Finance category
Mortgage, loan, investing, tax, and money calculators.
Electrical Upgrade Cost Calculator
A modern home needs at least 200-amp service for heat pumps, EV chargers, and electric appliances. This calculator prices out panel swaps, full service upgrades, whole-house rewires, and EV charger installations.
most homes: 200A
Estimated total
$3,340
installed
Low end
$2,839
High end
$4,342
Permits (included)
$350
How the math works
Panel upgrades typically run $1,800–$3,500 for a 100A→200A swap. A full service upgrade (pole, mast, meter, panel) is $3,500–$6,500. Whole-house rewires on a 1,800 sq ft home usually land $7,000–$14,000 — double that if plaster walls need patching.
Knob-and-tube and aluminum branch-circuit wiring are common insurance issues. Many carriers either refuse coverage or charge a surcharge until the wiring is replaced. Budget for restoration cost — drywall patching is often 20–40% of the total rewire job.
How to Use
- Pick the scope. Panel-only swap is the cheapest; full rewire is the most expensive.
- Enter house square footage — drives rewire labor.
- Set target amperage. 200A covers most homes; 400A needed for all-electric with EV and heat pump.
- Set complexity. Plaster walls, finished basements, and knob-and-tube removal can nearly double cost.
- Apply regional factor for your metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an electrical upgrade?
Yes, almost universally. Unpermitted electrical work is a common insurance and resale issue, and the utility company won't re-energize service without a final inspection signoff.
Is knob-and-tube wiring safe?
Intact K&T in open air is safe, but most homes have had it buried behind insulation, altered by DIY, or subjected to 100 years of moisture and mice. Most insurers require replacement to maintain coverage.
How much does an EV charger install cost?
Typical Level 2 (240V 40–60A) install runs $1,200–$2,800 depending on panel capacity and run length. Add a subpanel or upgrade service if capacity is tight.
What about aluminum wiring?
Aluminum branch circuits (1965–1975) are a known fire risk. COPALUM crimping at connections costs $1,500–$3,500 as a retrofit; full replacement is $10,000+ but preferred.
Related Calculators
Deferred Maintenance Calculator
Combine electrical with other catch-up capex.
Rehab Budget Calculator
Full rehab scope.
HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator
Check service capacity for heat pump.
Plumbing Repair Budget Calculator
Another major system replacement.
Home Equity Loan Calculator
Finance electrical upgrade with equity.
Maintenance Reserve Calculator
Build a reserve for future upgrades.
More Finance Calculators
Browse all finance →AI Cost Calculator
Compare token costs across OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google AI models. Calculate monthly API spending for GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, and more.
Tip Calculator
Calculate the perfect tip and split the bill between friends. Choose preset percentages or enter a custom tip amount.
Bill Splitter Calculator
Split an uneven restaurant bill by item, divide tax and tip proportionally, and see exactly who owes whom.
Discount Calculator
Calculate sale price, discount amount, stacked discounts, sales tax, and total savings for any markdown.
Gas Mileage Calculator
Calculate MPG or km/L, estimate trip fuel cost, and compare annual fuel expenses between two vehicles.
Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, reverse-calculate the pre-tax amount from a total, and estimate tax for multiple items on one receipt.
Keep exploring
Next steps in Finance
Previous calculator
Earthquake Insurance Calculator
Estimate earthquake insurance premium by coverage limit, deductible, construction type, and regional risk zone.
Next calculator
Emergency Fund Calculator
Estimate your emergency savings target, funding gap, and time to goal based on monthly essential expenses.