- Locally licensed electricians only
- Permit + agency inspection in the quote
- PSEG LI cutover coordinated
Why so many Long Island homes need an upgrade now
Most of Nassau and western Suffolk was built in the 1940s through the 1970s, when 60- and 100-amp services were normal. Today's loads are different: central air or a heat pump (a 3-ton unit draws roughly 30–40 amps), a Level 2 EV charger (40–60 amps continuous), induction ranges, pools and hot tubs. Solar and battery interconnections also tend to assume 200-amp service. A 100-amp panel that was fine in 1985 is often the bottleneck, though not always (is 100-amp service enough?).
What a complete panel upgrade includes
- A load calculation, so the new service is sized for what you actually run
- New meter pan rated for the service, main panel and breakers (AFCI/GFCI where code requires)
- Service entrance cable, and a new mast and weatherhead if the old one is undersized or rusted
- Grounding and bonding brought up to current code
- The permit and filing with an approved electrical inspection agency
- Scheduling the PSEG Long Island meter pull and reset, and submitting the inspection certificate
What it costs
| 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. |
Full breakdown, with sources: panel upgrade cost on Long Island.
The process, step by step
- Walk-through and load calculation (about 30–60 minutes).
- Written, itemized quote. Permit, inspection and PSEG coordination should be line items.
- Permit and inspection application. Your electrician files with an agency your town accepts.
- PSEG Long Island scheduling. The utility needs notice to pull and reset the meter.
- Install day. Meter pulled in the morning, old equipment out, new service in.
- Inspection and reconnection. The agency issues the certificate; PSEG LI reconnects the service.
How this works in each town: electrical permits and inspections on Long Island.
Red flags in a panel quote
- No permit or inspection on the paperwork, or "we don't need one for this"
- You're told to call PSEG yourself
- No license number, or only a Nassau County Home Improvement number (that license excludes electricians)
- Off-brand panels, or a turnkey price far below the Long Island range with no explanation
How to check a license where you live: checking an electrician's license on Long Island.
Where we cover
Panel & Service Upgrades quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Who licenses the electrician and which inspection agencies are accepted differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a 200-amp upgrade?
Common triggers: adding central air or a heat pump, a Level 2 EV charger, a pool or hot tub, an induction range, or solar; breakers that trip when two big loads run; and any Federal Pacific, Zinsco or fuse panel. A licensed electrician's load calculation is the real answer. Sometimes a load-management device avoids the upgrade.
Who calls PSEG Long Island to pull the meter?
Your electrician should. A complete quote includes scheduling the PSEG LI meter pull and reset and submitting the inspection certificate. If the answer is "you do," ask why.
How long will the power be off?
Usually most of one working day on install day. The whole process, including the permit, inspection and PSEG scheduling, typically takes two to three weeks.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade?
Yes. Panel and service work must be inspected by an approved agency, and PSEG Long Island won't reconnect an upgraded service without that Electrical Inspection Certificate.
Is there a tax credit for panel upgrades in 2026?
The federal 25C credit that covered panel upgrades ended for work placed in service after December 31, 2025. See our 2026 incentives page for what's still available.
Related services
- Federal Pacific & Zinsco Panel Replacement: Replacing Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, Challenger, Pushmatic and old fuse boxes, often on a home-sale or insurance-renewal deadline.
- EV Charger Installation: Level 2 home chargers on a dedicated circuit, with a load check first so a 100-amp house doesn't trip, and help with the PSEG LI charger rebate.
- Generator Installation: Whole-house standby generators with automatic transfer switches, or a code-compliant inlet and interlock for a portable generator.
- Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting: Breakers that keep tripping, dead outlets, flickering lights, half the house without power, warm or buzzing devices.
- Urgent & Emergency Electrical: Burning smells, sparking outlets, storm-damaged service masts and power problems that can't wait for next week.
- House Rewiring: Replacing knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated and ungrounded wiring, and remediating 1960s–70s aluminum branch wiring.
- Lighting & Ceiling Fans: Recessed lighting, fixture and fan installs, dimmers, outdoor and landscape lighting.
- Electrical Safety Inspections: A licensed electrician's evaluation for a home purchase or sale, an insurance carrier's request, or peace of mind in an older house.