If you are getting quotes for a 200-amp electrical panel upgrade in Aiken, SC, the first thing you probably want to know is how much it is going to cost. The short answer: most homeowners in the Aiken area pay between $2,800 and $4,500 for a complete 200-amp panel upgrade, depending on the scope of work involved.
That range exists because no two panel upgrades are identical. The final price depends on what is already in your home, what needs to be replaced, and whether additional work is required to bring your system up to current code. This post breaks down exactly what goes into the cost so you can understand what you are paying for and why.
What Is Included in a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade?
When electricians talk about a "200-amp panel upgrade," they can mean different things depending on your home's current setup. Here is what typically falls under that scope:
Panel-only replacement is the simplest version. Your home already has 200-amp service from the utility, and the existing panel is outdated, damaged, or a known hazard like a Federal Pacific or Zinsco model. In this case, the electrician replaces the panel box, the bus bar, all circuit breakers, and reconnects your existing circuits. This is the lower end of the price range.
Full service upgrade is required when your home currently has 100-amp or 150-amp service and needs to be brought up to 200 amps. This involves more than just the panel itself. It typically includes a new 200-amp meter base, new service entrance cable from the meter to the panel, a new grounding system (ground rods and bonding), the new 200-amp panel with main breaker and circuit breakers, and coordination with the local utility for disconnection and reconnection. This is the more common scenario for older homes in Aiken and is where most projects fall in the $3,200 to $4,500 range.
Panel relocation adds cost if the panel needs to move from one location to another, such as from an interior closet to a garage wall or from one side of the house to the other. This requires rerouting the service entrance and extending or rerouting branch circuits, and it can add $800 to $1,500 or more to the project depending on distance and complexity.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down?
Several factors determine where your project lands within that $2,800 to $4,500 range:
The current state of your electrical system. If your home has a clean, accessible panel with properly labeled circuits and modern wiring, the swap is straightforward. If your existing panel has unlabeled circuits, double-tapped breakers, aluminum wiring connections, or other code violations, those issues need to be addressed during the upgrade. An electrician cannot install a new panel and knowingly leave hazardous conditions behind it.
The number of circuits. A 20-space panel costs less than a 40-space panel. Most homes in Aiken need a 30-space or 40-space panel to handle current loads plus leave room for future additions like an EV charger, hot tub, or workshop circuits. Going with a larger panel during the initial install is always cheaper than adding a subpanel later.
The meter base. If you are upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service, the meter base must also be upgraded. In some cases, Dominion Energy or the local utility handles the meter itself, but the homeowner is responsible for the meter base (the enclosure it sits in) and the service cable connecting it to the panel. A new meter base and service entrance cable typically adds $400 to $800 to the project.
Grounding. Current NEC code requires two ground rods driven at least eight feet into the ground and spaced at least six feet apart, plus a grounding electrode conductor bonded to the panel. Older homes may have a single ground rod or rely on a water pipe ground that no longer meets code. Bringing grounding up to current standards is not optional and is included in a properly quoted upgrade.
Permits and inspections. A panel upgrade in Aiken County requires an electrical permit and a final inspection by the local building department. Your electrician should handle the permit application and schedule the inspection as part of the project. Permit fees are typically $75 to $150 and should be included in your quote. If an electrician tells you a permit is not needed for a panel upgrade, that is a red flag.
Why the National Averages Do Not Apply Here
You will find websites quoting national averages of $1,300 to $3,000 for a 200-amp upgrade. Those numbers are misleading for a few reasons.
First, many of those averages include panel-only swaps where the service is already 200 amps. That is a simpler job. Second, national averages blend pricing from markets with vastly different labor rates and cost of living. Third, the cheapest quotes often reflect handyman-level work without permits, without proper grounding, and without code compliance, which creates liability for the homeowner and leaves safety gaps.
In the Aiken, SC market, a licensed electrician performing a full 200-amp service upgrade with proper materials, permitting, and inspection will typically fall in that $2,800 to $4,500 range. That price reflects the actual cost of quality materials, professional labor, overhead, permitting, and doing the job right.
Signs Your Home Needs a 200-Amp Upgrade
Not every home needs a panel upgrade. Here are the situations where it makes sense:
Your panel is 100 amps or less. Most homes built before the 1980s in Aiken were wired with 100-amp or even 60-amp service. That was adequate for the electrical demands of that era. Today, with central HVAC systems, multiple kitchen appliances, home offices, and electronics in every room, 100 amps is often not enough. If your breakers trip regularly under normal use, your panel is telling you it cannot keep up.
You have a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or fuse box. These are known safety hazards. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels have documented breaker failure rates above 50%. Zinsco panels have a history of breakers fusing to the bus bar. Fuse boxes lack the protection of modern breakers and cannot support AFCI or GFCI circuits now required by code. All three should be replaced regardless of amperage.
You are adding major electrical loads. Planning to install a Level 2 EV charger, add a hot tub, build a workshop, convert to an electric range or dryer, or add a room addition? Each of these can require 30 to 60 amps of dedicated capacity. If your existing panel does not have room, an upgrade is the right path forward.
You are renovating or selling. A panel upgrade during a renovation prevents having to open walls twice. If you are selling, a modern 200-amp panel is a strong selling point and removes a common objection during home inspections, especially in older Aiken neighborhoods where buyers expect to see updated electrical systems.
Your insurance requires it. Some homeowners insurance providers in South Carolina will not write or renew policies for homes with outdated panels, particularly Federal Pacific or Zinsco models. Others charge higher premiums. A panel upgrade can resolve the issue and may reduce your annual premium.
What to Look for in a Quote
When comparing quotes from electricians in the Aiken area, look for these elements in every estimate:
Scope of work. The quote should clearly state whether it covers a panel-only replacement or a full service upgrade including meter base, service entrance cable, and grounding. Vague quotes that say "install new panel" without specifying what is included are a warning sign.
Materials specified. You should see the panel brand and size (for example, Square D Homeline 200A 40-space/80-circuit), the type and gauge of service entrance cable, and whether new ground rods are included. Generic "materials included" line items make it impossible to compare quotes accurately.
Permit and inspection included. The electrician should be pulling the permit and scheduling the inspection. If the quote does not mention permits, ask. If the electrician says you do not need one, find a different electrician.
Utility coordination. A 200-amp upgrade requires the power company to disconnect and reconnect service. Your electrician should coordinate this scheduling as part of the project so you know when the power will be off and for how long. Typically, power is off for four to eight hours on the day of installation.
Warranty. Ask what is covered if something goes wrong after installation. A reputable electrician will stand behind their work and the materials they install.
How Long Does the Job Take?
A straightforward 200-amp panel upgrade in Aiken typically takes one full day, roughly six to ten hours of on-site work. More complex jobs involving panel relocation, extensive circuit rework, or discovery of unexpected issues behind the old panel (corroded wiring, improper connections, pest damage) may extend into a second day.
Your power will be off during the core of the installation. A good electrician will give you a realistic estimate of the outage window so you can plan accordingly, especially if you work from home, have medical equipment, or need to manage food storage.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Unity Power & Light provides detailed, written estimates for 200-amp panel upgrades throughout Aiken, SC, Graniteville, North Augusta, and the surrounding CSRA communities. Every quote includes a full scope of work, specified materials, permit fees, and utility coordination so you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before any work begins.
We handle the entire process from start to finish: initial assessment, permit application, installation, utility coordination, and final inspection. Every panel upgrade is installed to current NEC code standards.