Electrical Panel Installation Vancouver WA — 200 Amp Panel Upgrade & Subpanel Installation

Electrical panel installation in Vancouver WA typically costs $2,000 to $3,500 depending on the scope of work. A 200 amp panel upgrade runs $2,200 to $3,200, while a 400 amp panel installation costs $2,800 to $3,800. The cost to upgrade from 100 to 200 amp service depends on whether your meter base and service entrance also need replacement, which adds to the total. Crown Electric provides free written estimates that detail every cost before work begins — no surprises.

Most residential electrical panel installations take 4 to 8 hours. The full timeline includes: initial assessment and load calculation, permit acquisition through Washington L&I or the City of Vancouver (typically 1–3 business days), scheduling the utility shutoff with Clark Public Utilities, the installation itself (4–8 hours), and final inspection. Your power is off only during the actual panel swap — usually 4 to 6 hours. We complete most projects in a single day.

Consider a panel upgrade if your home has any of these signs: a Federal Pacific (FPE) or Zinsco panel (both are documented fire hazards), an outdated fuse box instead of circuit breakers, frequent breaker trips or blown fuses, a panel over 25 years old, or if you're adding high-draw equipment like an EV charger or heat pump. Many Clark County homes still run on 100 amp service, which is inadequate for modern electrical loads. We provide free assessments to determine if an upgrade is needed.

The cost to upgrade from 100 to 200 amp service in Vancouver WA typically ranges from $2,200 to $3,200. This includes the new 200 amp panel, main breaker, circuit breakers, service entrance cable, and potentially a new meter base. The exact cost depends on whether Clark Public Utilities needs to upgrade the service drop to your home and the condition of your existing electrical infrastructure. Our free estimate breaks down every line item so you know exactly what's included in your 200 amp panel upgrade cost.

All electrical panel installations in Clark County require an electrical work permit and inspection. Where you get the permit depends on your location: properties within Vancouver city limits obtain permits through the City of Vancouver building department. Properties in unincorporated Clark County, Battle Ground, Camas, and Ridgefield obtain permits through the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) at their office at 312 SE Stone Mill Drive in Vancouver. Crown Electric handles all permit applications and inspection scheduling as part of every project.

A 200 amp panel provides enough power for most modern homes — standard appliances, central HVAC, a single EV charger, and typical household circuits. A 400 amp panel is designed for larger homes (typically 3,000+ square feet), properties running multiple HVAC systems, homes with two or more EV chargers, large workshops, or properties with significant electrical loads. A 400 amp setup typically uses two 200 amp panels fed from a 400 amp meter base and service entrance. Our electricians perform a load calculation to recommend the right size for your specific needs.

Subpanel installation cost in Vancouver WA typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the subpanel size, distance from the main panel, and whether trenching is needed for outdoor subpanel installation. A 100 amp sub panel installation for a detached garage or ADU is on the higher end due to the feeder cable run. We size every subpanel to your specific electrical needs and ensure proper grounding and bonding per current NEC requirements.