How much would an electrician charge to replace a breaker box?

An electrician would typically charge 1,500 to 4,000 dollars to replace a breaker box, also called a load center or panel, depending on size, location, permits, and labor rates in your area. For a standard 100 amp to 200 amp residential panel replacement, which is the most common when replacing dangerous Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, the total cost including new panel from Square D QO or Homeline, Eaton BR or CH, or Siemens, new breakers, permits, labor, and inspection typically ranges from 1,500 dollars on the low end for a simple replacement in an area with low labor costs to 3,500 dollars on the high end for a 200 amp panel in a high cost area like California or the Northeast. If you need to upgrade from 100 amp to 200 amp service, which is often recommended for modern homes with air conditioning and EV chargers, the cost may be 2,500 to 5,000 dollars because it requires new service entrance cable, meter base, and utility coordination. Additional costs may include drywall repair, permits costing 100 to 300 dollars, and bringing grounding up to current code. Emergency or after-hours replacements cost more. Always get at least three quotes from licensed electricians, ensure they are licensed and insured, and check that the new panel is UL listed and meets current National Electrical Code requirements.