What is the cost to upgrade from 100 amp to 200 amp electrical service in New Brunswick?
What is the cost to upgrade from 100 amp to 200 amp electrical service in New Brunswick?
Upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp electrical service is one of the most common major electrical projects in New Brunswick. Many homes built before the 1990s — particularly in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, and older communities throughout the province — were originally wired with 100-amp service that simply can't keep up with modern electrical demands.
Why Upgrade?
A 100-amp service was adequate when homes had fewer electrical devices, smaller kitchens, and often relied on oil or wood heat. Today's New Brunswick homes commonly need capacity for:
- Electric baseboard heat (extremely common in NB — can consume 30–50 amps alone)
- Heat pump installation (NB Power actively promotes these with rebates)
- Level 2 EV charger (40 amps)
- Modern kitchen appliances (electric range, dishwasher, microwave on dedicated circuits)
- Home office equipment
- Hot tub (40–50 amps)
- Workshop tools
A single Level 2 EV charger plus a heat pump can push a 100-amp service past its safe capacity. With electric baseboard heat already drawing heavily, there's simply no room.
Cost Breakdown
| Component | Cost Range | Notes |
|-----------|-----------|-------|
| New 200-amp panel | $400–$800 | Square D, Eaton, or Siemens |
| New 200-amp meter base | $200–$400 | Often required — old 100A base won't accept 200A |
| Service entrance cable (SE) | $300–$600 | From weatherhead to meter to panel |
| New weatherhead and mast | $100–$300 | If existing mast is undersized |
| Ground rod and bonding | $100–$200 | Must meet current CEC requirements |
| AFCI breakers (bedrooms) | $150–$400 | Required by current CEC for bedroom circuits |
| Electrician labour | $1,200–$2,500 | Typically 1–2 full days |
| TSANB permit and inspection | $75–$200 | Mandatory |
| NB Power disconnect/reconnect | $0–$500 | Varies; sometimes free, sometimes a service charge |
| Total | $2,500–$5,500 | Most jobs fall in the $3,000–$4,500 range |
What Affects the Price
Panel location: If your panel is in the basement directly below the meter (the most common layout in NB homes), the service entrance cable run is short and straightforward. If the panel is on the opposite side of the house from the meter, or in an awkward location, cable routing adds cost.
Meter base condition: Many 100-amp installations in NB use older meter bases that aren't compatible with 200-amp service. Replacing the meter base adds $200–$400 in parts and requires NB Power to pull and reseat the meter.
Service mast and weatherhead: The overhead service entrance — the metal pipe (mast) and curved fitting (weatherhead) where NB Power's lines connect to your home — may need upsizing. A 100-amp service typically uses 1.5-inch conduit; 200-amp requires 2-inch or larger. If the mast is rusted, bent, or undersized, it must be replaced. Cost: $100–$300.
Number of circuits: A straightforward panel swap reconnects existing circuits to new breakers. But many homeowners use the upgrade as an opportunity to add circuits (dedicated EV charger circuit, workshop circuit, etc.), which increases the scope and cost. Each additional circuit adds roughly $200–$400.
Grounding requirements: Current CEC standards often require upgraded grounding compared to what was originally installed. This may include new ground rods, bonding of water pipes, and a properly sized grounding electrode conductor. If your existing grounding is inadequate (common in pre-1980s NB homes), bringing it to code adds $100–$300.
Location in NB: Electricians in urban centres (Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John) typically charge $85–$120/hour. In rural areas, hourly rates are similar but travel charges of $50–$200 may apply. The total project cost in Campbellton or Edmundston might be $200–$500 more than in Moncton simply due to travel.
The Process Step by Step
- NB Power disconnects service (you'll be without power)
- Electrician removes old panel, meter base, and service entrance cable
- New meter base, service entrance cable, panel, and weatherhead are installed
- All existing circuits are reconnected to new breakers
- Grounding is upgraded as needed
- AFCI breakers installed on bedroom circuits (current CEC requirement)
Total timeline: From initial call to power restored, expect 3–6 weeks — mostly due to scheduling with NB Power and TSANB, not the actual work.
What You Get With 200-Amp Service
A 200-amp panel provides 48,000 watts of total capacity at 240V — roughly double the 24,000 watts of a 100-amp service. This provides ample room for:
- All existing household circuits
- Electric baseboard heat for the entire home
- Heat pump (even two zones)
- Level 2 EV charger
- Electric range, dryer, water heater
- Workshop sub-panel
- Future additions without running out of capacity
Can You Skip Straight to 400 Amps?
400-amp residential service is rare and expensive in New Brunswick — typically $8,000–$15,000 — and involves either a single 400-amp panel (uncommon) or dual 200-amp panels. It's only justified for very large homes (3,500+ sq ft) with extensive all-electric systems, multiple EV chargers, large workshops, or heated outbuildings. For 95% of NB homeowners, 200 amps is more than sufficient for current and foreseeable future needs.
Financing and Rebates
Check current NB Power programs — they have offered rebates for electrical upgrades that support energy-efficient equipment installation (like heat pumps). The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant program has also covered portions of electrical upgrades when they're part of an energy efficiency improvement package. Some NB electricians offer financing through third-party providers for panel upgrades — ask when getting quotes.
Red Flags When Getting Quotes
- Quote significantly below $2,500: Cutting corners somewhere — possibly reusing an inadequate meter base, skipping AFCI breakers, or not planning to pull a TSANB permit
- No mention of TSANB permit: This work absolutely requires a permit. Any electrician who doesn't include it is either planning to skip it (illegal) or hasn't thought through the scope
- "We don't need to involve NB Power": NB Power MUST disconnect and reconnect the service. There is no safe workaround
- No written quote: Always get the scope and price in writing before work begins
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