When a panel upgrade makes sense
Most houses in Toronto built before the 1980s left the factory with a 60- or 100-amp service. That was plenty for lights, a fridge and a gas furnace. It isn't for a Level 2 EV charger, a cold-climate heat pump and an induction range running at the same time.
- You're adding an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub or basement suite
- Your panel is full — no space for new breakers, or tandem breakers everywhere
- You still have a fuse panel or a recalled breaker brand
- Breakers trip when the dryer and A/C run together
- Your insurer or home inspector flagged the panel
- You see scorch marks, buzzing, or a panel that feels warm
Not sure you need 200 A? Sometimes you don't. An energy management system can let an EV charger share capacity with the rest of the house. Try the load meter for a rough read, and we'll do the real calculation on site.
What's included
A proper service upgrade is more than a new grey box. Depending on what's on the wall now, the job can include:
- New 200 A main panel with a full set of spaces (we size it so you're not out of room in five years)
- New meter base and service mast or underground service entrance, if required by your utility
- Upsized service conductors and a new grounding and bonding system
- Re-terminating every existing circuit, adding AFCI or GFCI protection where the code now requires it
- A typed, labelled panel directory
- The ESA permit, the utility disconnect/reconnect request and the final inspection
How the day goes
We book the disconnect with your utility — Toronto Hydro in the city, Alectra across most of the 905, Oakville Hydro in Oakville. On the day, power goes off in the morning. We swap the service and panel, re-terminate and test every circuit, and ESA issues the connection authorization so the utility can restore power. In most homes the lights are back on before dinner.
If your utility needs to upgrade its side of the connection (a larger overhead drop or a new underground lateral), the timeline depends on them — we tell you up front when that's likely.
What it costs
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 100 A → 200 A, panel and meter base in same location | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| Includes new mast / service entrance or panel relocation | $5,500 – $8,000 |
| Fuse panel replacement (keeping 100 A) | $2,000 – $3,200 |
| Sub-panel for a basement, garage or addition | $1,200 – $2,500 |
For a deeper breakdown — what pushes a quote up, and how to compare two quotes fairly — read our guide to panel upgrade costs in Ontario.
Panel upgrades by city
Toronto · Etobicoke · North York · Scarborough · East York · Mississauga · Brampton · Vaughan · Thornhill · Markham · Richmond Hill · Aurora · Newmarket · Pickering · Ajax · Whitby · Oshawa · Oakville · Burlington · Milton
Questions
How long does a 200 amp upgrade take?
Usually one day on site, with power off for roughly four to eight hours. Booking the utility disconnect typically takes one to three weeks, so plan ahead if you're timing it with an EV delivery or a renovation.
Do I need a permit for a panel upgrade in Ontario?
Yes. A service or panel change needs an ESA notification and inspection, and your utility won't reconnect a new service without ESA's connection authorization. We file and book everything.
Can I add an EV charger without upgrading my panel?
Often, yes. An EV energy management system (EVEMS) monitors your home's load and throttles the charger when needed, which the Ontario Electrical Safety Code allows instead of a full upgrade. Whether it fits depends on your existing load.
Will my lights and outlets work the same after?
Yes — every existing circuit is re-terminated in the new panel. Some circuits will gain AFCI or GFCI protection if the current code requires it, which can occasionally reveal an existing wiring fault. If so, we find it and fix it.