Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in Los Angeles (2026 Guide)

If your Los Angeles home still runs on a 60- or 100-amp service, you have probably wondered what an upgrade actually costs before you call anyone out. The honest answer is that the electrical panel upgrade cost in Los Angeles depends on your amperage, your home's wiring, permit fees, and which utility and city your home is in. This 2026 guide covers realistic price ranges, what drives them up or down, and what changes by city. Prices are typical 2026 market ranges and every home is different, so treat them as planning numbers. For a firm number on your home, request a free estimate or call 747-255-8595.

How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in Los Angeles?

For most single-family homes in Los Angeles, a standard electrical panel upgrade cost falls between roughly $2,000 and $4,500 for a like-for-like 200-amp service. Larger jobs that involve moving the panel, upgrading the meter, or adding a subpanel can run higher. Here are typical price ranges by job type:

• 100-amp panel replacement: $1,500 – $2,800 — best for small homes, condos, and like-for-like swaps.
• 100A to 200A panel upgrade: $2,500 – $4,500 — the right call for most homes adding EV chargers, AC, or modern appliances.
• 200-amp upgrade with meter and service-entrance work: $3,500 – $6,000 — for older homes with outdated service entrances.
• 400-amp service upgrade: $5,000 – $10,000+ — for large homes, ADUs, and heavy electrification. See our guide to 400-amp service upgrades.
• Subpanel addition: $900 – $2,500 — for garages, workshops, and room additions.

The single biggest variable is amperage. 200-amp service is the most common request we see in Los Angeles, because it gives you headroom for an EV charger, central air, a heat pump, and modern appliances all at once.

What's Included in the Cost of a Panel Upgrade

When a licensed electrician quotes an electrical panel replacement cost, the price usually bundles several line items. Understanding them helps you compare bids fairly:

• The panel and breakers — a quality 200-amp load center with breakers typically runs $300–$800 in materials.
• Labor — usually the largest share, reflecting a full day of work for a licensed crew plus a utility-coordinated shutdown.
• Permit and inspection fees — Los Angeles requires a permit for panel work; city fees commonly range from about $150 to $500 depending on jurisdiction.
• Utility coordination — disconnecting and reconnecting service with your utility (Pasadena Water & Power, Southern California Edison, LADWP, Glendale Water & Power or Burbank Water & Power), and any meter changes.
• Code-required extras — grounding and bonding updates, AFCI/GFCI breakers, and new service-entrance conductors if the old ones are undersized.

What Makes Panel Upgrade Costs Go Up

Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes. These are the factors that most often push an electrical panel upgrade cost toward the high end in Los Angeles:

Older homes and outdated service

Many homes in Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, and the San Fernando Valley predate modern electrical demands. If the meter or service conductors are also outdated, those need replacing too. Homes with hazardous Federal Pacific (FPE) or Zinsco panels almost always need a full replacement rather than a simple swap. See why Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels are a problem.

Panel relocation

Moving the panel to a new wall — for clearance, remodeling, or aesthetics — adds rewiring and patching labor. Keeping it in the same spot is always cheaper.

Rewiring and code corrections

If an inspector finds aluminum branch wiring, missing grounds, or unsafe splices, those may need to be addressed before the new panel passes. You can often handle electrical repairs as part of the same visit, which is more efficient than a separate trip.

Higher amperage and EV readiness

Stepping up to 400-amp service, or wiring the panel to support a Level 2 charger, increases both materials and labor. If a charger is on your roadmap, mention it up front — planning your EV charger installation alongside the panel upgrade avoids paying for two separate mobilizations.

Permits and Utility Steps by City: What Changes Your Panel Upgrade

Yes, a panel upgrade needs a permit and an inspection everywhere in Los Angeles County. A reputable electrician pulls the permit for you and schedules the inspection. Unpermitted panel work can void insurance, fail at resale, and create real safety hazards. What changes from city to city is who issues the permit and which utility sets your meter:

• Pasadena (Pasadena Water & Power): City of Pasadena Building & Safety issues the permit. PWP's steps start with a meter spot from its Electric Service Planning office, and only PWP may unlock the meter. It currently lists 14 business days to re-energize small residential jobs after all clearances, and services over 200 amps single-phase need provisions for a City-owned transformer on your property. Details are in our Pasadena electrical permits guide.
• Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and Arcadia (Southern California Edison): Altadena permits come from LA County Public Works, Building & Safety; the other cities use their own building departments. Not sure which utility serves you? See PWP vs SCE.
• Most City of Los Angeles neighborhoods (LADWP): LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) issues the permit. For a new single-family panel up to 320 amps, LADWP asks you to request a free meter spot before installing, and the LADBS inspector may ask to see it.
• Glendale and Burbank (their own city utilities): Glendale Water & Power and Burbank Water & Power each run their own service-upgrade process. Glendale's official EV charger guidance calls for a separate service-upgrade permit when the meter or panel changes, so confirm the steps first.

We pull the permit under our C-10 license and coordinate with your utility, so none of this lands on you.

Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Panel

Cost matters, but so does timing. Consider an upgrade if you notice any of these:

• Breakers that trip frequently or won't reset
• A 60-amp or 100-amp service feeding a modern, appliance-heavy home
• Plans for an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or ADU
• A fuse box, or a known-defective FPE or Zinsco panel
• Flickering lights, warm panel covers, or a burning smell
• Reliance on power strips because you've run out of circuits

If you're seeing the last two warning signs, treat it as urgent and call a licensed electrician right away. Learn more about a full electrical panel upgrade in Los Angeles and what the process looks like from quote to final inspection.

How to Save Money on a Panel Upgrade

You don't have to spend more than necessary. A few practical tips:

• Bundle related work. Combining a panel upgrade with EV charger wiring, repairs, or a subpanel cuts down on repeat labor and trip charges.
• Get itemized, written quotes. Compare panel, labor, permit, and utility line items rather than a single lump sum.
• Right-size the service. A 200-amp panel covers the vast majority of LA homes; you rarely need 400 amps unless you're heavily electrifying or running an ADU.
• Ask about rebates. PWP currently lists $1,000 (plus $500 if income-qualified) for an upgrade to 200 amps or more with dedicated EV charger and water heater circuits; see our Pasadena panel upgrade rebate guide and how a panel upgrade can save money. Qualifying SCE customers may get up to $4,200 through Charge Ready Home (eligibility). Rebates are paid only to that utility's customers and terms change, so confirm with your utility first.
• Hire licensed and insured pros. A correctly permitted, inspected job protects your home value and avoids costly redo work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel in Los Angeles?

Most Los Angeles homeowners pay between $2,000 and $4,500 for a standard 100-amp to 200-amp upgrade. Jobs that also require meter or service-entrance work, or a panel relocation, can range from $3,500 to $6,000 or more.

How much does it cost to upgrade to a 200-amp panel?

The cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amps typically runs $2,500 to $4,500 in the LA area, including the panel, breakers, labor, and permit. The final price depends on the condition of your existing service and how much code-correction work is needed.

Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel?

Yes. Panel upgrades require a permit and inspection in Los Angeles and neighboring cities. A licensed electrician should pull the permit and coordinate the inspection as part of the job.

Can you upgrade an electrical panel without rewiring the house?

Often, yes. If your branch wiring is in good condition and up to code, the panel can be replaced without rewiring. Rewiring is only needed when an inspector finds unsafe or outdated wiring that must be corrected.

When should I upgrade my electrical panel?

Upgrade when you have a 60- or 100-amp service feeding a modern home, when you're adding major loads like an EV charger or heat pump, or when you notice tripping breakers, a fuse box, or a defective FPE/Zinsco panel. Any burning smell or warm panel is an emergency.

Get an Accurate Panel Upgrade Quote in Los Angeles

911 Construction & Electric Inc. is a licensed, bonded and insured C-10 electrical contractor (CA Lic. #1027421) at 1308 E Colorado Blvd Ste 141, Pasadena, CA 91106, serving Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles. The only way to know your real panel upgrade cost is a proper assessment of your existing service, and we give upfront pricing after we see it. Request a free estimate, call 747-255-8595 or visit https://911electrics.com. 24/7 emergency service available.