I need to have my house upgraded from 50 amps to 100. How much will this cost?

Question

I need to have my house upgraded from 50 amps to 100. How much will this cost?

Answer 1

In my part of the country (Chicago area), this costs $1,000 to $2,000. Your town also may require the electrician to pay for and pull special permits that could add to the cost.

This is worth the trouble if you're trying to sell the house. The major insurance companies will not longer sell new policies for houses that aren't up to 100-amp service. You have home insurance because you were granfathered in, but a new buyer won't be able to get it without the upgrade.

Answer 2

If you live in NYC a lot $2000 to maybe $3500+.  If you live anywhere else less.  

Is it underground service?  Is it overhead?  Are we talking 110 or 220.  Is it a restricted community or attached housing?  Is the available power nearby or are you going to have to pay for new lines to be run from the main road 1/4 mile away and install some new poles at the same time.  What is your local inspector like and what is the reputation of your electrician with that inspector.  Will he require that k**b and tube wiring to also be upgraded when you do the new service?  Is there some other difficulty that would be obvious on site that that is something you "never thought of"?

There are many variables that a qualified electrician is going to answer for you when you call him to give his probably free estimate.  You can even call more than one and compare them.   It is the best place to start.

Answer 3

Call several electricians to get an estimate.  There are WAY too many variables for someone to tell you over the Internet (or the phone) without seeing your home!