The average cost to replace an outside electrical meter box is $1,183
The cost of replacing an outside electrical box runs between $200 to $500 on average, though most homeowners will spend around $350. But if you own a large home with a 400-amp box, your replacement project could cost as much as $5,000. Your outside meter box connects your home to power from the utility company and tracks your home's electrical usage. You may need a replacement if your meter box is outdated, and the total cost mostly depends on the number of circuits the meter serves. Learn more about the costs involved in replacement.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $350 | $5,000 |
Replacing Outside Electrical Meter Boxes Cost Breakdown
An electrical meter box is an important component of most electrical systems—it holds the electrical meter, which measures the amount of energy your home uses. When planning to replace your electrical meter box, consider these cost factors that may impact your budget.
New Electrical Meter Box
The cost of the electrical meter box itself is usually around $50 to $500, but it varies based on the type of electric meter box, its strength (measured in amperes or amps), and its features.
100 amps: $50–$200
150 amps: $50–$200
200 amps: $100–$350
400 amps: $400–$600
Extra features might include fittings, connectors, and fasteners, which usually amount to less than $100.
How Many AMPs Does My House Need?
The amount of amps in your electric meter box will affect the total project cost. Typically, replacing a 100-amp electrical meter box ranges from around $500 to $1,500. 100-amp boxes are popular for smaller homes and are a necessary replacement when the current box can’t meet the home’s needs. In addition, as homes increase their demands—thanks to all of the new home technologies—they often need to upgrade.
Replacing a 150-amp box costs between $500 to $1,750. This is a common electrical meter box option for most homes across the country.
It’s more common for larger homes to have 200-amp and 400-amp electrical meter boxes. Replacing a 200-amp box usually costs between $750 and $2,000, while replacing a 400-amp box ranges from $1,500 to $5,000.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Replace Outside Electrical Meter Boxes?
There are various factors that influence the cost to replace your outside electrical meter boxes, and below are the major ones.
Panel Location
A home's electric meter is usually installed alongside the electrical panel box. Panels can be located in any part of the home, indoors or outside. Moving a panel outside requires complete rewiring throughout the house, which can cost $1,500 to $2,500. If your electrician has to access a panel in a hard-to-reach location, that can take extra time and add to your labor costs.
Age
If your electrical meter box is more than 10 years old, contains mercury, or doesn’t meet the upgraded requirements of your electrical code, you may need a full replacement. Newer digital boxes give a more accurate record of electrical usage down to the date and time. This lets you identify peak usage hours and find ways to cut back, ultimately saving you money.
Condition
The condition of your electrical meter box can impact whether or not replacement is necessary. A damaged meter box should be replaced not only so you can properly monitor your energy use, but also for the safety of your home. Replacing or upgrading your meter box could also help your system run more efficiently and lower your home energy costs.
AMPs
The amperage, or AMPs, of an electrical system will affect the meter size needed. While larger meters increase costs, they're also better suited to power larger homes. If you own an electric vehicle or have other high-energy needs, you either have or should upgrade to a system with an amperage of at least 200. Find common meter sizes and their average costs in the table below.
| Electrical Meter Box Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100-AMP Meter Box | $60 – $250 |
| 200-AMP Meter Box | $90 – $680 |
| 400-AMP Meter Box | $480 – $770 |
Materials Needed
In addition to the cost of the meter box itself, which typically runs between $50 and $200, you may need to pay for additional parts and materials for installation. This can include connectors, fittings, and fasteners, which usually cost less than $100 altogether.
Warranties
Often, popular brands offer warranties, which may increase the total cost of the meter box.
Permits
You’ll likely need to get a permit for any sort of electrical panel work, ranging in cost from $50 to $300. This is definitely not a step to skip—if you don’t have proper permits, you could run into issues such as costly fines.
Labor Fees
When hiring an electrician, you should expect to pay somewhere around $50 to $100 per hour, with the total labor price amounting to $200 to $2,000.
Additional Requests
Any additional labor requests will likely increase the total project cost. For example, people often request a subpanel, which is necessary when your main electric panel is full and you need more circuits. The cost to install a subpanel ranges from $400 to $1,750.
Additionally, some homeowners request a service entrance cable installed—these are electrical cables that bring in power to residential buildings and homes from electrical companies. The cost to install a service entrance cable is around $1,000 to $15,000 for overhead lines, but it can be up to $5,000 or more for underground lines.
Meter Costs by Part
Meter box replacement is typically part of a larger project that may involve adding or replacing several other parts of your electrical system.
Meter Box
The cost of a meter box unit alone is $50 to $250. You’ll find this lockable, weather-resistant box on the outside of a home. Expect to pay for between one and four hours of labor to have a meter box installed.
Breaker Switch
Replacing the breaker switch for an electrical system costs $150 to $200 on average, including both the switch itself and the labor to install it. This small switch sits inside your home's electrical panel and protects it from damage caused by overcurrent or a short circuit.
Subpanels
You'll pay between $400 and $1,750 per subpanel. These are typically installed near the main panel to increase your system's total amperage or add circuits. They're ideal when you need to distribute power to a specific area, such as a secondary building on your property. This can include workshops, detached garages, in-law suites, in-ground pools, and more.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
When considering the potential safety hazards, electrical meter box replacement is usually best left to a professional and licensed electrician. In addition to experience and knowledge of code requirements, they'll have insurance on hand if anything goes wrong.
However, in some situations, replacing your outside electrical meter box can be a DIY if you consider yourself to have advanced electrical skills. You’ll need to check with your city’s utility department for any project permits before proceeding.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Outside Electrical Meter Boxes Near You?
Your geographic location will affect the total cost to replace an outside electrical meter box, in addition to the specific features you request, the amount of circuits, and the complexity of the job.
Here are some typical ranges for the price to replace an outside electrical meter box:
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll want to replace your electrical meter box if your current system doesn’t hold the power needed or if you’re adding electrical systems to your home. Additionally, if your current system is over 25 years old, you should consider getting it replaced.
On average, it takes from four to eight hours to replace an outside electrical meter box, not including rewiring. It will take a few more hours if the project requires pros to do any rewiring work.
Replacing your electrical meter box is critical because it helps prevent damage to your home’s electrical system or possible safety hazards. Plus, you won’t have to deal with frequent power tripping, flickering lights, or the scorched scents that an old or damaged meter box may cause.
Some warning signs that your electrical meter box is overloaded include frequent circuit tripping, scorch or burn marks, and flickering lights. You may also notice a burning scent coming from the electrical panel. Keep in mind that a circuit breaker trips as a protection measure; it turns itself off to prevent potential fires.
