Electrical Panel Upgrade & Replacement in Ottawa

A standard 200-amp panel upgrade in Ottawa runs $2,800 to $3,200 when the existing service entrance is adequate. If a full service upgrade is needed with a new meter base and service entrance, cost runs $3,600 to $4,200. The final price depends on the condition of your service entrance, the number of circuits, and whether grounding upgrades are needed to meet current code. Homes in older Ottawa neighbourhoods like Centretown and Vanier sometimes need additional grounding work that newer homes in Kanata or Orleans don't require. We give you a written price after assessing the job, before any work starts.

Many insurers in Ontario flag Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and other problem panel brands as a condition of coverage. They may also flag panels under 100 amps or homes with knob and tube or aluminum wiring. Some insurers require documentation showing your electrical system meets current Ontario codes before they'll issue or renew a policy. We can assess your panel and provide documentation showing the work meets ESA standards after the upgrade. If you're buying a home in Ottawa's older neighbourhoods, the home inspector's report often flags panel issues that insurers will require you to address. Contact us to arrange an assessment.

Most panel upgrades complete in one day with power restored by evening. Power is typically off for six to eight hours during installation while we remove the old panel, install the new one, reconnect circuits, and test every connection. Simple upgrades in newer Ottawa homes can be faster. Complex ones involving service entrance work or homes with knob and tube wiring in neighbourhoods like Hintonburg or Manor Park may take two days. We tell you the expected duration before we start so you can plan accordingly.

Yes, power is off for the duration of the installation, typically six to eight hours. Hydro Ottawa disconnects the meter at the start of the job and reconnects it after the ESA inspection is complete. Plan to be without power for the day. Refrigerators and freezers will stay cold for several hours if you keep the doors closed. If you work from home or need power for medical equipment, arrange to be elsewhere for the day or use a backup generator.

The vast majority of electrical work in Ontario requires notification to the ESA, though not always a formal permit. Panel upgrades typically require ESA notification and inspection. We handle all the paperwork and scheduling with the ESA. You don't need to contact anyone or track any deadlines. Our electricians work under the ECRA/ESA master electrician licence, which authorises us to complete this work and arrange inspections directly with the ESA. Most Ottawa homeowners don't need to think about permits at all. It's part of how we manage every job from start to finish.

Breakers that trip frequently, especially when running normal loads, indicate an overloaded or failing panel. Burn marks, melted plastic, or a burning smell near the panel are serious safety issues requiring immediate replacement. If your panel is a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or other recalled brand, replace it regardless of condition. Homes with 60-amp or 100-amp panels often need upgrades to handle modern electrical loads, especially if you're adding an EV charger, hot tub, or renovating. In Ottawa's older homes, panels installed before 1990 may not have proper grounding or enough capacity for today's electrical demands.

It depends on your panel's current capacity and the load you're adding. If your panel has available breaker slots and enough total amperage, we can add circuits without a full upgrade. Most 100-amp panels in Ottawa homes can't handle an EV charger or hot tub in addition to existing loads. We assess your current electrical load and panel capacity before recommending whether you need a full upgrade or can work within your existing panel.

Yes, a 200-amp panel can handle an EV charger, hot tub, and typical household loads. An EV charger draws 30 to 50 amps depending on the model. A hot tub draws 40 to 60 amps. Most Ottawa homes use 80 to 120 amps for household circuits, heating, and appliances. A 200-amp panel provides enough capacity for all of these together. If you're adding both an EV charger and a hot tub to a home that currently has a 100-amp panel, a 200-amp upgrade is the standard solution.