Get an instant ballpark range for an electrical panel or service upgrade — then a real number from a load calculation, not a guess.
This calculator gives you a planning estimate anchored on the typical Houston-area 200-amp panel upgrade ($1,183–$1,972), adjusted for your current service size, your target amperage, and a few of the cost movers we see most often. It is an estimate only — every TriCoast job is quoted from a real load calculation and a look at your actual panel, meter, and service entrance. No email gate, no spam, no obligation.
Pick your current service size and the amperage you're aiming for, then check any cost movers you know apply. We'll show you a conservative range. Remember: it's an estimate — the real number comes from a load calculation.
The typical Houston-area 200-amp panel upgrade runs $1,183–$1,972. Coming from a smaller service, going to 400 amps, or any of the cost movers above will push the total higher — we don't put a dollar figure on those sight unseen. Your real number comes from a load calculation and a look at your actual panel, meter, and service entrance. Request a quote for an exact price.
This tool is built to set expectations honestly, not to win the lowest-number race. We'd rather you walk in knowing the real range than be surprised later.
The anchor is the typical Houston-area 200-amp panel upgrade: $1,183–$1,972. Coming from a smaller service (100 or 125 amp) usually means more work at the meter and service entrance, so the range nudges up. A 400-amp service is a bigger job — larger or paired equipment, heavier conductors, and more coordination with CenterPoint — so it lands well above a standard swap.
The cost movers are the extras we see most often: relocating a mast or meter, bringing grounding and bonding up to NEC 2023, and the permit and inspection fees that come with every legitimate job. We don't put a dollar figure on those for your house sight unseen — they're itemized in the written quote after a load calculation.
What we don't do: quote an upgrade you don't need. We lead with a load calculation and verify whether your existing panel can carry the new load first. If it can, we'll tell you — in writing.
If you have a Federal Pacific (FPE), Zinsco, or Stab-Lok panel, the upgrade math changes. These are known fire-risk panels — breakers that don't always trip — and insurers increasingly flag them. If yours is one of these, full, or insurer-flagged, the question isn't just cost; it's whether it's safe to keep. We'll assess it and, if needed, replace it to code and coordinate the swap with CenterPoint.
Excellent communication in setting up the appointment! Donald is awesome. He explained the work, started immediately and ensured that the work was done correctly. The job site was spotless after the work was completed, and I was impressed that he has a checklist that will ensure a thorough job from start to finish. Outstanding company. Highly recommend.
I had a generator inlet and sub panel installed by Jason at TriCoast. The work was great, cleaned up their mess and tested everything before they left. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for a professional electrical project. Pricing was extremely fair for the work that was done. Give them a call, you will not regret it.
It's a planning estimate, not a quote. The range is anchored on the typical Houston-area 200-amp panel upgrade ($1,183–$1,972) and adjusted for your service size, target amperage, and a few known cost movers. Your real price comes from a load calculation and a look at your actual panel, meter, and service entrance.
The biggest movers are panel size and condition, the length and routing of the service run, the breakers and equipment you need, and any code corrections. Relocating a mast or meter, bringing grounding and bonding up to NEC 2023, and permit fees can each add to the job. We put all of it in the written quote — no trip-fee surprises. See our panel-upgrade cost guide.
Yes — and in Houston the electrical permit can only be pulled by a registered master electrician, so a homeowner legally can't pull one. We're the registered master electrician, we pull the permit, and we schedule the inspection. The permit and passed inspection stay with your house, which matters at resale and with your insurer. More in our Texas electrical permit guide.
Generally yes. A 400-amp service usually means larger or paired equipment, heavier conductors, and more involved coordination with CenterPoint, so it lands well above a standard 200-amp swap. Most homes don't need 400 amps — we run a load calculation first and only recommend it when the load genuinely calls for it.
Yes. We lead with a load calculation and verify whether your existing panel can handle the new load before we ever quote an upgrade. If you don't need one, we'll tell you — in writing. See panel upgrades.
Tell us about your panel in a few fields and we'll get back to you, usually with a same-day callback. We start with a load calculation, put everything in a written quote, and back it with our permits-and-inspection-included promise and a workmanship warranty.