Electrical Panel Replacement in Montreal and the South Shore

Your electrical panel is the heart of your house, it pumps electricity to every plug.

When your electrical panel is too small for your needs, outdated, or poorly organized, it can become a real problem.

Common signs that your electrical panel may need to be replaced include:

•Breakers that trip frequently •Not enough space to add an EV charger, pool, spa, or new circuits •Not enough amperage for the electrical load required •Fire risks caused by breakers that no longer protect properly, loose screws, or corroded connections •The high cost of adding circuits to an old panel compared to installing a newer panel. Breakers for older panels are often more expensive than modern breakers. That is why I wrote this short guide: to give you a clear overview of electrical panel replacement.

How much does an electrical panel replacement cost?

How much it costs is the first thing customers want to know. An electrical panel replacement usually costs between $1,000 and $3,000. The price depends mostly on where you live, the amperage of the panel, how many spaces are available in the panel, how many existing breakers need to be transferred, and how easy or difficult the work is. All of these factors affect the cost for the master electrician. When asking for a quote, ask your electrician what type of panel will be installed, how many spaces it will have, and whether tandem breakers will be used to save space. These are important questions for your project. Pricing by location In Montreal 100A and 125A electrical panel replacement Between $1,400 and $2,000 In many cases, we install a Siemens 100A or 125A panel with 24 or 32 spaces and a main breaker. This type of panel is often used for apartments. 150A electrical panel replacement Between $1,600 and $2,500 A Siemens 150A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is often used. This is usually the smallest panel size recommended for a house, but it can become tight depending on the load calculation. 200A electrical panel replacement Between $1,600 and $3,000 A Siemens 200A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is a common standard for houses. However, depending on the electrical loads, even a 200A panel may not always be enough. Electrical installations in Montreal are often more difficult because of parking, limited working space, and the age of the buildings. If you can clear the space around the panel and reserve a parking spot for the electrician, it can make the job easier and more efficient. In Brossard, Longueuil, and La Prairie 100A and 125A electrical panel replacement Between $1,200 and $1,800 In many cases, we install a Siemens 100A or 125A panel with 24 or 32 spaces and a main breaker. This type of panel is often used for apartments. 150A electrical panel replacement Between $1,400 and $2,000 A Siemens 150A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is often used. This is usually the smallest panel size recommended for a house, but it can become tight depending on the load calculation. 200A electrical panel replacement Between $1,500 and $2,300 A Siemens 200A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is a standard panel for houses. However, depending on the electrical loads, it may still be too small for some homes. In Brossard, Longueuil, and La Prairie, access is often easier because the electrician can usually park directly in the client’s driveway. However, the age of the building still needs to be considered, especially if there is aluminum wiring or several corrections to make inside the panel. In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Chambly 100A and 125A electrical panel replacement Between $1,000 and $1,600 In many cases, we install a Siemens 100A or 125A panel with 24 or 32 spaces and a main breaker. This type of panel is often used for apartments. 150A electrical panel replacement Between $1,300 and $2,000 A Siemens 150A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is often used. This is usually the smallest panel size recommended for a house, but it can become tight depending on the load calculation. 200A electrical panel replacement Between $1,500 and $2,200 A Siemens 200A panel with 32 or 40 spaces and a main breaker is a standard panel for houses. However, depending on the electrical loads, it may not always be enough. The complexity of the work can depend on the age of the building, whether there is aluminum wiring, whether some cables are too short, and whether junction boxes or corrections are needed inside the electrical panel.

Outdated electrical panels

Some electrical panel brands are known for being risky or outdated. When I see these panels, I usually recommend that the customer replace them when possible. Examples include: Stab-Lok Federal Pioneer / FPE Commander Sylvania These brands can be dangerous for your home and may increase the risk of fire. With Stab-Lok and FPE panels, some breakers may fail to trip during an overload. That means the circuit may no longer be properly protected, which can create a fire hazard. With some Sylvania panels, the breaker can overheat or melt onto the bus bar and fail to trip during an overload. Older Pushmatic panels and fuse panels should also be updated. Electrical installations that are 50 years old or older can present risks, and replacing them is strongly recommended. How to start the process of replacing your electrical panel Go to the electrical panel in your home or building. The goal is to collect a few important details: The amperage of the electrical service or panel The number of breakers The breaker list or panel directory The general location of the panel The available space around the panel Take a general photo of the panel showing where the work will be done. Then take close-up photos of the breakers so the electrician can read the amperage. Sometimes, the panel has a main breaker that protects the entire panel. It is usually larger than the other breakers and located at the top or bottom of the panel. It may say 100, 125, 150, or 200 amps. Take a photo of that breaker as well. If there is no main breaker, there may be a label on the panel cover showing the amperage, such as 125A or 200A. Sometimes the panel location is limited, and a smaller panel must be selected. In that case, take measurements of the existing panel and the available space. Send this information to your electrician so they can prepare a quote. In some cases, additional information may be needed, and the electrician may need to visit the site. By doing this, you make the process easier for the electrician and help them give you a more accurate estimate.

How an electrical panel replacement is done

The electrician usually arrives early in the morning with the tools and materials needed for the job. The power to the building is then shut off. There will be no power for several hours, so it is important to plan ahead. An electrical panel replacement can take several hours depending on the complexity of the job. In many cases, the work can take from around 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. After shutting off the power, the electrician removes the old panel and starts identifying all the existing cables. The new panel is then installed, and the main conductors coming from the meter are connected to feed the panel. One by one, the electrician reconnects the circuits while keeping the proper identification, amperage, and voltage for each circuit. Once everything is connected, the electrician verifies that the panel is properly labelled, restores power, and begins testing the circuits. Outlets and circuits are checked to make sure they are properly powered and at the correct voltage. When everything is working properly, the electrician cleans the work area and leaves the site. Electrical panel replacement services Berryman Électrique offers electrical panel replacement services in: Montreal Brossard Longueuil Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Chambly The South Shore It is our pleasure to offer professional electrical services and to provide high-quality workmanship for your home or building.