How Much Does a 200-Amp Panel Upgrade Cost in Maryland? (2026)

A straight-up look at what a 200-amp panel upgrade actually costs across Maryland in 2026, based on quotes Pirro writes every week in Montgomery, Howard, Prince George's, Anne Arundel and Frederick counties.

Almost every homeowner shopping a panel upgrade in Maryland gets three quotes within a range of about $3,000. That is normal. Pricing beyond that range - either much lower or much higher - usually reflects a scope difference rather than a competitive difference. This guide walks through what a 200-amp upgrade actually includes, what moves the number up and down, and where 2026 pricing lands across the counties we work in most often.

Panel replacement vs. service upgrade - not the same job

The two terms get used interchangeably by homeowners and even by some contractors. They are not the same:

• Panel replacement - you already have 200A service coming into the house, and only the panel itself (bus, breakers, cabinet) is being replaced. Meter socket, service entrance conductors, and mast stay.
• Service upgrade - the incoming service is being enlarged, typically from 100A or 150A to 200A. That includes a new mast, new meter socket, new service entrance conductors, and coordination with the utility to swap the meter.

A service upgrade is roughly $1,200–$2,500 more than a panel-only replacement. Always ask which one you are being quoted.

What is included in a proper 200A panel job

• New 200A main breaker panel (Square D QO, Siemens, or Eaton - all acceptable; Pirro's default is Square D QO for parts availability across the DMV).
• New bus, new neutral and ground bars.
• Existing branch circuits re-terminated onto new breakers.
• AFCI/GFCI protection added on circuits that current code requires (bedrooms, kitchens, baths, laundry, exterior, garage).
• Whole-home surge protective device (SPD) - required by the 2020 and later NEC on service equipment replacements, and adopted throughout Maryland.
• New or verified grounding electrode conductor. Ground rod added if not already present or if bonding to water service is inadequate.
• Permit, rough and final inspection, utility coordination for the disconnect and reconnect.

2026 Maryland pricing by county

These are typical ranges from Pirro quotes in early 2026 for a straightforward same-location panel replacement (existing mast reused, no rewire, no relocation).

• Montgomery County - $3,200 to $4,800
• Howard County - $3,200 to $4,800
• Prince George's County - $3,100 to $4,700
• Anne Arundel County - $3,300 to $4,900
• Frederick County - $3,000 to $4,600

For a full 200A service upgrade (new mast, meter socket, and service entrance conductors) add $1,200 – $2,500. For a 400A service - increasingly common on larger homes, all-electric conversions, and homes adding a whole-home generator - expect $6,500 – $11,000 all-in.

What drives the price up

• Aluminum service entrance conductor that must be replaced (extra materials, extra labor).
• Panel relocation - moving it from an interior closet to an exterior wall, or from one wall to another, adds significant labor and often drywall coordination.
• Finished basement - pre-existing finished ceilings and walls slow the work and sometimes require access cuts.
• Old knob-and-tube branch circuits that surface during the swap and cannot be safely re-terminated as-is.
• Utility company scheduling - some jurisdictions and utilities require multi-day windows for the disconnect and reconnect.
• Aluminum branch wiring - if the panel is being replaced as part of a broader aluminum remediation project, scope changes substantially.

What can bring the price down

• Existing mast, meter socket, and grounding all in acceptable condition and reusable.
• Panel located in an unfinished basement, adjacent to the meter, with open access.
• No AFCI/GFCI retrofits needed beyond what the current code strictly requires at replacement.
• Coordination with other work - pairing a panel upgrade with a generator or EV charger install often lowers the marginal cost of each.

Permits and inspections

Every county in Maryland requires an electrical permit for panel work. Pirro pulls the permit - the homeowner should never be asked to pull it. Permit cost varies by county (typically $80–$225 in 2026) and is included in our quotes. Inspection is scheduled by us and coordinated for the same day as the utility reconnect when possible.

Red flags in quotes

• No permit line item - either it is not being pulled or you are being asked to pull it yourself.
• No surge device - required by current code on service equipment replacements.
• Hourly billing on a panel job - panel work is quoted flat. Hourly billing on a defined scope means the risk is being shifted to you.
• 'We'll re-use your existing breakers' - breakers are panel-specific. Reusing them across brands is not code-compliant.
• A quote that is 30%+ below the local range without a clear scope reason.

Where to go next