A 100-amp to 200-amp upgrade in Orlando typically costs $1,500–$4,500, permit and inspection included. It gives your home a larger main breaker, a new panel with more slots and, where needed, heavier wires from the meter.
Do I actually need 200 amps?
You need it when your home's combined demand gets close to what 100 amps can supply, and adding breakers can't solve that. Slots and amps are different problems. A full panel is a space problem. Lights dimming when the AC kicks on while the dryer runs is more likely a power one.
| Your situation | Likely answer |
|---|---|
| Small home, gas appliances, no new loads | 100 amps may be fine |
| Adding an EV charger only | Get a load check first. It may fit |
| EV charger plus pool, hot tub or addition | 200 amps is a strong candidate |
| All-electric house on 100 amps | Worth pricing now |
A load check is the honest test. The electrician adds up what your home draws, including the big things you plan to add, and compares it with your service.
What changes from 100 to 200 amps?
More than the box on the wall. A true upgrade brings more power in, so the parts on the way count too:
- Panel and main breaker. Rated for 200 amps, with room for more circuits.
- Service wires to the panel. Thicker conductors, if the existing ones are too small.
- Meter socket and mast. Replaced if they are not rated for it. A 200-amp socket may already be there, which is a nice surprise.
- The utility's side. Utilities generally own their line and meter, so yours may have work to do at its end.
Who is involved in a service upgrade around Orlando?
Usually three parties: the electrician, your building department and your electric utility. The details change by address.
| Where | What is on record |
|---|---|
| Orlando | The city's electrical permit form has a Change of Service work type, and OUC takes upgrade requests through an online form |
| Kissimmee | KUA's service requirements say new and replacement equipment must pass inspection before KUA will energize it |
| Maitland | Like-for-like panel and meter box change-outs sit on the streamlined permit list. Raising capacity may fall outside that, so ask |
For how each city words its permit rules, read the permit guide.
How much more does 200 amps cost than a straight swap?
Local electricians mostly price by scope, not amperage, which is why the meter and mast matter more than the number on the breaker. Reuse the existing meter socket and you sit low in $1,500–$4,500. Replace it and you move toward $4,500. See the tiers in the panel upgrade cost guide.
Should I upgrade before installing an EV charger?
Only if the load check says so. See EV charger installation. Replacing a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel anyway? Price the bigger size too. Ready for a number? Get your price. It works across all our service areas, and permit details differ, as in Maitland, Apopka and Lake Mary.
Still weighing it up? How many amps does my house need? walks through the sizing.
Common questions
How do I know what size service I have now?
The main breaker usually has its amp rating printed on the handle, often at the top of the panel. A 100 on that handle usually means 100-amp service. An electrician confirms it at the meter and the wires coming in, since the panel alone does not settle it.
Does every EV charger need a 200-amp panel?
No. Some 100-amp homes can take a charger, depending on what else is running. Ask for a load check before you pay for an upgrade. A Wall Connector can also be set to a lower amperage to fit what you have.
