Panel upgrade checker
Short answer: This checker counts common warning signs (small or fuse-based panel, no free slots, other big electric loads, a large charger). It cannot decide for you: an electrician's load calculation does. Panel upgrades add $1,500–$3,000 to a charger install nationally, per Qmerit.
Last updated:
Panel upgrade cost by city
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Jose, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
- Austin, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Memphis, TN
- New York City, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Washington, DC
- Arlington, VA
- Richmond, VA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Tucson, AZ
- Dallas, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Miami, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Detroit, MI
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Kansas City, MO
- St. Louis, MO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Nashville, TN
National panel upgrade figures
| Source | Figure |
|---|---|
| Qmerit (national) | A panel upgrade adds $1,500–$3,000 to a Level 2 charger install. |
| HomeAdvisor (an Angi brand, national) | Panel replacement $518–$2,194 (average $1,347); 200A upgrade $1,300–$2,000; 100A→200A $750–$2,000 excluding new circuits; permits and drywall add $150–$300. Page dated “Updated Jun 17, 2026”. |
Last checked: 2026-10-25. Circuit sizing: Sources: Town of Brookline, MA – Electrical Code excerpt (NEC 625.41/625.42, official PDF); ChargePoint – Electrical Design (installation guide: 32 A load needs a 40 A breaker) (accessed 2026-10-25). The warning signs are a heuristic, not code thresholds.
Does this checker tell me if I need a panel upgrade?
No. It counts warning signs and points you to the right page. Only an electrician's NEC load calculation decides.
What circuit does a Level 2 charger need?
At least 125% of the charger's load (NEC 625.41): a 40 A charger needs a 50 A circuit.