Panel and service upgrade
Electrical panel upgrade in Montreal
Most people upgrade a panel because someone made them: the insurer wants the fuse box gone, or the heat pump installer says there’s no room. Here’s what the job looks like and what it costs.
Panel or full service upgrade?
Swapping the panel alone keeps your existing service, usually 100 amps. A service upgrade replaces everything from the weatherhead down: mast, cable, meter base and panel, and gets you to 200 amps. If you’re adding an EV charger or a heat pump to an all-electric house, the electrician will run a load calculation before recommending either. Ask for it if nobody mentions it.
Hydro-Québec handles the wires from the pole to your house and the meter itself. Everything after that point is yours. For a service upgrade, your electrician books a disconnect with Hydro-Québec, does the work, and Hydro-Québec reconnects. Lead time ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on the season.
2026 price ranges, before tax
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Fuse box to breaker panel, same amperage | $2,000 to $3,200 |
| New 100 amp panel replacing an old one | $1,800 to $3,000 |
| Full 200 amp overhead service with panel | $3,500 to $6,000 |
| Duplex or triplex with several meters | quoted on site, often $6,000+ |
Grouping jobs saves money. If an EV charger is on next year’s list, say so now and have the circuit planned with the panel.