400 Amp Service Upgrade in Victoria, BC
A 400 amp service upgrade in Victoria gives larger homes the electrical capacity to run everything at once without tripping or overheating. This is the high-capacity tier, built for homes with suites or shops, multiple EV chargers, or a heat pump plus a hot tub plus a sauna all drawing at the same time. It is a bigger job than a standard 100A or 200A upgrade, and it has to be coordinated with BC Hydro and done to code. To talk through your home, call Grifflyn Electric at (778) 350-2677.
Technically reviewed by Carl Simard, Red Seal Certified Construction Electrician (SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification No. 00316-EW-26), and Behn Larsen, FSR Class B (Certificate # CEL000220404).
Most Victoria homes run fine on 200A. You are likely looking at 400A if you recognize a few of these:
When do you need a 400 amp service?
Your panel is full and you have no room to add circuits for new loads.
You are adding two or more EV chargers, or a charger plus other heavy loads.
You are electrifying the home: heat pump, induction range, hot tub, and sauna together.
The property has a secondary suite or a detached shop that needs its own service.
The home is large or custom built, with high simultaneous demand across the house.
An electrician has done a load calculation and your existing service cannot support the planned total.
You plan on running large machinery that draws a lot of power.
Why upgrade to 400 amp, and why it has to be done right.
Larger Bear Mountain and custom homes often carry loads that exceed what a 200A service can safely deliver.
Suites and detached shops add demand that a single standard service was never sized for.
Electrifying an older Victoria home stacks heat pump, EV, and appliance loads onto wiring that predates them.
A 400A upgrade involves a new meter base, service equipment, and often mast or trenching work, so it is more than a panel swap.
It requires coordination with BC Hydro for the larger service, plus an electrical permit and inspection.
Undersized or improperly installed high-amperage service is a severe safety and fire risk, which is why it should be installed by a licensed electrician.
Our 400 amp service upgrade process
We assess your current service and run a load calculation to confirm 400A is the right size for your home.
We give you upfront pricing based on your specific setup, including overhead versus underground and any mast or trenching work.
We pull the electrical permit and coordinate with BC Hydro for the upgraded service.
We install the new meter base, service equipment, and panel, and complete any mast or trenching required.
BC Hydro reconnects the upgraded service on the coordinated schedule.
The work is inspected and signed off, and we walk you through your new setup before we leave.
WHAT’S THE Cost of a 400 amp service upgrade in Victoria
A 400 amp service upgrade usually starts around $20,000 depending on the circumstances. The final figure depends on whether the service is overhead or underground, the meter base and service equipment, any mast or trenching work, and BC Hydro's requirements for your property. Because these vary so much, we treat it as a starting-from figure and give you an exact price after an on-site assessment. See our upfront pricing for how we quote larger jobs.
400 amp service upgrade: a recent metchosin project we did for a cabinetry business
PUT CARLS STUFF HERE
Why Victoria Homeowners Trust Grifflyn Electric
Lifetime warranty on workmanship — our labour is guaranteed for as long as you own your home
Up to 5-year warranty on parts
Technical Safety BC certified — Licence #LEL0209496
Red Seal certified electricians on every job
$5 million liability coverage
BBB A+ accredited
Top-rated electrical company on Google
Straightforward, upfront pricing — the first electrical company in greater Victoria to publish a standardized pricing catalogue, so you're never surprised
Full, expanded service department built to get you in fast
We answer the phone, 24/7
Panel replacement across Greater Victoria
Grifflyn Electric provides 400 amp service upgrades across the Greater Victoria area, including Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Colwood, Langford, and Sidney. For high-amperage work on large or custom homes, we coordinate with BC Hydro throughout the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
A 400 amp service upgrade usually starts around $20,000 depending on the circumstances. The final cost depends on overhead versus underground service, the meter base and service equipment, any mast or trenching, and BC Hydro's requirements. We give you an exact price after an on-site assessment.
-
A 200A service handles most homes. A 400A service roughly doubles the capacity for large or custom homes, properties with suites or shops, and homes with heavy simultaneous loads like multiple EV chargers plus a heat pump, hot tub, and sauna. A 400A upgrade also involves a new meter base and service equipment, not just a larger panel.
-
Not always. One EV charger usually fits within a 200A service after a load calculation. You may need 400A if you are adding two or more chargers, or a charger on top of other heavy loads. See our EV charger installation page for details.
-
Yes. A 400A service is large enough that BC Hydro is involved in approving and connecting the upgraded service. We handle that coordination, along with the electrical permit and inspection, as part of the job.
-
The on-site electrical work is often completed in a day or two, but the full timeline depends on BC Hydro scheduling, permit and inspection timing, and whether trenching or mast work is needed. We give you a realistic schedule with your quote.
-
That comes down to a load calculation for your home and your plans. If a standard upgrade covers you, our electrical service upgrade page covers the 100A and 200A tier. If your loads exceed that, 400A is the right call. We confirm the correct size before quoting.
Book your 400 amp service upgrade
To get an upfront price for a 400 amp service upgrade in Victoria, call Grifflyn Electric at (778) 350-2677 or submit the form below.