This electrical panel upgrade cost calculator estimates the installed price of a 200 A service or panel upgrade in Canada (low, typical and high, before tax). Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: a 100 A to 200 A overhead service upgrade (meter base, mast, panel and grounding) costs about $3,400 before tax in Quebec ($2,500 to $4,500), $3,600 in Ontario, $3,900 in British Columbia and $3,600 in Alberta. A 200 A panel swap at the same location, without a new service entrance, costs about $2,300 in Quebec. Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.
To receive your detailed budget, use the "Send this budget by email (PDF)" form on renoclair.ca.
Free independent toolBefore tax. With tax (typical):
Cost breakdown (typical)
| Item | Estimated amount |
|---|
Typical 200A upgrade costs by province (before tax)
| Work (installed, before tax) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec : 100 A → 200 A service (meter base, mast, grounding) | $2,500 | $3,400 | $4,500 |
| Quebec : 200 A panel swap at the same location | $1,800 | $2,300 | $2,800 |
| Quebec : 100 A sub-panel | $1,150 | $1,650 | $2,450 |
| Quebec : underground service (extra) | $1,400 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Ontario : 100 A → 200 A service (meter base, mast, grounding) | $2,500 | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Ontario : 200 A panel swap at the same location | $1,500 | $2,200 | $3,000 |
| Ontario : 100 A sub-panel | $1,250 | $1,800 | $2,650 |
| Ontario : underground service (extra) | $1,500 | $2,200 | $3,200 |
| British Columbia : 100 A → 200 A service (meter base, mast, grounding) | $2,700 | $3,900 | $5,400 |
| British Columbia : 200 A panel swap at the same location | $1,600 | $2,400 | $3,300 |
| British Columbia : 100 A sub-panel | $1,350 | $1,950 | $2,850 |
| British Columbia : underground service (extra) | $1,600 | $2,400 | $3,500 |
| Alberta : 100 A → 200 A service (meter base, mast, grounding) | $2,500 | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Alberta : 200 A panel swap at the same location | $1,500 | $2,200 | $3,000 |
| Alberta : 100 A sub-panel | $1,250 | $1,800 | $2,650 |
| Alberta : underground service (extra) | $1,500 | $2,200 | $3,200 |
Before tax, November 2026. The same amounts are used by the heat pump and kitchen calculators when you tick the 200 A upgrade option.
Service upgrade or panel swap: what is the difference?
A service upgrade raises the capacity of the house from 100 A to 200 A: the electrician replaces the meter base, the mast or the underground conduit, the main panel and the grounding, and the utility disconnects and reconnects the service. A panel swap replaces only the panel, often to get more breaker spaces or replace an old model; it is cheaper but does not always add capacity. A sub-panel adds circuits in a garage, a basement or a suite without changing the service.
What is included and what is not
- Included: panel, main breaker, branch breakers transferred, meter base and mast (service upgrade), grounding, labour and permit
- Options: underground service in a trench, whole-home surge protector, AFCI/GFCI breakers required by code, EV charger rough-in
- Not included: utility connection fees when they are billed separately, drywall and paint repairs, and rewiring of old circuits
How the calculator calculates your estimate
Each type of work has a typical installed price per province; the options are added as lump sums. Ontario rates come from contractor price guides checked in October and November 2026 (overhead upgrade $2,500 to $5,000, about $3,800 budget). Quebec rates come from five electrician price pages (panel swap at the same location $1,800 to $2,800; new service entrance $2,500 to $4,500). British Columbia rates are about 8% higher than Ontario and Alberta rates equal to Ontario: these two provinces have fewer published sources and will be confirmed in February 2027. Taxes are shown separately: 14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, and 5% GST in British Columbia and Alberta. In BC, the contractor pays the 7% PST on materials and includes it in the price for work that becomes part of the house.
Permits, licences and rules
- Quebec: work by a contractor who is a member of the CMEQ, with disconnection and reconnection coordinated with Hydro-Québec.
- Ontario: ECRA/ESA licensed electrical contractor and an ESA notification of work; ESA’s 2026 fee for a single-dwelling service change is modest, and contractors usually include it in their price.
- British Columbia: electrical permit from Technical Safety BC or the municipality, and BC Hydro connection approval.
- Alberta: electrical permit under the Safety Codes Act and coordination with the local utility.
Rebates
There is no general rebate for a panel upgrade. In British Columbia, income-qualified households can get help for an electrical service upgrade done with a heat pump through the CleanBC Energy Savings Program. Check the current conditions before the work.
Which provinces are covered?
Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
Limitations
- This is a planning estimate, not a quote.
- A long distance between the meter and the panel, a full panel relocation or aluminum wiring can raise the price.
- The budget is sent as a PDF by email; the page has no print button.
Sources, review date and data version
- Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec (CMEQ)
- Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario)
- Technical Safety BC
- Alberta Safety Codes Act
- Price sources: contractor price guides published in 2026 (not named on this page); see sources and methodology.
- Data version 2026.Q4-panel-2, reviewed November 13, 2026. Next review: February 2027.
Related guides and calculators
- EV Charger Installation Cost Calculator
- Heat Pump Cost Calculator
- Solar Panel Cost Calculator
- Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator
- Basement Renovation Cost Calculator
- Hot water tank rental vs buying in Ontario
- All renovation cost calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 200 amp service upgrade cost?
About $3,400 before tax in Quebec, $3,600 in Ontario, $3,900 in British Columbia and $3,600 in Alberta for an overhead 100 A to 200 A upgrade (November 2026).
How much does an underground service add?
Typically $2,200 more in Ontario, because of the trench and conduit.
Do I need 200 amps for a heat pump or an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation by an electrician tells you if 100 A is enough; a load management device can avoid an upgrade for an EV charger.
Who can do the work?
A licensed electrical contractor: CMEQ member in Quebec, ECRA/ESA licence in Ontario, with a permit in BC and Alberta.
How long does a service upgrade take?
Usually one day of work, plus the utility appointment to disconnect and reconnect the service.
How do I get the budget as a PDF?
Run the calculation, enter your email address and accept the consent box: the PDF arrives by email within a few minutes.
When are prices updated?
Every three months; these prices were reviewed in November 2026.