A panel upgrade is one of the most common electrical projects in Toronto homes — and one of the most searched. If your home has a 60A or 100A service and you're adding an EV charger, heat pump, or finishing a basement, a 200A upgrade is often on the table. Here's what it actually costs in Toronto and what drives the price.
Typical Panel Upgrade Cost in Toronto
A standard 100A to 200A panel upgrade in a Toronto detached home, where the service entry doesn't need to be moved and the meter base is in good condition, typically falls in the $2,500–$4,000 range installed, permitted, and inspected.
That price includes the new 200A panel, breakers, the ESA permit, and the inspection. It doesn't include Toronto Hydro's reconnection fee (usually around $400–$700), which is paid directly to Hydro.
What Affects the Price
- Service entry location and length. If the meter and panel are on the same wall and the entry cable run is short, the job is more straightforward. Longer runs, relocation of the panel, or difficult service entry routing adds cost.
- Meter base condition. If the meter base (the socket the meter sits in) is old or damaged, it needs to be replaced at the same time. Add $300–$600 for a new meter base.
- Toronto Hydro reconnection. Toronto Hydro disconnects and reconnects the service at the street when the meter is pulled. This is a utility fee billed directly to you — not by your electrician. Expect $400–$700 for this fee.
- Grounding and bonding updates. Older homes may need grounding electrode updates to current code. This adds a small amount to the job.
- Knob and tube or aluminium wiring. If your home has knob and tube wiring, some insurers require it to be addressed as part of the upgrade. That's a separate scope of work.
- Interior panel relocation. Moving the panel from one location to another (e.g., out of a finished room into an unfinished area) adds significant cost due to the additional wiring work.
What's Included in a Proper Panel Upgrade
A properly quoted panel upgrade in Toronto should include:
- New 200A load centre with breakers
- New service entry cable (if required)
- Grounding electrode system update (if required)
- ESA permit
- ESA inspection and sign-off
- Coordination with Toronto Hydro for disconnect/reconnect
If a quote doesn't mention the ESA permit and inspection, ask explicitly. Work done without a permit isn't inspected — and uninspected electrical work creates problems when you sell your home.
Why Do Toronto Homes Need Panel Upgrades?
The most common reasons Toronto homeowners upgrade their panel:
- EV charger installation. A 40–60A EV charger requires available capacity and a dedicated circuit. Many 100A panels are already close to their limit.
- Heat pump or air conditioning. Heat pumps draw significant power. Adding one to a loaded 100A service often requires an upgrade.
- Basement renovation. Finishing a basement adds circuits — additional loads that a 100A panel may not have headroom for.
- Insurance requirements. Some insurance companies in Ontario won't renew or will significantly increase premiums on homes with 60A service, older fuse panels, or panels with known issues.
- Older fuse box. If you have a fuse box rather than a breaker panel, replacement is almost always worthwhile regardless of amperage.
Should I Get Multiple Quotes?
Getting two or three quotes is reasonable for any significant electrical project. When comparing, make sure all quotes include the same scope — specifically whether the ESA permit, inspection, and Toronto Hydro coordination are included.
Be cautious of quotes that seem significantly lower than others. Panel upgrades involve pulling the meter (a utility disconnection), working on live service entrance conductors, and ESA inspections — shortcuts in any of these areas create real risks.
Get a Quote from Portman Electric
We provide firm, written quotes for panel upgrades across Toronto. The quote includes the ESA permit, inspection, and Toronto Hydro coordination. No surprises.