Typical ranges by scope
| Scope | Typical installed range | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like panel replacement | $2,000-$3,500 | Same amperage, modern breakers - the fix for aging or recalled panels |
| Service upgrade (100A to 200A) | $3,000-$4,500+ | Adds capacity for modern HVAC, EV charging, pool equipment |
| Panel + service entrance / mast work | $4,000-$6,500+ | When the meter base, riser, or feeder conductors also need replacement |
The FPE and Zinsco problem in older Houston neighborhoods
Homes built or wired from the 1950s through the 1980s - Scenic Woods, Oak Forest, Cypresswood, Lakewood Forest, and their peers - often still carry Federal Pacific Stab-Lok or Zinsco panels. Both are widely documented for breakers that fail to trip under fault conditions. That's not a cosmetic issue: a breaker that won't trip is a fire risk, and insurance carriers increasingly refuse or surcharge homes that still have one.
Why HVAC and panel decisions belong in one conversation
A new AC or heat pump changes your home's biggest electrical load. If the panel is marginal, the honest quote says so up front - not as a surprise charge on install day. Because Avatex holds both the HVAC license (TACLA #89729C) and the electrical license (TECL #34162), we evaluate both in one visit and one permit trip. Most HVAC-only companies must subcontract that work, and you pay the markup.
Before you decide, two pages worth a minute: Wisetack financing - soft-pull prequalification, no activation fee , and Free 2nd opinion on any quote you already have .