If you own a home in the Greater Toronto Area and your electrical panel is more than 25 years old, upgrading it is one of the smartest investments you can make. I'm Sam, owner of City Power Electrical Services (ECRA/ESA #7015314), and I've done hundreds of panel upgrades across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and the surrounding GTA. Here's what you can realistically expect to pay in 2026.
The most common panel upgrade in Ontario is going from 100 amps to 200 amps. For a straightforward swap where the utility service entrance is already adequate, you're typically looking at $3,200 to $4,500 including parts, labour, the ESA permit, and the required inspection. That price assumes the meter base is in good condition and the utility company doesn't need to upgrade the service cable from the street.
If your home still has a 60-amp fuse panel — and there are still thousands of these in Toronto's older neighbourhoods like the Beaches, Leslieville, and High Park — the cost rises to the $4,000 to $6,000 range. Why? Because a 60-amp service almost always means the meter base, the service entrance cable, and sometimes the mast and weatherhead all need replacement. The utility company (Toronto Hydro or Alectra, depending on your area) will need to disconnect and reconnect service, which adds coordination time.
Here's a breakdown of what's included in a typical 200-amp panel upgrade. The panel itself — a quality unit from Siemens, Eaton, or Square D — runs $400 to $800 depending on the number of spaces. Labour for a licensed electrician is the largest portion, usually $1,500 to $2,500 for a full day's work including running new service entrance conductors. The ESA notification (permit) costs around $100 to $200 depending on the scope. You'll also need new copper grounding to the water pipe and ground rods, which adds $200 to $400 in materials and labour.
Several factors can push your cost higher. If your home needs a new meter base, add $300 to $600. If Toronto Hydro or Alectra needs to upgrade the service drop from the transformer, there may be a utility charge of $500 to $2,000 or more, though many utility upgrades for residential service are covered at no charge — it depends on your specific situation. Homes with aluminum service entrance cable may need that replaced with copper, adding $500 to $1,000 depending on the run length.
One thing I always tell homeowners: don't cheap out on panel spaces. A 40-space panel costs only $100 to $200 more than a 30-space panel, but it gives you room to add circuits for EV chargers, heat pumps, or a finished basement down the road. I install 40-space panels as my standard because the incremental cost is minimal compared to the hassle of running out of space in five years.
The ESA inspection is mandatory in Ontario for any panel upgrade. Under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC), all electrical work must be performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority. The inspection fee is included in the notification cost. Your electrician files the notification, the ESA sends an inspector within a few business days, and if everything passes, you get a certificate of inspection. This certificate is important — you'll need it if you sell your home or make an insurance claim.
A word about permits and insurance. If you have your panel upgraded without an ESA permit and inspection, your home insurance company can deny a claim related to electrical issues. I've seen this happen. It's not worth the risk. Always verify that your electrician has a valid ECRA/ESA licence and pulls the proper permits.
For multi-unit homes (duplexes, triplexes), the cost scales up because each unit typically needs its own panel and metering. A duplex panel upgrade can run $6,000 to $10,000 depending on the scope. Commercial panel upgrades are priced differently and depend heavily on the amperage and three-phase requirements.
Timeline-wise, a standard residential panel upgrade takes one full day. We typically start at 8 AM, coordinate with the utility for the disconnect, complete the swap, and have power restored by late afternoon. The ESA inspection usually happens within 3 to 5 business days after we file the notification.
If you're in the GTA and want an accurate quote for your panel upgrade, give us a call at 416-877-3048. We provide free estimates, and every job comes with a proper ESA permit and inspection. No surprises, no hidden fees — just honest pricing from a licensed electrician who's been doing this for years.