What it costs in the GTA
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 100A to 200A service upgrade, typical | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Upgrade that needs a new meter base and mast | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Panel replacement, same 200A service | $1,800–$3,200 |
| 200A to 400A service upgrade | $6,500–$12,000 |
| Level 2 EV charger install, panel has room (charger extra) | $800–$1,800 |
| Level 2 EV charger, all-in with charger and permit | $1,800–$3,500 |
| ESA permit and inspection | $200–$400 |
Before HST. Long wire runs to a detached garage, finished walls, underground service and a meter that has to move push prices up. Ranges where published GTA and Ontario sources overlap, checked November 2026. Not a quote.
Rebates, permits & rules
- Panel, service and EV charger work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, who files the ESA permit and books the inspection. Ask for their ECRA/ESA licence number.
- A service upgrade needs your local utility (Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Elexicon, Hydro One and others) to disconnect and reconnect power. Ask who books it and whether any utility fee is in the price.
- As of November 2026 there's no Ontario or federal rebate for a home EV charger: the federal residential stream was paused in January 2025. Toronto's Home Energy Loan Program can finance one.
- Signed the contract at your home? Ontario gives you 10 days to cancel most contracts signed there, for any reason.
What a complete quote includes
If any of these aren't on your quote, ask. Missing doesn't mean it's wrong, but it should be in writing.
- Load calculation showing whether you need a bigger service
- Panel brand, amperage and number of spaces
- New meter base, mast or service cable, if needed
- Utility disconnect and reconnect, and who books it
- ESA permit and inspection, and who pays for it
- EV charger: brand, model and amperage, or the circuit only if you supply the charger
- Wire run length and route to the charger location
- Drywall patching and cleanup
- Licensed Electrical Contractor number and warranty
- “You need 200 amps” with no load calculation
- No ESA permit mentioned, or a suggestion to skip it
- A panel upgrade sold for an EV charger without mentioning a load management device as an option
- No mention of the utility disconnect and reconnect
- Cash discount for no paperwork
- Many homes on 100-amp service can still add a Level 2 charger. A load calculation tells you.
- An EV energy management device can share power between the charger and other big loads and may avoid a service upgrade.
- Planning a heat pump, hot tub or basement suite as well? Size the upgrade for all of it at once.
- A full panel with no free spaces or an old fuse panel: replace it even at the same amperage.
- Signs of overheating, scorch marks or breakers that won't reset: get it checked now.
5 questions to ask before you sign
- Can I see the load calculation?
- Would a load management device let me skip the service upgrade?
- Who books the utility disconnect, and is that fee in your price?
- Will you file the ESA permit, and when is the inspection?
- What charger are you quoting, and at what amperage?
Paste your quote into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini with this prompt:
I'm a homeowner in [city], Ontario. Here is my electrical panel or EV charger quote: [paste]. List what it includes and leaves out (load calculation, panel and meter details, utility disconnect, ESA permit and inspection, charger model and amperage, wire run, patching, licensed electrical contractor, warranty), flag anything vague, and give me 5 questions to ask before I agree. Don't guess a fair price.
Or skip the copy-paste: our free Quote Checker already knows what a electrical panel & ev charger quote should include, and compares the price with real GTA ranges.
Common questions
How much does a 200-amp panel upgrade cost in Toronto?
Most 100A to 200A upgrades in the GTA run about $2,500–$4,500, including the ESA permit. A new meter base and mast can take it to about $5,500.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger at home in Ontario?
Installation usually runs about $800–$1,800 if your panel has room, plus the charger. All-in with the charger and permit, expect about $1,800–$3,500.
Do I need a 200-amp panel for an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation shows whether your current service can handle it, and a load management device can sometimes avoid the upgrade.
Is there a rebate for home EV chargers in Ontario?
As of November 2026, no provincial or federal rebate covers a home charger. Some local utilities run their own programs, and Toronto's Home Energy Loan Program offers financing.