200-Amp Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in Texas (2026)
Texas homes are adding big electrical loads: larger AC systems, heat pumps, EV chargers and electric water heaters. A lot of older houses still have 100-amp service, so a 200-amp upgrade is one of the most common electrical jobs in the state. Texas adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code in September 2023, and its outdoor emergency disconnect requirement now shows up on many service upgrade quotes [1]. The figures below come from 2026 guides, three of them Texas-specific.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 100A to 200A upgrade, overhead service, Texas | $2,000–$3,500 [1] |
| 100A to 200A plus outdoor disconnect, Texas | $2,800–$4,500 [1] |
| Same-amperage 200A panel swap, Texas | $1,800–$3,200 [1] |
| 200A upgrade plus panel relocation, Texas | $4,500–$7,500 [1] |
| 200A to 400A upgrade, Texas | $5,000–$12,000+ [1] |
| Standard 200A upgrade, DFW (one contractor's range) | $2,500–$4,500 [3] |
| 100A to 200A upgrade, national | $1,300–$1,600; $1,800–$2,500 with a new service panel [4] |
| 200A service upgrade, national (Fixr figure) | $1,800–$4,500 [5] |
| Subpanel instead of a full upgrade, national | $500–$1,000 [4] |
Prices by Texas metro
For a straightforward 100A to 200A overhead upgrade, PanelNerd puts DFW at $2,800–$4,500 (with the 2023 code items included), Houston at $1,800–$3,500, Austin and San Antonio at $1,800–$3,200, and rural Texas at $1,500–$2,800 [1]. It also says to budget about $220 separately for Austin Energy's utility application [1]. The Neighbor's Guide's estimates for a standard upgrade run a bit higher: $2,800–$4,500 in DFW, $2,600–$4,200 in Houston and San Antonio, and $3,000–$5,000 in Austin [2].
Why Texas quotes run above national averages
National guides like HomeGuide's often price only the panel swap [4], while many Texas quotes include the outdoor disconnect, surge protection and arc-fault breakers. PanelNerd estimates the outdoor disconnect alone adds $1,000–$1,650 to most metro service upgrades [1]. Texas electrician wages are actually below the national median [1], so the gap is mostly about scope. A quote that leaves out the code items can look cheap and then grow once the permit is pulled [1].
What moves the price
- Meter base and service entrance. An old weatherhead, mast or meter socket often has to be replaced at the same time, and this is where quotes jump [2]. Upgrades with service entrance work run $4,200–$7,500 depending on the metro [2].
- Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers. The 2023 code requires them on more circuits, so older homes may need more breaker upgrades [2].
- Grounding. New panels need a proper grounding system, which adds cost if yours is missing or outdated [2].
- Moving the panel. Relocating it roughly doubles the job [5][1].
- Permit and inspection. Fixr puts the permit at $50–$300 and the inspection at $125–$250 [5]. Permits are required for panel upgrades in DFW cities [3].
Practical tips
- If you just need one big new circuit, such as an EV charger, ask whether a subpanel would do instead of a full service upgrade [5].
- Get three itemized bids that state whether the outdoor disconnect, surge protection, permit and utility disconnect and reconnect are included [1][2].
- Your utility (Oncor, CenterPoint, Austin Energy or CPS Energy) has to disconnect and reconnect service, which can add scheduling time [2][1].
- Panel work in Texas requires a licensed electrician. Here's how to check a Texas electrician's license. If the upgrade is for a new AC system, see AC replacement cost in Texas.
Sources
- PanelNerd, 200-Amp Panel Upgrade in Texas: Cost & Permits (2026)
- The Neighbor's Guide, 2026 Electrical Panel Cost Guide for Texas Homeowners
- Spiller's Electric, Do You Need a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade? (DFW)
- HomeGuide, Cost to Replace or Upgrade an Electrical Panel
- CostFlock, Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost in 2026 (citing Fixr and HomeGuide, Sep 2026)
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