A sub panel typically costs $500-$4,000 to install, with many standard projects landing around $1,200-$2,000. The final price depends mainly on amperage, distance from the main panel, wiring access, and whether the electrical service needs an upgrade.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed sub panel | $500 | $1,600 | $4,000+ | Typical residential installation |
| Panel and breakers | $150 | $350 | $800 | Usually 60-amp to 125-amp panel |
| Labor | $300 | $900 | $2,000+ | Access and wiring distance affect hours |
| Permit and inspection | $50 | $200 | $500 | Varies by jurisdiction and scope |
Subpanel installation prices by amperage and scope
Most homeowners pay about $1,200-$2,000 for a straightforward subpanel installation. That often covers a 60- to 100-amp panel with 8-24 spaces, a short feeder run, standard breakers, and accessible indoor wiring. A simple nearby installation can cost $500-$1,000; a long run, finished-wall access, or higher-capacity setup can push the quote to $2,000-$4,000 or more.
Typical installed pricing is approximately $700-$1,500 for a 60-amp panel, $1,000-$2,500 for a 100-amp panel, and $1,500-$4,000+ for a 125- to 200-amp panel. These figures assume the main panel and electrical service can support the added load. Assumptions: U.S. residential labor, standard equipment, and no major service upgrade.
What panel, feeder wire, and electrician labor cost
The feeder run and labor usually explain more of the quote than the panel enclosure itself. The table separates common line items; actual quotes may combine materials and installation into one charge.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel and breakers | $150-$800 | Per panel | Capacity, spaces, breaker type |
| Feeder cable or conductors | $4-$15 | Per linear ft | Wire size, route, conduit |
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 | Per hour | Local rates and access |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$500 | Per project | City or county requirements |
| Wall repair or trenching | $100-$1,500+ | Per project | Finished surfaces or underground route |
Labor may take 4-10 hours for an accessible indoor installation; complicated routing or circuit transfers can require a full day or longer. is a useful estimate check, but electricians may quote a project rate that also covers setup, testing, and cleanup.
How feeder distance and panel capacity shift the quote
Every additional stretch of feeder wiring can raise material and labor costs. A subpanel 10-20 feet from the main panel may need only a short, direct route. A 50- to 100-foot run to a detached garage or workshop can add several hundred dollars to more than $1,500, especially when conduit, trenching, or difficult wall access is required.
Capacity matters too. A 60-amp panel can suit modest added circuits, while a workshop with larger equipment may call for 100 amps or more. At approximately 100 amps, conductor size and overcurrent protection must match the load and installation conditions; an electrician should calculate demand rather than select capacity by panel space alone. Adding 20 or more feet of feeder, crossing finished ceilings, or installing underground conduit can change a basic quote substantially.
Cut subpanel cost by keeping the route and scope simple
Choosing a location near the main panel is often the most effective controllable saving. Placing the subpanel on the same floor and along an accessible route can reduce feeder length, wall opening, and installation time. Ask whether existing circuits can be transferred safely and whether the planned panel has enough spaces without paying for unnecessary capacity.
Compare at least two or three itemized quotes with the same amperage, feeder route, breaker count, permit allowance, and finish work. Avoid choosing a contractor on price alone: the quote should identify who obtains permits and how grounding and neutral connections will be handled. Homeowners should not open or modify energized panels; electrical work should be performed by a qualified professional.
Garage and basement installations have different price ranges
Location often matters as much as panel size. A basement subpanel near the main equipment may cost $700-$1,500 when the feeder path is open and short. A garage installation in an attached structure may run $1,000-$2,500, while a detached garage with a long underground feeder commonly reaches $2,000-$4,500 or more.
| Example project | Scope | Estimated total | Assumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basement | 60 amps, 15-ft feeder, 8 circuits | $700-$1,500 | Open route, no service work |
| Attached garage | 100 amps, 35-ft feeder, 12 circuits | $1,200-$2,800 | Minor wall access |
| Detached workshop | 100 amps, 80-ft underground feeder | $2,500-$5,000 | Trenching and exterior conduit |
Permits and service upgrades can add separate charges
A subpanel does not automatically increase the home’s total electrical capacity. If the main panel, service conductors, or utility service cannot support the calculated load, an electrician may recommend a service upgrade. That separate work can add roughly $1,500-$5,000 or more, depending on equipment, utility coordination, and local requirements.
Permit charges often fall between $50 and $500, with inspections required in many jurisdictions. A project may also need grounding or bonding corrections, AFCI or GFCI protection for applicable circuits, or updates to older equipment. Ask the contractor to list these as separate possible charges instead of assuming they are included in the base bid.
Subpanel or new circuits from the main panel
Adding circuits directly to the main panel can cost less when the panel has spare capacity and circuit spaces. A new branch circuit often costs about $250-$900, depending on distance, wire route, and outlet or equipment requirements. Several circuits in a distant area may make a subpanel more practical by reducing separate long runs.
A subpanel is not a substitute for correcting an overloaded service or defective main panel. If the main panel has no room, an electrician can compare a subpanel with a panel replacement, tandem breakers where permitted, or a service upgrade. The least expensive compliant option depends on calculated load, panel condition, and local code.
Regional labor rates change electrician quotes
Labor and permit costs tend to be higher in dense, high-cost metro areas than in many rural markets. Quotes in major coastal cities may run 15%-30% above a national-style estimate, while rural areas can be 10%-20% lower when travel and limited contractor availability are not factors. These are broad planning differences, not fixed regional rates.
Travel charges, minimum service fees, and scheduling can narrow the gap. Request a written estimate that states the feeder length, panel amperage, included breakers, permit cost, and any drywall or trenching work. That detail makes it easier to compare prices without overlooking work that one bid excludes.