I told myself if I ever built a home I would make sure this wasn't ever an issue. Perhaps this is partially my past bubbling up to haunt me, but growing up, we would turn on the toaster in the kitchen, and if someone was drying their hair in the bathroom, the breaker would trip (super old home, probably 1930s or older). With modern appliances having ever more electrical load needs, it only makes sense for me to do a 200 amp panel so we don't have any load problems. In fact, I've never seen recommended anywhere to have anything less than a 200 amp panel for any home over 2500 sq ft. I admit I'm no professional, not an electrician, but in all the reading, research, and estimates I've put together, including comprehensive load calculations, everything points to needing a 200-amp main service panel. This wire size can handle up to 100 amps. In this case, due to 150 feet distance, both of these wires have a too low amperage. 6 AWG wire can handle 65 amps, 4 AWG wire can handle 85 amps. The subcontractor I'm going with for electrical has recommended a 150 amp panel. This means that a wire for a 60 amp sub-panel 150 feet away must handle at least 97.5 amps. Here is what Steve had to say: 'I put in a 100A box in the new shop, but am only feeding it from a 50A breaker in the main panel from the house service. Steve purchased our 6 AWG THHN/THWN Copper Building Wire for his project. In some places, you might end up paying more than 4,500 or less than 3,500. Nevertheless, thatвЂ™s the national average. Despite that, the national average cost is between 3,500 and 4,500. I am in the process of building a 4100 sq ft home. The main difference between the 100 amp vs 200 amp electrical panels is that the latter is larger in size. Steve needed to run 50 amp service from his main panel in his home to a 100 amp breaker box (shown below) in his new shop. In the United States, the cost of upgrading to a 200-amp service depends on numerous factors.