Can I Do My Own Electrical Panel Upgrade?
In most jurisdictions, no — the service panel (the 100-to-200-amp — the utility's connection) requires the licensed electrician (the permit's — the explicitly) and the utility's coordination (the meter's — the disconnect). Some rural jurisdictions allow the homeowner's with the inspection; the urban's — the licensed only. The panel's — the arc-flash's, the service's — the professional's.
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What's involved
The service (the mast — the riser's; the meter — the utility's; the disconnect — the coordinated), the panel (the 200-amp — the breakers'; the AFCI/GFCI — the code's), the grounding (the electrodes — the system's; the bonding), and the circuits (the labeling — the directory's).
Code and permits
The electrical permit (the service's — the upgrade; the inspection — the rough and the final), the licensed (the jurisdictions' — the requirement; the homeowner's — the rare), the utility (the disconnect/reconnect — the scheduling; the meter's), and the NEC (the 2020/2023 — the AFCI's expansion; the surge — the protection).
Cost
The $2,500-$5,000 (the straightforward — the 200-amp; the panel's), the $5,000-$10,000+ (the service's — the mast, the underground; the upgrades'), and the DIY's — the permit's denial; the insurance's — the void. The panel is the home's electrical heart — the licensed's work.
The bottom line
Service panel upgrades require permits, utility coordination, and (in most jurisdictions) a licensed electrician — budget $2,500-$10,000+; homeowner DIY is rarely allowed for service work.
Torch Engineering PLLC · (480) 490-0064 · info@torchengineering.com — PE stamping backed by Apex Grid Engineering.