Like most things in life, fuse boxes don’t last forever, so if you live in a home with a fuse box for long enough, you’ll likely need to replace it sooner or later. But even if your fuse box is in good working order, you might consider replacing it anyway since circuit breakers are much better at handling the electricity needs of modern homes than fuse boxes. They also tend to last much longer.
Learn everything you need to know about fuse box replacement costs based on factors like location, amperage and whether you want to install additional outlets or subpanels.
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Average Cost of a Fuse Box Replacement
Average Cost of a Fuse Box Replacement | |
---|---|
Average Cost | $1,100 |
Highest Cost | $2,000 |
Lowest Cost | $400 |
Fuse box replacement costs usually range from $400 to $2,000, but most homeowners will pay around $1,100, which includes the cost of parts and labor. However, several factors can drive costs up beyond that range. For instance, if you need to install a new subpanel to accommodate new electrical connections, you’ll likely need to pay an additional $400 to $1,800, depending on the amperage.
What Is a Fuse Box?
Fuse boxes are electrical panels comprising fuses that distribute electricity throughout your home. However, when many people say “fuse box” they’re actually referring to their circuit breaker. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re slightly different in that circuit breakers have switches instead of fuses.
Fuse boxes and circuit breakers both serve the same function—to distribute electricity through your home. However, fuse boxes are an older electricity solution that often can’t handle the amount of electrical activity in modern homes, so many people choose to replace their fuse box with a circuit breaker.
How Do You Replace a Fuse Box?
Since fuse boxes and circuit breakers handle your home’s electricity, it’s best to leave this job to a licensed electrician. An electrician will be familiar with your region’s local codes and regulations, and they can ensure proper and safe installation. Improper electrical panel replacements can lead to electrical hazards—and even house fires.
However, for a professional, the process is typically pretty straightforward. They’ll simply remove your existing fuse box and install a new one in its place.
Fuse Box Replacement Parts Cost
Fuse boxes and circuit breakers are composed of several parts, including wiring and fuses or switches. If you simply blew a fuse, you likely don’t need to replace the whole box; all you need to replace is the fuse itself. Individual fuses typically range from $3 to $10 per fuse. If you have a circuit breaker that needs a switch replacement, you can expect to pay around $5 to $15 per switch.
If you need to replace the whole fuse box or circuit breaker, you’ll likely pay between $20 and $110 for it depending on the type, quality and amperage.
Fuse Box Replacement Labor Cost
Electricians typically charge $40 to $120 per hour, or around $80 on average. it usually takes 4 to 8 hours to replace a fuse box, so average total labor costs usually fall between $320 and $960.
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Factors That Affect Fuse Box Replacement Costs
Several factors affect the cost to replace a fuse box, including the location of the box inside your home, as well as the fuse box’s amperage and type.
Amperage
Amperage is among the biggest factors affecting electrical panel replacement costs. Generally, the more amperage a box offers, the more you can expect to pay. Most homes can function well on 150 or 200 amps, but very large homes with lots of appliances might require 400 amps, while smaller homes might only need 100.
AMPS | COST RANGE |
---|---|
100 amps | $100 – $200 |
150 amps | $150 – $250 |
200 amps | $250 – $350 |
400 amps | $400 – $550 |
Type
The type of circuit breaker you get to replace your fuse box also affects costs, but you can expect to pay between $10 and $100.
- Standard circuit breakers: Standard circuit breakers, which cater to most homes, usually only cost around $10.
- Ground fault circuit interrupter breakers: Ground fault circuit interrupter breakers, often called GFCI breakers, cost between $30 and $100. GFCI breakers help prevent electric shocks if water makes its way into the box.
- Arc fault circuit interrupter breakers: Certain municipalities require arc fault circuit interrupter breakers. These breakers also cost between $30 and $100, and they can help detect various arcing electrical faults to prevent fires.
Location
Fuse boxes are found in any number of areas in the home, from outside in a waterproof box to inside the basem*nt, attic or other room. Generally, the easier it is for a pro to access your fuse box and the connected wiring, the less you’ll need to pay since electricians charge by the hour and tough-to-reach areas can take longer to access and work in.
Relocation
Speaking of location, if you want to relocate your fuse box to somewhere else in the house or outside, it will drive up your fuse box replacement costs. Relocating a fuse box or circuit breaker typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on factors like your home’s size, the accessibility of the new location and whether your box will also serve as a circuit junction.
Permits
Most regions require you to obtain a permit to replace your fuse box. Permits can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on your location. Many electricians will get the permit on your behalf and include the cost in your estimate.
Trenching
In some cases, homeowners want to bury the overhead electrical line that connects to the new breaker. This is a relatively extensive process that requires a professional excavator in addition to an electrician. Trenching typically costs $6 per linear foot.
Rewiring
Sometimes an electrician will need to replace all or some of your old wiring to ensure a safe fuse box replacement. Replacement wiring usually costs $6 per linear foot.
Additional Outlets
If you’ve been wanting to add new outlets to your home, you can often save money in labor costs by having the new outlets installed when you replace your fuse box since an electrician will already be in your home. Depending on the outlet’s wiring and location, new outlets usually cost between $100 and $200 on average.
New Subpanel
Fuse boxes and circuit breakers can only hold so many fuses and switches. In some cases, you’ll need to add a subpanel to accommodate new electrical connections and their associated fuse or circuit. Subpanels usually range from $400 to $1,800. Subpanels with high amperage and many circuits will cost the higher end of that range, while lower amperage subpanels with few circuits will fall closer to $400.
Electric Meter Replacement
Electric meters are installed in weatherproof boxes outside the home and they measure the amount of electricity you’re using. If you add a new subpanel during your fuse box replacement, you probably need a new electric meter as well. Electric meters usually cost between $100 and $700, including labor and materials.
Fuse Box Maintenance Costs
If your fuse box is in good working order, the ongoing maintenance is minimal. Usually, it only requires replacing a fuse if it blows, which is something most homeowners can do themselves and usually costs between $3 and $10.
Fuse Box Pros and Cons
Fuse boxes aren’t nearly as common as they were when they were first installed in the 1960s. That’s because they often can’t handle the amount of electricity modern homes use on a daily basis. In fact, many municipalities require homeowners to replace their old fuse box with a circuit breaker to meet electrical safety codes. However, fuse boxes do have some advantages in terms of simplicity and affordability.
Pros
- Affordable
- Low maintenance
- Fuses are simple and easy to replace
Cons
- Often can’t handle the electrical needs of modern homes
- Incorrect voltage can lead to fires
- Insurance companies might not cover homes with fuse boxes since they increase fire risks
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THIS IS AN ADVERTIsem*nT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisem*nt, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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DIY Fuse Box Replacement vs. Hiring a Professional
Given that this is an electrical project, we strongly recommend consulting an electrician or general contractor before starting this project.
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of providers on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take an electrician to replace a fuse box?
It usually takes an electrician between four and eight hours to replace a fuse box. If your box is located in a hard-to-reach area or you need new wiring or outlets, it will likely take closer to eight hours. But basic replacements in accessible areas usually take around four hours.
Can you sell a house with an old fuse box?
Yes, you can sell a house with an old fuse box. However, fuse boxes, especially old ones, are off-putting to many potential buyers since they’re often not capable of handling the electrical needs of modern homes and appliances.
Who is responsible for electric fuse box maintenance?
The homeowner is typically responsible for basic electric fuse box maintenance. Fortunately, maintenance is pretty easy since it usually only involves replacing a blown fuse every now and then.
Do insurance companies insure homes with fuse boxes?
The answer depends on your insurance company and individual policy. Some insurance companies won’t cover homes with fuse boxes since they can increase fire risks, while others increase rates for homeowners with a fuse box. It’s always best to reach out to your insurance provider for answers on this one.
How do you know if a fuse is blown?
The first sign of a blown fuse is usually the loss of electricity in some area of your home. If your power goes out, you can check the fuse box for any fuses that look charred, cracked or unlike others of a similar type. These are good indicators that the fuse needs replacement.