How much does a 200 amp panel upgrade cost in Burnaby?

A 200A panel upgrade in Burnaby typically runs $3,500 to $6,000 for a straightforward replacement where the service size is already 200A or close to it. If the job involves upgrading from a 100A service, relocating the meter base or panel, or dealing with an underground service lateral, expect $6,000 to $10,000 once BC Hydro's disconnect/reconnect fee (roughly $1,200 when charged separately) and any new service equipment are factored in.

What moves the price in Burnaby

The biggest variable is whether BC Hydro needs to change the service drop or transformer to support 200A. Many older Burnaby homes, particularly those built between the 1960s and 1980s in neighbourhoods like Metrotown, Edmonds and Burnaby Heights, still have 100A overhead services and fuse panels or early breaker panels. Pulling a larger service from the street adds cost and a separate Hydro scheduling step that can stretch the timeline by a week or two.

A second variable is what the electrician finds inside the walls. Burnaby has a significant stock of homes from the 1965 to 1976 period with aluminum branch wiring. If the existing panel has aluminum circuits terminating on standard breakers, a proper upgrade includes inspecting and re-terminating those connections with approved connectors or CO/ALR-rated devices. That work is priced separately and can add $2,500 to $8,000 depending on how many circuits are involved.

Panel location matters too. A panel in a finished basement or a tight utility room costs more to work around than one in an open garage. If the meter base is on the opposite side of the house from the panel, the feeder run adds materials and labour.

The permit for this job comes from the City of Burnaby, not Technical Safety BC. Burnaby runs its own electrical permit and inspection program. A licensed electrical contractor will pull the permit on your behalf; the fee is typically included in the quote, so confirm that explicitly. The work must pass a Burnaby electrical inspection before BC Hydro will reconnect the service.

A fair quote for a Burnaby panel upgrade should include the permit and inspection fee, all labour and materials, BC Hydro coordination, and a load calculation to confirm 200A is the right service size for your home. It should also spell out what happens to the price if aluminum wiring or knob-and-tube is discovered once the panel is open. Get two or three quotes and ask each contractor for their Technical Safety BC licence number and WorkSafeBC coverage confirmation before you commit, even though the permit here goes through Burnaby.

Want quotes on this? Vancouver Electrical Repair can match you with local Burnaby electricians for free.