Here’s What You Can Expect to Pay for This Important Service
One of the most frequent questions we get from customers is “How much will it cost to replace a breaker box in my home?” These projects can vary greatly in terms of the necessary labour and services involved, and all of these factors can significantly impact the cost. Here at TCA Electric, we’re always looking to educate our readers about the various electrical services they may require. In today’s post, we’re taking a closer look at replacing your breaker box and the factors that go into the cost of this service.
Why is a breaker box important?
All your home’s electrical systems depend on your breaker box or electrical panel. This device takes the electricity delivered to your home and safely partitions into usable amounts that keep electrical devices operating in areas throughout your home.
A breaker box is your home’s first line of defense against dangerous electrical situations. This includes overloads that may lead to electrical fires or damage devices, as well as outages and other inconveniences. Because all systems depend on your electrical panel, it’s important to ensure your electrical panel is up to the task of handling the electricity you need for your home.
How much does it cost to replace a breaker box?
Here in Vancouver, the cost to replace a breaker box averages around $10,000, but these projects can cost anywhere from $8,000–$12,500 depending on the circumstances.
If your home needs a full electrical panel replacement, the cost will be higher. This includes replacing a fuse box with a breaker panel, which is typically a wise decision given that fuse boxes tend to be older and less user-friendly. You may also need to fully replace an existing breaker box if yours is outdated, damaged, or simply can’t handle the amount of service you want for your home.
The cost to upgrade your service may be lower
If you only need to upgrade your home’s service, the cost may be lower than the cost to replace a breaker box entirely. This is because some electrical panels have additional space to handle larger service loads. If your home uses a more future-proof panel that can handle, for example, 200 amps rather than the 100 amps you’re currently using, this upgrade will be less costly.
The likelihood of needing to replace your breaker box entirely will depend on the age and condition of your device and the amount of service your home requires. An upgrade to 400 amps, for instance, is much more likely to require a panel replacement as well.
Other factors that impact cost
Several other factors can have a large impact on how much it costs to replace a breaker box. Those factors include:
- Type of electrical panel – Higher-capacity electrical panels cost more and carry higher installation costs as well. If you’re looking to replace your existing breaker box with a 400-amp rather than a 200-amp panel, for instance, the cost will increase accordingly. Different brands of panels also have price differences according to the features and warranties that may be offered.
- Your existing panel – An electrical panel replacement can be fairly straightforward, but it’s typically more labour-intensive to swap out a fuse box for a breaker box than it is to replace an existing breaker box.
- Complicated installation – A simple swap of one panel for another will be a more time-efficient project than a more complicated installation. Access issues can make replacing a breaker box more difficult, and sometimes upgrading to a new panel will require additional upgrades (such as rewiring) to complete.
Still Unsure? Contact TCA Electric to Learn More!
With such a significant variance in cost, you’re likely still unsure what to expect when replacing your breaker box. At TCA Electric, we put excellent service and transparency at the forefront of what we do.
If you’re looking to learn more about replacing your home’s breaker box and upgrading your service, reach out to the TCA team today! We’ll answer all your questions, give you an idea of the cost, and can provide a full estimate following an inspection of your existing electrical systems.