If the air conditioning stops working entirely—with the electrical supply apparently cut off—most Florida homeowners will want the problem fixed ASAP, especially if it happens in midsummer.
This usually requires some AC troubleshooting but one reason could be a faulty or overloaded electric panel.
Though panels generally last for decades, they are not “bulletproof”. Problems can develop if too many appliances overload the panel or if a fault develops with the panel itself. Either way, it needs immediate attention from a licensed electrician to prevent safety issues, inconvenience, and discomfort at home.
So, what’s the cost of an electrical panel if you need to replace or upgrade it in Florida?
COST OF AN ELECTRICAL PANEL IN FLORIDA
Depending on the required amperage and other factors, the usual cost of an electrical panel in Florida is between $1,000 and $2,000 (fully installed) but this may increase to $5,000-$10,000 for a 400-amp panel or a complete panel relocation. A good average guideline price is around $1,500 but this depends on many factors (see more below).
| Amperage of Panel | Suitable for? | Cost of Panel (Part Only) | Cost of Panel (Fully Installed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100-amp panel | Small homes with limited appliances running | $200-$400 | $750-$2,250 |
| 200-amp panel | Homes built since 2015 & homes larger than 1800 sq. ft. & with garages | $375-$500 | $2,000-$4,000 |
| 400-amp panel | Very large homes with multiple additions & very high energy usage | $500-$750 | $4,000-$7,500 |
STAY COOL ALL YEAR ROUND WITH ONE WAY AIR…
The team at One Way Air installs, services, and repairs all types of air conditioning systems in Southwest Florida. Get in touch with us here for a quote or call 239-233-4356 in emergencies.
WHY THE COST OF AN ELECTRICAL PANEL IN FLORIDA MAY VARY…
An electric panel acts as the central hub for distributing electricity throughout a building, performing a vital safety function and often requiring a significant investment.
The average cost of around $1,500 for an electrical panel replacement in Florida is a guideline figure only and it varies according to the following factors…
Type of panel
Not all electrical panels are equal. They can vary by:
If you’re considering a major addition, like a whole-house generator, you’ll need to make sure that the electric panel upgrade supports the required amperage—which will require a professional evaluation from an electrician.
Often, a subpanel will be slightly cheaper than a main electrical panel. Simply replacing a circuit breaker switch should be considerably cheaper—less than $200.
Installation location and complexity
If you’re upgrading your electric panel, increasing your home’s amperage requirements or installing a subpanel, more electrical wiring and extra work may be required. Installing a panel in a new location is almost always more expensive than replacing one in the same location.
Some outdoor installations of electrical panels may also require weatherproofing, which will require more work and increase costs.
Also, the location of your property will affect the cost of the panel. The cost of the device itself may vary as well as the installation costs. Electrical work in urban areas is often more costly than work in rural areas.
Labor costs
Different electrical contractors charge different rates, which will also affect the end cost of the electrical panel installation. Most electricians in urban Florida charge around $50-$100/hour plus service call costs of $100 to $200 for the first hour.
Replacing an electrical panel and all of its associated components by an electrician will take at least 5-8 hours—and complex jobs can take 20 hours or more—so it’s easy to see how the costs of electric panels can mount.
Besides variations in the basic hourly rate, simple replacements will be quicker and lower in labor costs than jobs requiring wholesale rewiring and installation in a new position in the home.
Additionally, emergency service or after-hours labor will almost always be charged at a higher rate than the standard rate.
Permit and inspection fees
As per the Florida Building Code, all electrical work in the state must be performed by licensed electricians and building permits must be obtained for electrical work, including new installations, repairs, and upgrades. This adds to the cost of an electrical panel in Florida.
Depending on the size and type of project, installing or replacing residential electric panels may require payment of permit fees of $50 to $300. Contact your local building department for fee schedules.
Performing work without the required permit is inadvisable as you could be charged double or triple the fee afterward—or the entire project may need to be disassembled for inspection to check compliance with local regulations.
Costs for additional features
When your electrician performs the work on your electric panel, additional work or features may be recommended depending on the electrical setup in your home.
For instance, extra surge protection devices may be recommended for some electric panel installations. The meter box or service entrance cables may need to be upgraded or a new outlet added. Sometimes, faulty wiring needs to be replaced.
Drywall may also need to be replaced or trenching work performed to enable the new electrical setup, which will add significantly to the overall project costs.
WHY REPLACE OR UPGRADE AN ELECTRICAL PANEL?
Homeowners should familiarize themselves with the tell-tale signs of problems with electric panels and circuit breakers. People usually take them for granted—until they stop working and there’s no air conditioning, heating, lighting or internet.
In particular, watch out for the following signs:
If your electric panel is several decades old or more (some brands have become obsolete) and/or you may be adding large appliances, it’s worth considering an upgrade to increase home safety, capacity, and compliance with the Florida Building Code.
Electrical panel repair vs. replacement
If an electrical panel runs into problems but is less than 20 years old and there are no major safety, rewiring or extra amperage requirements, an electrician may recommend repairs rather than replacement.
Basic repairs may only cost a few hundred dollars. If the repair cost is likely to exceed $1,000 or there are questions over whether your existing panel can handle extra appliances, it’s generally a better idea to replace and upgrade the panel, especially if there are other electrical issues in your home.
Also, if you need to relocate your electric panel (to a safer location?) or upgrade to increase the value of your home, a replacement is likely a better option than repairs.
HOW CAN YOU SAVE COSTS WITH ELECTRICAL PANEL REPLACEMENT IN FLORIDA?
Cutting corners to save costs is a bad idea with electrical equipment or electrical installations. Safety must always come first.
That said, some basic steps can save you from forking out unnecessarily for an electric panel replacement in Florida:
Remember, hiring anyone other than a licensed, insured professional electrician to replace your electric panel could backfire and end up costing you more.
FAQs
If you suspect issues with your electrical panel, call a local professional electrician without delay. If the problem relates to your air conditioning and you’re in Southwest Florida, our technicians can help.
Talk to an AC professional about how to keep your family comfortable all year round by contacting One Way Air today.
