How Much Does a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade Cost on Long Island? (2026 Guide)

If you've been quoted anywhere from $1,200 to $6,000 for a 200-amp panel upgrade on Long Island, you're not crazy — the spread is real. This guide breaks down what Suffolk County homeowners actually pay in 2026, and why two quotes for the "same" job can be thousands apart.

Quick answer: 200-amp panel upgrade cost on Long Island

For most Long Island homes in 2026, a 100A → 200A panel upgrade runs $1,800–$3,500 installed, including the electrical permit and third-party inspection. Homes that also need a new meter pan, service mast, or PSEG cut-in usually land at the higher end. Larger homes going 200A → 400A run $3,800–$6,500.

What goes into the price

• The panel itself. A Square D QO, Eaton CH, or Siemens 200A panel runs $350–$700 in materials.
• AFCI/GFCI breakers. Code now requires arc-fault protection on most living-area circuits. Each AFCI breaker is $50–$80 vs $8 for a standard breaker. A typical 30-circuit upgrade adds $300–$600 in breakers alone.
• Meter pan + service mast. If yours is old, corroded, or not to PSEG's current spec, it gets replaced too — usually adds $400–$900.
• Grounding upgrade. Modern code requires two ground rods bonded to the panel plus water-pipe bonding. About $150–$300.
• Permit + inspection. Town electrical permit fees on Long Island range $75–$250. The third-party electrical inspection (Atlantic-Inland, NEIB, or similar) is $80–$150.
• PSEG Long Island coordination. A "cut and reconnect" — where PSEG pulls the meter so the service can be replaced — is scheduled by your electrician. Usually free, but it adds 1–3 weeks to the calendar.
• Labor. A typical 100A → 200A swap is 6–8 hours of on-site work for two licensed electricians.

What pushes the price up

• Finished basement around the panel. If we have to open and patch sheetrock to land new circuits, that's added time.
• Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel. Not more expensive per se, but these are an immediate safety priority — don't put it off.
• Aluminum branch wiring. If your home has 1970s aluminum wiring on 15/20A circuits, those connections need special CO/ALR pigtails or AlumiConn lugs.
• Outdoor service replacement. A full mast + weatherhead + meter pan + service entrance cable replacement adds $800–$1,500 vs. a simple indoor panel swap.
• Going to 400A. Either two 200A panels or a 400A service rated panel — common for larger Long Island homes adding heat pumps, EVs, and pool equipment all at once.

What should be included in any honest quote

• New 200A main breaker panel from a major brand (Square D, Eaton, Siemens — not off-brand)
• All circuits transferred, labeled, and torqued to spec
• AFCI/GFCI breakers where code requires
• New grounding electrodes
• Town electrical permit pulled
• Third-party electrical inspection scheduled
• PSEG Long Island cut-in coordinated
• Old panel removed and disposed
• Written workmanship guarantee

If a quote is missing any of those line items, ask why before you sign.

Permits and inspections in Suffolk County

Every Long Island town requires an electrical permit for a panel upgrade — the Town of Smithtown, Town of Islip, Town of Brookhaven, Town of Huntington, and Town of Babylon all enforce this. The Building Department issues the permit; the inspection is performed by an approved third-party electrical agency. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and handle the PSEG meter cut-in as part of every panel upgrade we do. You don't deal with any of it.

How long does the actual install take?

On-site work is typically 6–8 hours for a 100A → 200A swap. Your power is off for most of the day — plan to be out of the house if you work from home, and pull anything from the fridge/freezer that's at risk. Permit and PSEG scheduling adds 1–3 weeks before install day.

When you really do need 200 amps

• You have or are adding central AC plus electric oven plus electric dryer.
• You're installing a Level 2 EV charger.
• You're adding a heat pump, hot tub, or pool equipment.
• You're finishing a basement that adds new lighting + outlets + bathroom.
• Your panel is FPE or Zinsco — replace for safety regardless of load.
• Your panel is 25+ years old and corroded, hot, or making noise.

Get an honest quote

We give every Long Island homeowner a free in-home assessment and a fixed-price written quote — no surprise change orders, no high-pressure sales. Most upgrades are completed in a single day. Learn more about our Long Island panel upgrade service or call (516) 361-4068 — Rob answers personally.