel installed for a 1800 sq foot house.
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replacing an entire electrical panel
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Last: 19 days ago by FatZilla
Minimum $1K-2K if there's nothing else that needs to be done.
$2000-2500
Just replaced mine in Houston. It was $2700
Where located?
Thank you all, its located in college station
Sounds like a diy project. Breaker panels are actually very easy.
If you are referring to the incoming main line panel then you would need the utility company to shut the power off or play a little game of russian roulette. With that said, if you have a full understanding of what is energized and where power is coming from, specifically testing the lines to ensure your beliefs are accurate this is not hard to complete yourself if you are comfortable around electrical equipment. The utility company may give you hell if you are trying to replace the panel without being a qualified electrician though so heads up on that.In either scenario, the utility company is the one that turns the power off, not the electrician, you are just paying for his know how and license.
I would expect to spend $1k-2.5K for a electrician to come out, if you did it yourself, as long as you did not need additional cable then its only the cost of the box it self which runs maybe $50-$200.
Ive replaced plenty of sub panels, I dont have it in me to risk replacing a main line panel.
I would expect to spend $1k-2.5K for a electrician to come out, if you did it yourself, as long as you did not need additional cable then its only the cost of the box it self which runs maybe $50-$200.
Ive replaced plenty of sub panels, I dont have it in me to risk replacing a main line panel.
yep main panel.
warrington said:
yep main panel.
I've replaced these and they aren't overly difficult. But, I'm vey comfortable around high voltage and I understand electricity. I'm a DIY guy. HOWEVER, if I wasn't totally comfortable with it, I'd farm it out. It would likely take me all day and for $2,000 it wouldn't be unreasonable to me. There are a lot of things i can do in a day that make my time More valuable than that and it would be signed off on by someone that hoops fully knows what they are doing.
My suggestion when you have it replaced is to have a main breaker installed in a small separate panel upstream from the load center. This will give you a lot more comfort for DIYing things in the future without having to work in a hot box.
warrington said:
Thank you all, its located in college station
We used Elite Electric to replace the panel on our 1960's CS rent house and they did a great job. It was long enough ago that our price is not relevant.
Just so I state this "out loud"...
If you decide to tackle this yourself, that is with the assertion that you MUST call the power company and have the main power shut off and use a voltage tester to ensure ALL power is shut off before installing the new panel.
No way I'm replacing everything in a hot panel. I've replaced one or two breakers before, no problem if you know what you're doing, but I would not attempt anything like replacing the panel with a hot 240 coming in.
Public Service announcement to anyone who doesn't know: IF YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER IN YOUR BREAKER BOX, THE LEADS COMING IN ARE STILL HOT!!! Just not the bus bar after the main breaker.
Be safe everyone!
If you decide to tackle this yourself, that is with the assertion that you MUST call the power company and have the main power shut off and use a voltage tester to ensure ALL power is shut off before installing the new panel.
No way I'm replacing everything in a hot panel. I've replaced one or two breakers before, no problem if you know what you're doing, but I would not attempt anything like replacing the panel with a hot 240 coming in.
Public Service announcement to anyone who doesn't know: IF YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER IN YOUR BREAKER BOX, THE LEADS COMING IN ARE STILL HOT!!! Just not the bus bar after the main breaker.
Be safe everyone!
jeremy said:
Just so I state this "out loud"...
If you decide to tackle this yourself, that is with the assertion that you MUST call the power company and have the main power shut off and use a voltage tester to ensure ALL power is shut off before installing the new panel.
No way I'm replacing everything in a hot panel. I've replaced one or two breakers before, no problem if you know what you're doing, but I would not attempt anything like replacing the panel with a hot 240 coming in.
Public Service announcement to anyone who doesn't know: IF YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER IN YOUR BREAKER BOX, THE LEADS COMING IN ARE STILL HOT!!! Just not the bus bar after the main breaker.
Be safe everyone!
This bears repeating.
IF YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER IN YOUR BREAKER BOX, THE LEADS COMING IN ARE STILL HOT!!!
If you are already replacing a panel and the utility has to come out anyway, I would have a MAIN disconnect installed upstream. Someone already suggested this in the thread and its a great idea. My panels have a main disconnect at the pole. If I hit that 200A breaker, ALL of my electric panels in/on my home and shops are dead and I can work with them to my hearts content without hassling the electric company. My provider will charge me to turn it off and I think there is some other BS involved.
jeremy said:
Just so I state this "out loud"...
If you decide to tackle this yourself, that is with the assertion that you MUST call the power company and have the main power shut off and use a voltage tester to ensure ALL power is shut off before installing the new panel.
No way I'm replacing everything in a hot panel. I've replaced one or two breakers before, no problem if you know what you're doing, but I would not attempt anything like replacing the panel with a hot 240 coming in.
Public Service announcement to anyone who doesn't know: IF YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER IN YOUR BREAKER BOX, THE LEADS COMING IN ARE STILL HOT!!! Just not the bus bar after the main breaker.
Be safe everyone!
If you call the power company to pull the meter and shut off power, they will not turn power back on without a signed permit. The city will not issue a permit like this to a homeowner. Hence, you either replace the panel live (remove leads from main breaker and tape them off while you work), or you hire it out. Or you figure out a way to pull the meter yourself, but (1) many have locks on them and (2) the utility may come investigate if they have smart meters and see one all of a sudden go offline.
Make sure you don't buy your insulated drivers from Harbor Freight.
Just use rubber gloves and thick boots.
Option G would be the throw stuff at the transformer until the fuse blows. Then after you're done with your work you can call the utility to report an outage.
Option G would be the throw stuff at the transformer until the fuse blows. Then after you're done with your work you can call the utility to report an outage.
Dr. Venkman said:
Just use rubber gloves and thick boots.
Option G would be the throw stuff at the transformer until the fuse blows. Then after you're done with your work you can call the utility to report an outage.
Aggies gettin' is done!
Dr. Venkman said:
Just use rubber gloves and thick boots.
Option G would be the throw stuff at the transformer until the fuse blows. Then after you're done with your work you can call the utility to report an outage.
My luck is someone else would report it before I finish and the power company energizes the line while I'm neck deep it the breaker box!
Replacing the actual breakers is to the most expensive part outside of labor when upgrading to a modern panel from a dinosaur. I would buy all the parts beforehand and just pay for installation labor, you will save a bit on markup as there really is nothing you need a warranty from on the electrician.
If you dont plan on selling the home anytime soon, dont use gfci breakers wherever you can, stick to individual gfci plugs if you have too. Especially any circuit with a refrigerator or other major appliance you dont want electricity failing to without you knowing.
If you dont plan on selling the home anytime soon, dont use gfci breakers wherever you can, stick to individual gfci plugs if you have too. Especially any circuit with a refrigerator or other major appliance you dont want electricity failing to without you knowing.
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