How much does Electrical panel repair cost?

Flickering lights, frequently tripped circuit breaker switches, or a buzzing sound from your electrical panel box could mean your electrical panel needs repair. An electrical panel—also known as a circuit breaker box or (in older buildings) a fuse box—is the device all homes use to distribute electric power to outlets, light fixtures, and appliances. The breaker switches or fuses act as safeguards against fire hazards or electrocution when the home’s electrical circuits overload or have other problems. Loose connections, faulty breakers, and everyday wear can cause problems that require repair or replacement.

Contact an electrician if you experience any of these problems:

This guide explains the cost of hiring a licensed electrician for electrical panel repair. Pricing data is based on estimated project costs provided to Yelp users by professionals, along with industry research. Learn more in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

The typical cost of residential electrical panel repair is $285, but ranges from $160–920 nationwide, including materials and labor, according to quotes provided by Yelp pros for real-life projects. Specific prices depend on whether the project involves a main electrical panel or a subpanel, as well as the complexity of the repair. 

Replacing a circuit breaker, for example, can take 2 hours or less at an electrician’s typical hourly rate of $134 (according to nationwide Yelp data). More complex repairs, or jobs that involve rewiring the panel, can take from 4 hours to a full work day or longer.

The typical cost to repair a main electrical panel is $330, with a nationwide range of $170–1,160, according to Yelp data. This is the primary circuit breaker box that serves the whole house, so it’s larger and contains more wiring and circuit breaker switches than a subpanel.

The cost of subpanel repair is typically $230, with a nationwide range of $135–$430. A subpanel is a smaller circuit breaker box that branches off from the main panel to serve part of the house or a single large appliance, such as an air conditioner. Homeowners may install one or more subpanels to increase the home’s electrical capacity without upgrading the main panel itself.

For a major job like electric panel installation, electricians either charge by the hour (plus the cost of materials) or provide a price quote for the entire job.

The typical cost to hire an electrician is $134 per hour, according to Yelp data. But the cost can range from $80–195 per hour nationwide, depending on factors such as the electrician’s skill level and local labor rates. Costs also vary widely in different locations—for example, typical rates quoted by electricians are $115 per hour in Paso Robles, California, but $154 per hour in Seattle. 

Based on their assessment of the problem, an electrician may quote a total price that includes labor costs, travel expenses, and the cost of materials such as circuit breakers and electrical wire. It’s a good idea to compare 2–3 quotes from qualified, local professional electricians.

Many electricians charge an initial service fee of $100–200, which may cover travel time to a site, diagnosing the problem, providing a cost estimate, and minor repairs such as tightening wire connections or resetting a breaker. If the repair takes longer, an hourly rate may then go into effect.

Instead of a service-call fee, some electricians charge a fixed diagnostic fee when they need to inspect a home’s electrical system. “If a customer calls us out because they have flickering lights or they’ve lost power somewhere in their home, finding the problem is what takes the most time and labor cost,” says certified electrician Vlad Kravets, co-owner of Reamco Electric in New Holland, Pennsylvania.

In some cases, it makes better economic sense to replace the electrical panel than have it repaired. Electric panel replacement costs range from $900–3,980, according to Yelp data. 

An older electrical system is less likely to accommodate your home’s modern power demands, putting more stress on the equipment and making it more costly to fix. If you’re starting to have issues that require repair, a complete electrical panel upgrade or service upgrade—for example, going from a 100-amp panel to a 200-amp panel—may be a better use of your budget. 

Consider hiring an electrician for replacement if your panel is:

Here’s what you’ll typically pay for specific types of fixes to electrical panels.

Rewiring an electrical panel costs $80–195 per hour for an electrician’s time—the number of hours depends on the size of the panel and how many circuits it contains. If, for example, your panel is in relatively good shape but wiring isn’t up to local electrical codes, rerouting existing wiring and adjusting connections might take 2 hours, while a job involving an older panel needing new wiring could run 4 hours or more. 

Tightening loose connections can usually be handled within the basic cost of a $100–200 service-call fee. All the wiring connections and screws in an electrical panel need to be tight. They can loosen due to aging, damage to the panel, or flipping breaker switches over time.

To have blown fuses replaced, you’ll usually pay a basic $100–200 service fee plus $15 per replacement fuse. This is only necessary in older homes equipped with fuse boxes instead of circuit breaker panels. Unlike a circuit breaker, which can be switched off and on, a fuse “blows” when a circuit overloads, and needs to be replaced with a new one to turn power to that circuit back on.

If a circuit breaker is defective or broken, it usually needs to be replaced, at a typical cost of $185–795—or as little as $150 for a single-pole breaker, the most common type. For specialty breakers with added safety features, such as ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI), you’ll pay more. 

The cost to replace the main breaker is $200–600, including parts and labor—but you could pay more, depending on the age of your panel. The main breaker is a switch that controls power to the entire service panel. 

Here are some issues that can affect the total cost of an electrical panel repair project.

The cost of electrical panel repair can vary significantly in different areas, depending on local labor rates, competition, and overall cost of living. Rates tend to be lower in small towns or rural areas than in larger cities. For example, in Paso Robles, California, a typical rate quoted by electricians on Yelp is $115 per hour, but in Seattle, $154 per hour is more typical. 

Some municipalities require a permit for almost any type of residential electrical work, with fees ranging from $75–500. Contact your city’s building department or ask your electrician about what your local building codes require. In some cases, your electrician will obtain the permits, but you’ll still be responsible for any fees. Make sure the electrician includes these costs in your quote.

Electrical circuit boxes are typically installed on an easily accessible interior or exterior wall. But certain wiring may be hidden behind drywall or in electrical conduit (pipes). When wiring isn’t easily accessible, repair is more time-consuming, adding to labor costs.

The following advice may help reduce the cost of electrical panel work.

You can save your electrician time and reduce labor costs by ensuring that the area around the panel is free of furniture, debris, or other obstacles.

Research qualified local electrical pros and ask at least 2–3 for a cost estimate. Keep in mind that an electrician’s skill level may affect the price. A journeyman electrician, whose hourly rates may be lower, can typically handle a basic job like circuit breaker repair. Master electricians, usually priced at the high end of the scale, are only necessary for more complex jobs. 

Electrical businesses sometimes offer discounts to new customers, seniors, or members of the military. They may also have seasonal rates or online coupons that reduce the total cost.

Repairing an electrical panel isn’t a do-it-yourself project, and shouldn’t be attempted by anyone but a qualified electrician. Incorrectly handling the panel or wiring could expose an untrained person to the risk of electric shock. And if electrical work not approved by an authorized building authority causes an accident or fire, homeowners insurance won’t cover damages.

When you start gathering quotes from local electricians, it’s wise to ask a few key questions about their business. Answers to the following questions can often be found on the business’s Yelp Business Page.

Questions about the business 

Questions about repair costs

How long will it take to repair my electrical panel?

Simple repairs, such as replacing a circuit breaker, can take 2 hours or less. More complex repairs, or jobs that involve rewiring the panel, can take from 4 hours to a full work day or longer. Electricians’ rates range from $80–195 per hour nationwide, with a typical rate of $134 per hour, according to Yelp data.

Is it expensive to replace an electrical panel?

The total cost to replace an electrical panel ranges from $900–3,980 (including the cost of the panel), according to Yelp data. If your panel is older, damaged beyond repair, or can’t handle your home’s electrical needs, replacing it with a new or upgraded model is often the best option.

Does homeowners insurance cover electrical panel replacement?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover electrical box replacement in the event of damage caused by sudden perils such as fire, lightning, and power surges. Depending on the details of your policy, it may pay the full or partial cost of replacement (typically $900–3,980), sometimes after a deductible is met. Make sure the work is done by a pro who’s accepted by your insurance provider.

Find a qualified electrician in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.