Independent Research · No Contractor Bias

Know exactly what you need
before you hire an electrician.

Real costs. Real tradeoffs. We explain the job so contractors can't oversell you on upgrades you don't need.

An electrical panel upgrade is one of the most expensive things a contractor can recommend — and one of the easiest to oversell. The job runs $1,500 to $4,000 for a standard 200-amp upgrade, more if the utility has to move the meter or the service entrance needs work. Permits are required in every state. Inspections are mandatory. Most homeowners don't know any of this until they're already holding a quote.

PanelNerd covers the full decision: what triggers a legitimate upgrade (EV charger installs, solar additions, home additions, chronic breaker trips), what the work actually costs by region and amperage tier, how to evaluate contractor quotes, and what the process looks like from permit to final inspection. Independent research, no contractor affiliation.

Start Here

What brought you here?

Pick the guide that matches your situation.

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Hub 1 — Cost

What does a panel upgrade actually cost?

Price tables by amperage tier, labor breakdowns, regional variation, and what drives costs up. The reference every contractor quote should be measured against.

Read the Cost Guide →

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Hub 2 — EV Charger

Does an EV charger actually require a panel upgrade?

70–80% of installs don't need one. We walk through exactly when you do and don't, with a decision framework you can use before calling anyone.

Get the Answer →

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Hub 3 — Amperage

100A vs 200A vs 400A panel: which do you need?

Plain-English explanation of what each service level can handle, the load calculation method, and which tier actually matches your home's situation.

Compare Amperage →