How long does a 200 amp panel upgrade take to complete?

A typical 200 amp panel upgrade in a GTA home takes one full day, usually six to ten hours of on-site work, though the total timeline from permit to final inspection can stretch to two or three weeks. The actual electrical work is usually completed in a single visit, but the process involves more than just swapping equipment.

The timeline starts before your electrician ever picks up a tool. They will need to apply for an ESA permit, which can be done online and is usually issued within a day or two. If your service entrance cable and meter base also need replacement to support the full 200 amp capacity, your electrician will coordinate with Toronto Hydro to schedule a temporary disconnect. Toronto Hydro typically requires five to ten business days' notice for a planned disconnect, and this scheduling step is often the longest part of the process. During peak summer months when panel upgrades and EV charger installations are in high demand, Toronto Hydro wait times can stretch even longer.

On the day of the upgrade, your electrician will shut off power to your home, remove the old panel, install the new 200 amp panel, reconnect all existing circuits, label everything clearly, and restore power. If the meter base and service entrance cable are also being replaced, the work may extend into a second day. Homes built before 1975 in neighbourhoods like Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke often have undersized service entrance cables that cannot carry 200 amps, meaning the cable from the meter to the panel must be upgraded as well. This adds two to four hours to the job.

After the work is complete, your electrician notifies the ESA for inspection. In the GTA, ESA inspectors typically schedule visits within three to seven business days, though during busy periods this can take up to two weeks. You can use your electrical system normally while waiting for inspection. The total cost for a full 200 amp upgrade in the GTA runs $2,000 to $5,000, with the higher end reflecting homes that need a complete service entrance replacement. If you are planning a panel upgrade, Toronto Electrical Repair can match you with a licensed electrician for free to assess your specific situation and provide a detailed quote.