Electric panel upgrade?

[MGE]

Those prices that you have been quoted seem high to me. When I had my business running here in SD (IBEW Union shop 96-2012) Typical cost to upgrade a panel was around $1,500. Thats for a 200 amp panel. If your existing panel is 60amps increase it to the 200a the price will be about the same as a 100a. Same labor cost just a bit more for the materials. Good luck.

[inetdog]

It is normal to have to do a panel upgrade, especially on an older construction house. And based on your description, the old panel is one which is just one generation removed from screw in fuses. It would be a good idea to replace that anyway.
And, considering permit fees and other overhead expenses, $2-3000 is not unreasonable. Painful, but not unreasonable.

As some small consolation, you should be able to roll that expense into the installation cost for a tax credit, so better now than separately.

[nomadh]

I've been told by a few people now that I'll probably need this. The problem is I'm hearing its $2200 to maybe $2700. Have many people in homes from the 60's needed to do this. I'm being quoted systems from 5700 to 6700 watt DC. My panel is an old pushbutton breaker system possibly with a 100 main but so far no one seems sure its so old and odd. Is it normal to upgrade and should it cost so much?