I'm Anthony Reece, owner of Reece Group LLC and the master electrician on every job we do. Homeowners ask me about panel upgrade pricing more than almost anything else, and I get why — the range you find online is all over the place. So here's the most honest breakdown I can give you, based on the jobs we actually complete across Worcester and the rest of Massachusetts.
These are real numbers from 2026. Not national averages, not estimates pulled from a database. Actual pricing from a licensed MA electrical contractor (License #9036A1).
Panel Upgrade Cost Ranges by Job Type
Every panel job is different, but most residential work falls into one of these categories:
| Job Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 100A to 200A panel upgrade | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| 200A panel replacement (same amperage) | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| 200A to 400A upgrade | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Sub-panel installation | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Federal Pacific / Zinsco panel replacement | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Meter base / service entrance replacement | Add $800 – $2,000 |
Federal Pacific and Zinsco replacements tend to land on the higher end because these panels are old, and the homes they're in usually have other issues — outdated wiring, corroded service entrances, or meter bases that don't meet current code. The job is rarely just swapping the panel.
What's Included in a Good Quote
When you get a quote from a reputable electrician, here's what should be covered:
- All labor — from start to finish, including cleanup
- All materials — the panel itself, breakers, wire, connectors, and mounting hardware
- Permit fees — pulled by your electrician, not you
- Utility coordination — scheduling the meter pull with National Grid
- Inspection — the wire inspector must sign off before the utility reconnects power
- Cleanup — the work area should be left clean
- Warranty on workmanship — if something goes wrong, it gets fixed at no charge
If a quote doesn't explicitly include all of the above, ask why. At Reece Group, every written quote we provide covers every one of these items. No surprise line items after the fact.
What Lowball Quotes Leave Out
When a quote comes in way below everyone else's, there's a reason. Here's what's typically missing:
- Permits. Some contractors skip the permit entirely. This is illegal in Massachusetts and leaves you exposed — your insurance may not cover a fire caused by unpermitted electrical work.
- The meter pull. If the utility needs to disconnect and reconnect power, someone has to coordinate that. Cheap quotes often don't account for it.
- Licensed labor. If the person doing the work isn't a licensed electrician (or is a subcontractor the company doesn't directly employ), you're taking on risk. At Reece Group, I'm the master electrician on every job. No subcontractors, ever.
- Quality materials. Some contractors use used or refurbished panels. Your electrical panel protects your home from fire. This isn't the place to cut corners.
- Warranty. No warranty means if a breaker fails six months later, you're paying again.
The lowest price is almost never the best value. Get multiple quotes — I encourage it — but compare what's actually included.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Here's why two panel upgrades in the same town can cost different amounts:
Panel Location
A panel in an unfinished basement with clear access is straightforward. A panel buried behind drywall in a finished basement, or crammed into a closet, adds hours to the job. If the panel needs to be relocated, that's a bigger project entirely.
Service Entrance Condition
The service entrance is the path electricity takes from the utility to your panel — the mast, weatherhead, and SE cable on the outside of your house. If these components are old, damaged, or undersized, they'll need to be replaced as part of the upgrade. That adds $800 to $2,000 depending on the scope.
Utility Requirements
Most panel upgrades require National Grid to pull and reset the meter. This means scheduling with the utility, and their timeline isn't always fast. Delays of a week or more aren't unusual. We coordinate all of this, but it can affect your project timeline.
Municipal Permit Fees
Permit costs vary significantly across Massachusetts towns. Worcester, Shrewsbury, Holden, Auburn — they all have different fee structures. Some towns charge a flat rate, others charge based on the scope of work. This is factored into every quote we write.
Existing Wiring Condition
When we open up a panel, sometimes we find problems that weren't visible before — knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, or double-tapped breakers. Knob-and-tube doesn't necessarily mean a full rewire, but it may mean additional work to bring things up to a safe standard. We never do additional work without discussing it with you first and providing a price before we proceed.
Sub-Panel Needs
If you're adding an EV charger in a detached garage, finishing a basement, or adding a workshop, you may need a sub-panel in addition to the main panel upgrade. This is a separate cost ($1,200 – $2,500) but it's often more practical than running individual circuits long distances back to the main panel.
Hidden Costs Most Homeowners Don't Think About
Even with a thorough quote, there are a few things that can affect your total cost or timeline:
- Utility scheduling delays. National Grid has to disconnect and reconnect your power. If their schedule is backed up, your project could be delayed by days. During that wait, you may need temporary power arrangements.
- Drywall patching. If the panel is being moved to a new location — or if we need to access wiring behind finished walls — there will be drywall work needed after the electrical is done. This is typically handled by a drywall contractor, not the electrician.
- Extended power outage. Most panel swaps involve 4 to 8 hours without power. But if utility coordination gets complicated, or if we discover additional issues, the outage could extend longer. We always give you advance notice so you can plan.
The Massachusetts Permit Process
Every electrical panel job in Massachusetts requires a permit — no exceptions. Here's how it works:
- Your licensed electrician pulls the permit with the local building department before work begins.
- The work is completed.
- The municipal wire inspector comes out and inspects the work.
- Once the inspector approves, the utility is authorized to reconnect power.
The utility will not reconnect your meter until the inspector signs off. Any contractor who tells you a permit isn't necessary is either uninformed or cutting corners — either way, walk away.
Reece Group handles the entire permit and inspection process on every job. You don't have to call the building department, schedule the inspection, or coordinate with National Grid. That's all on us.
What Transparent Pricing Looks Like
Here's how we handle pricing at Reece Group:
- We come to your home and assess the job in person. Panel work can't be accurately quoted over the phone.
- You receive a written quote that covers everything — labor, materials, permits, utility coordination, inspection, and warranty.
- The price on the quote is the price you pay. If we discover something unexpected during the job, we stop and discuss it with you before any additional work is done.
- No deposit is required until you're ready to schedule the work.
We don't believe in surprise invoices. The whole point of a written quote is that both sides know exactly what to expect.
Get a Free On-Site Estimate
If you're thinking about a panel upgrade in Worcester or anywhere in Massachusetts, Reece Group LLC provides free on-site estimates. I'll look at your panel, your service entrance, and your electrical needs, then give you an honest number with everything included. No pressure, no sales tactics — just straight answers from the master electrician who'll be doing the work.