Typical prices, line by line
| Job | Typical Long Island range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| 100A → 200A service upgrade (turnkey) | $3,200 – $5,800 | New meter pan, 200A panel, service cable, permit, agency inspection and PSEG LI meter pull/reset. Lower half if the mast and utility drop can stay. |
| Like-for-like panel replacement (same amperage) | $1,500 – $3,000 | Swapping an old or recalled 100A panel without increasing service size. |
| Meter relocation | +$600 – $1,200 | When the meter is behind a deck, next to the gas meter or otherwise lacks clearance. |
| New service mast & weatherhead | +$400 – $800 | Older homes with undersized, rusted or side-of-house service entrances. |
| Exterior emergency disconnect | +$250 – $450 | Required by newer code editions on many new or replaced services. Ask whether your quote includes it. |
| Sub-panel feeder replacement | +$500 – $1,100 | Undersized or aluminum feeders to a garage, basement or addition sub-panel. |
| Grounding upgrade | +$150 – $300 | Supplemental ground rod and updated grounding electrode conductor. |
| AFCI / GFCI breakers | +$35 – $60 per circuit | Arc-fault and ground-fault protection required on many circuits when a panel is replaced. |
| Electrical permit | $150 – $350 | Set by your town or village. Should be a line item on the quote. |
| Inspection agency fee | $85 – $185 | Paid to the approved third-party agency that issues the certificate PSEG LI needs. |
Published Long Island ranges vary. One Suffolk electrician cites $2,000–$3,500 including permits, another Long Island source $2,500–$5,000+ for a 200-amp upgrade, and homeowners on r/longisland report quotes around $4,000–$4,500. The $3,200–$5,800 turnkey range above is the most detailed 2026 breakdown we found; the sources are listed below.
What pushes a job to the top of the range
- The meter has to move: behind a deck, next to the gas meter, or without the clearance the utility wants.
- An undersized or rusted mast, or an old side-of-house service entrance.
- Sub-panels in a garage, basement or addition with undersized or aluminum feeders.
- Flood-zone homes where rebuilt or substantially improved houses generally need equipment above the design flood elevation.
- Many circuits needing AFCI/GFCI breakers once the panel is replaced.
Do you actually need 200 amps?
Not always. A 100-amp service becomes a real problem when you:
- add central air, a heat pump or electric heat;
- install a Level 2 EV charger (a continuous 40–60 amp load);
- add a pool, hot tub or detached-garage sub-panel;
- have breakers tripping when big loads overlap; or
- have a Federal Pacific, Zinsco or fuse panel, which should be replaced regardless of size.
A licensed electrician's load calculation is the deciding test. For EV charging alone, a load-management device can sometimes avoid the upgrade.
The PSEG Long Island part
PSEG Long Island won't connect a new or upgraded service without an Electrical Inspection Certificate from the authority having jurisdiction or an approved agency. Your electrician files the inspection, schedules the meter pull and reset, and submits the paperwork. Plan on two to three weeks from signing to finished, with the power off for most of install day. Step by step: electrical permits and inspections on Long Island.
Checklist before you sign
- Permit and inspection agency fee listed as line items
- The electrician schedules PSEG Long Island, not you
- A license number valid where you live (how to check)
- Name-brand panel and breakers specified
- Written workmanship warranty
Tax credits changed this year; see 2026 electrical incentives.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Long Island panel quotes vary so much?
Scope. One quote may include the meter pan, new mast, exterior disconnect, grounding, permit, agency inspection and PSEG coordination; another may include only the panel swap. Compare line items, not totals.
Is a quote under $2,800 for a 200-amp upgrade a red flag?
On Long Island in 2026, a turnkey 200A service upgrade far below the typical range usually leaves something out: the permit, the inspection, PSEG coordination, or a licensed electrician. Ask what's missing.
Does homeowners insurance pay for a panel upgrade?
Generally no; it's maintenance or an upgrade. Insurers may, however, require replacement of Federal Pacific, Zinsco and similar panels to write or renew a policy.
Can I finance it?
Many electricians offer financing on larger jobs. Ask for the cash price and the financed price in writing.
Sources
- Long Island Electric Co. — Panel Upgrade Cost on Long Island (2026)
- Haines Electric — Long Island Electrical Panel Replacement & Upgrade Guide
- Marra Electric — Upgrading Your Electrical Panel from 100 to 200 Amps (Suffolk)
- r/longisland — Cost of upgrading electrical panel (homeowner quotes)
- NYSERDA MyEnergy — Electrical Panel Upgrades