Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost

“How much does a panel upgrade cost?” is the most-asked question in our Dallas inbox, and most answers online are national averages that don’t survive contact with a real DFW house. Here’s how the price is actually built, what moves it up or down in this market, and how to compare quotes without getting burned.

The Honest Price Ranges in DFW

Like-for-like panel swap (same location, same service size, modern breakers): the entry point — typically low four figures.
100→200 amp service upgrade (new panel, new service entrance conductors, meter base, mast, grounding, utility coordination): the most common job we quote, mid four figures for most homes.
Complications — relocation, stucco/brick rework, buried service, long feeder runs, or remediation of aluminum branch wiring found once the panel opens: adds accordingly, and a good quote calls it out separately.

We quote flat, in writing, after seeing the house — because the house is where the real number lives.

What You’re Actually Paying For

The panel and breakers — copper-bus load center, AFCI/GFCI breakers where code requires (these protective breakers are a meaningful share of material cost), and a whole-home surge protector, now required by code on panel replacement.
Service equipment — on 200A upgrades: conductors, meter can, mast, and the grounding electrode system brought to current code.
Utility coordination — scheduling the Oncor disconnect/reconnect so your power is down hours, not days.
Permit and city inspection — every DFW city requires both; a quote without a permit line is a red flag, not a discount.
Licensed labor — a master electrician’s crew, one day on site for most jobs.

What Moves the Price in North Texas

Brick exteriors (most of Plano and Frisco) complicate mast and meter work. Older inner-ring homes in Dallas, Irving, and Duncanville often need grounding systems built essentially from scratch. FPE or Zinsco replacement is usually straightforward — the panel itself is the hazard, and if you’re not sure, start with our warning signs guide.

Comparing Quotes Without Getting Burned

Ask every bidder: Is the permit included? Is the surge protector included? Are AFCI/GFCI breakers included or “as needed”? Who coordinates Oncor? What’s the warranty? Our answers: yes, yes, included per code, we do, and 10 years on workmanship. The cheapest quote in the stack is usually missing two of those lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance or resale value justify it?

Replacing a fuse box or FPE panel frequently lowers premiums, and buyers’ inspectors flag old panels every time — see what shows up in a pre-purchase inspection. It’s one of the rare upgrades that’s both safety and equity.

How long is the power off?

Typically 4–8 hours on the day of the swap. We schedule Oncor in advance and stage everything so the outage window stays short.

Want a real number for your house? Call Bright Way Electrical Contracting at (817) 932-1099 or request a free panel upgrade estimate — flat pricing, no surprises, serving DFW since 1998.