What price will you pay to replace your electrical panel?

Flickering lights, a buzzing electrical panel, or frequent circuit breaker trips caused by an overloaded electrical installation… If you have experienced these issues, it may be time to replace your electrical panel. But how much will it cost? ENGIE reviews all the expenses involved in replacing your electrical panel.

What are the direct costs of replacing an electrical panel?

Do you need to replace your electrical panel, the cabinet that gathers all the protective components of your home’s electrical network?

To do so, you can choose between two types of electrical panels:

• Pre-wired kits: in this case, the electrical panel includes a standard number of components. This option is suitable if your electrical installation has a conventional size;
• A bare electrical panel: in this case, the electrician selects the panel components according to the household’s electrical requirements. This option is recommended for more complex installations.

It is important to know that the number and category of modules required for an electrical installation are defined by the NF C15-100 standard, the main regulation governing residential electrical installations in France. They are generally represented by the number of rows in the electrical panel enclosure.

The price of the electrical enclosure partly depends on the number of modules, which itself depends on your needs and the size of your home. In addition, a few extra slots are usually planned in the panel to accommodate additional modules if needed.

Please note: these prices are indicative. The purchase budget for an electrical panel may vary depending on:

• The surface area and layout of your home (it may be necessary to install several electrical panels);
• The components selected;
• The initial condition of your electrical installation;
• The installation of home automation equipment;
• The brand of the electrical panel and the product range.

Electrical panel replacement: what are the indirect costs?

In addition to the cost of equipment, you must consider indirect costs. These have an impact on the overall cost of replacing an electrical panel. They mainly include labour costs, additional expenses related to renovation work, potential Consuel certification fees, and possible changes to your electricity subscription.

Labour costs for replacing an electrical panel

To completely replace your installation, an electrician usually needs between 2 and 6 hours of work. This represents between €100 and €300 in labour costs.

For a first-time installation, costs are generally lower because fewer working hours are required. Expect between €50 and €250.

Once again, these figures are averages. Several factors can influence labour costs:

• The electrician’s professional fees: prices are not regulated, so electricians can set their own rates depending on their experience, qualifications and reputation;

•  Travel expenses for the electrician;

• The region where your home is located: prices in Île-de-France are usually slightly higher than in other regions;

•  The complexity of the work, for example when the old panel must be removed beforehand.

Remember to request free quotes from at least three electricians in your area.

An additional tip from ENGIE: choose electricians who charge a flat fee rather than billing by the hour. This makes it easier to anticipate the real cost of the work.

Additional renovation work to consider

If you are replacing your electrical panel as part of upgrading an existing installation, you may need to carry out additional finishing work. These costs should be considered to anticipate the final bill.

What types of additional work are involved?

• Installing plasterboard cladding to integrate the electrical panel into a wall partition or to create a finished frame around the enclosure;
• Possible masonry work if wires are embedded in the wall or ceiling;
• Partial or complete replacement of your home’s electrical circuits as part of a full electrical renovation. This may be necessary if both the panel and the rest of the electrical installation are outdated and unsafe.

What about electricity subscription costs if the panel is modified?

If you replace your electrical panel, it may also be necessary to subscribe to a higher electrical capacity. ENGIE offers electricity contracts with different power levels so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. This is often the case when you replace your panel to expand your electrical installation in order to meet growing energy requirements.

A higher subscribed electrical capacity generally means a higher subscription price. This cost should therefore be taken into account.

Do you need to pay for a Consuel inspection?

If you carry out a complete electrical renovation and replace your panel as part of this work, the inspection and certification from Consuel (the French body responsible for verifying the compliance of electrical installations) is required.

This inspection typically costs around €120.

Electrical panel replacement: what is the total price?

If you plan to replace your electrical panel, you should take into account:

• The cost of materials;
• Labour costs for removing the old panel and installing the new one;
• All the additional expenses mentioned above.

On average, the total cost of replacing an electrical panel ranges from €450 to €2,000 including taxes.

Can you replace your electrical panel yourself to reduce costs?

The electrical panel is the central component of your home’s electrical system: all connections and electrical circuits originate from this cabinet. Replacing it is therefore complex and requires significant expertise.

In addition, the installation of an electrical panel must comply with the criteria defined in the NF C15-100 standard.

For these reasons, replacing an electrical panel should be entrusted to a qualified and experienced electrician. The reliability of your home’s electrical network and your personal safety depend on it. There is also a real risk of electric shock and potential damage to your electrical appliances if the replacement is not carried out properly.

However, to help households cover the costs associated with professional work when renovating an electrical panel, the French government has introduced indirect support measures. You may therefore benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 5.5% instead of 20%.

Explore the French version of this article