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Electric All Pro Electrician
Last updated: November 2026
Meter Base Replacement

Meter Base Replacement in Raleigh, NC

Rusted, burned or loose meter bases, masts and weatherheads replaced, with the permit, the inspection and the Duke Energy shutoff and reconnect handled for you.

Meter Base Replacement $1,238–$1,647 Inspection included. With a new service mast and weatherhead $1,286–$2,043; a meter main combo $2,487–$3,562. We coordinate the shutoff and reconnect with Duke Energy. Installation estimates are free. 5.0 (185+ Google reviews) Licensed & Insured NC License L.32531
  • Permit and city inspection
  • Shutoff and reconnect coordinated with Duke Energy
  • Mast and weatherhead when needed
New meter socket open on siding with red and black service conductors on the jaws and the neutral landed, by Electric All Pro
Duke Energy CoordinatedShutoff and reconnect scheduled for you.

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Tell us what is wrong with your meter base. We’ll call you back with your price.

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Cost Overview

Meter Base Replacement Pricing Guidance

Meter base replacement in Raleigh, NC is priced after a free installation estimate, with the price in writing before any work.

Done together with a panel upgrade: $5,476–$6,538. Installation estimates are free, with the price in writing before any work.

A full panel upgrade or 200 amp service upgrade is on our panel upgrade page.

Free Installation Estimate
Meter Base Replacement

Is It Your Meter Base or Duke Energy’s?

The meter is Duke Energy’s, but the equipment it plugs into on your home is yours.

Duke Energy’s Part

  • The meter
  • The service wires to the house (service drop)

Your Part (you own it)

  • Meter base (the socket)
  • Service mast and weatherhead
  • Wires from the meter base into the panel
Weatherhead Service mast Meter (Duke’s) Meter base Panel Service drop (Duke’s)

Signs It Needs Replacing

  • Rust or water inside
  • Base pulling away from the wall
  • Leaning or broken mast
  • Burned or melted meter jaws
  • Lights flicker or power drops in and out
  • Storm or tree damage
  • Duke asking for a repair before reconnecting
What Each Party OwnsDuke owns the meter and service wires. You own the meter base, mast, weatherhead and wiring.

Duke Energy: the meter; the service wires to the house (service drop).

You: meter base (the socket); service mast and weatherhead; wires from the meter base into the panel.

Signs It Needs ReplacingRust, water, pulling away, a leaning mast, melted jaws, flicker, storm damage or a Duke request.
  • Rust or water inside
  • Base pulling away from the wall
  • Leaning or broken mast
  • Burned or melted meter jaws
  • Lights flicker or power drops in and out
  • Storm or tree damage
  • Duke asking for a repair before reconnecting

Every price includes the inspection. Done together with a panel upgrade: $5,476–$6,538. Installation estimates are free, with the price in writing before any work.

Meter Base Replacement Overview

The meter base is the box on the outside of your home that the electric meter plugs into. Duke Energy owns the meter and the service wires coming to the house; the meter base, the service mast and weatherhead, and the wires from the meter base into your panel are yours. When the meter base rusts, pulls away from the wall or its jaws burn, we replace it: we pull the permit, coordinate the power shutoff and reconnect with Duke Energy, install the new meter base, and the city inspects it before Duke turns the power back on.

Meter main combo with its door open on siding, the metal service mast rising above it and conduit down to a block foundation
  • Yours, Not Duke's

  • Permit and Duke Handled

  • Inspected Before Power

When To Schedule Meter Base Replacement

A meter base is worth checking or replacing when any of these apply:

Common Reasons Homeowners Book This Service

Rusted or water-filled meter bases, bases pulling off the wall, leaning masts, burned meter jaws, flickering lights, storm damage, and Duke Energy asking for a repair before reconnecting.

Service Details

What’s Included / What’s Not

Here’s exactly what our standard meter base replacement includes, and what falls outside it.

Included

  • Permit and Inspection

    We pull the electrical permit and schedule the city inspection.

  • Duke Energy Coordinated

    The shutoff and reconnect are scheduled with Duke Energy for you.

  • New Meter Base

    The old meter base removed and a new one mounted and wired to the service and your panel.

  • Grounding Checked

    The grounding electrode conductor at the service checked and connected.

Found Something Bigger?

  • Panel Upgrade

    An old, small or failing panel is best replaced with the meter base, in one shutoff.

    See panel upgrades
  • Surge Protection

    A whole-house surge protector goes in at the panel while the power is off.

    See surge protection

Not Included

  • Siding and Wall Repair

    Rotted siding or sheathing behind the old meter base is a separate trade.

  • Duke Energy’s Equipment

    The meter and the service wires to the house belong to Duke Energy.

Service Process

How a Meter Base Gets Replaced Properly

Every meter base replacement in Raleigh, NC starts with a look at the meter base, the mast and the wires into your panel.

  1. Close view of meter socket jaws coated in grime and corrosion with the service cable behind 1

    Check the Meter Base and Mast

    We look at the meter base, the jaws, the mast and weatherhead and the wires into your panel, then give you the price in writing and pull the permit.

  2. Open meter base on a brick wall with the meter removed and the service conductors landed on the jaws and lugs 2

    Replace It With Duke Coordinated

    Duke Energy shuts off the power on the scheduled day, and we replace the meter base, and the mast and weatherhead when they need it.

  3. New meter main combo with the meter installed and its door open on siding, conduit running down below 3

    Inspection, Then Power Back

    The city inspects the new meter base, and once it passes, Duke Energy reconnects the power and sets the meter.

Power Off After a Storm?

If the mast or meter base was pulled off the house, stay clear of the wires and call Duke Energy first, then us for the repair.
Real Home Gains

Benefits of Meter Base Replacement

Meter base replacement in Raleigh, NC keeps the power coming into your home safe and steady.

  • Steady Power

    Tight new jaws end the flicker and dropouts a loose or burned meter base causes.

  • Water Kept Out

    A sealed meter base and raintight weatherhead keep rain out of the service.

  • Ready for Duke

    Inspected and approved, so Duke Energy can reconnect without delay.

  • Room to Grow

    Done with a panel upgrade, the service is ready for an EV charger or new appliances.

Customer Reviews

What Homeowners Say
In Recent Reviews Online

Homeowners across Raleigh and the Triangle trust our electrical services for reliable results and honest work.

5.0 185+ Google Reviews See all reviews
Featured review

“I have worked with Hugo several times and have always been very happy with his responsiveness, communication and quality of work. In an emergency situation (fallen tree pulled the meter box off the house) he arrived very fast, and hand-held me through the whole process of getting the power back on. In non-emergencies he’s very good about scheduling in a reasonable amount of time, and gives good advice on our options. Always the work is good with god attention to detail. I highly recommend Hugo!”

Sarah Ovenall, Google reviewer
Sarah Ovenall

“I have worked with many different trade and electrical partners in the Raleigh area at my personal residence and rental properties. Hugo and Electrical All Pro are absolutely one of the best! Hugo and team worked tirelessly and for a fair price to get our power restored after 11 days without. We had a complicated situation where 3 condo homeowners were all without power and no repair could be made unless we all agreed to replace the meter bank that supported all 3 properties. Hugo originally came after hours on a Sunday to investigate the situation. He was prompt and knowledgeable. However, in talking with the other homeowners, we decided to have the HOA's regular maintenance/repair company (and electrician subcontractor) do the work as they knew the property well and theoretically should have been very efficient - plus the HOA could coordinate all the work. However, the HOA's regular maintenance/repair company (and electrician subcontractor) quote took 4 days to get us a quote and it came back very high. We immediately reached back out to Hugo to do an estimate and he pulled it together between 8pm and 10am the next day calling national suppliers to locate a part that had escaped the other electrician and then getting it rushed in over the July 4th holiday. He started work the next day and worked until 830pm to accomplish the job, even meeting the city inspector at 745pm. Hugo genuinely cared that we were without power, and he did everything he could to help us restore power quickly. He did not take advantage of the situation financially and offered a lot of value for high quality work. In addition to all of this, I also have to mention that Hugo kindly let us borrow his fuel powered generator to power our condo enough to run a fan and dehumidifier to try and avoid mold - for no fee, just to be helpful. I mean WOW! And he let us borrow it from the very start before we even agreed to do work with him 5 days later! I would absolutely recommend Hugo and”

Audra Lindsley, Google reviewer
Audra Lindsley

“We had a Ring Camera Installed to an electrical outlet. Excellent service and it is working great. Also, we had them come out to survey another electrical issue and was giving extremely good information. If we need any type electrical service, we will be calling them again. Reasonable priced and Very professional!!”

Marian Hawkins, Google reviewer
Marian Hawkins
Recent Jobs

Recent Meter Base Jobs

Real jobs, photographed on the day. Every one was permitted and inspected where the code required it.

See the whole gallery
Service Options

Optional Add-Ons for Meter Base Replacement

These add-ons are commonly paired with meter base replacement in Raleigh, NC homes.

Ask about add-ons at your free estimate
Electrical Standards

Meter Base and Service NEC Code Requirements

Service equipment in North Carolina homes follows the National Electrical Code as the state adopts it.

  • NEC 230.54(A)

    1. A Raintight Weatherhead

    The service mast ends in a weatherhead that keeps rain out where Duke's wires connect.

    NEC Ref: 230.54(A). Service raceways shall be equipped with a raintight service head at the point of connection to service-drop or overhead conductors.

  • NEC 230.28

    2. A Mast Strong Enough

    The mast has to hold the pull of the service wires, braced or guyed when needed, and carry nothing but them.

    NEC Ref: 230.28. Only power service-drop or overhead service conductors shall be permitted to be attached to a service mast.

  • NEC 230.70(A)(1)

    3. A Disconnect Within Reach

    The main disconnect is outside or just inside where the service wires come in, where it can be reached.

    NEC Ref: 230.70(A)(1). The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

  • NEC 250.24(A)

    4. Grounded at the Service

    Every service has a grounding electrode conductor connected at the service equipment.

    NEC Ref: 250.24(A). A premises wiring system supplied by a grounded ac service shall have a grounding electrode conductor connected to the grounded service conductor, at each service.

Our License: NC Electrical Contractor License L.32531 Verify on NC Board site
Downtown Raleigh, NC at night
Local Coverage

Proudly Serving Raleigh, NC & The Surrounding Triangle

Electric All Pro replaces meter bases throughout Raleigh, NC and the surrounding Triangle.

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Select your city to confirm, or see all service areas.

Ready to Replace Your Meter Base?

Tell us what you see on your meter base. Free estimate, price in writing.

  • Free Estimate
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Lifetime Labor Warranty
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Common questions from Raleigh homeowners about meter base replacement.

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Speak directly with a licensed electrician in Raleigh — no call centers.

Real People. Real Answers.
We're here when you need us.
How much does meter base replacement cost in Raleigh?

$1,238 to $1,647 for the meter base on its own and $1,286 to $2,043 with a new service mast and weatherhead, inspection included. A meter main combo is $2,487 to $3,562, a combo upgrade with a new feeder and service $3,519 to $4,986, and the meter base done together with a panel upgrade $5,476 to $6,538. Installation estimates are free, with the price in writing before any work.

Is the meter base mine or Duke Energy's?

Duke Energy owns the meter and the service wires coming to the house. The meter base the meter plugs into, the service mast and weatherhead, and the wires from the meter base into your panel are yours, so repairs to them are yours and need a licensed electrician.

How do I know my meter base needs replacing?

Rust or water inside it, the base pulling away from the wall, a leaning or broken mast, burned or melted meter jaws, lights that flicker or power that drops in and out, or storm damage. Duke Energy may also ask for a repair before reconnecting.

Do I need a permit to replace a meter base?

Yes. A meter base is service equipment, so it is replaced under an electrical permit and inspected by the city before Duke Energy reconnects the power. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection.

How long will my power be off?

The power is off from the Duke Energy shutoff until the new meter base passes inspection and Duke reconnects. We schedule the shutoff with Duke and tell you the day before any work.

Should I upgrade my panel at the same time?

If your panel is old, too small or failing, replacing the meter base together with a panel upgrade saves a second shutoff and permit; the two together are $5,476 to $6,538. If the panel is fine, the meter base can be replaced on its own.

Call (919) 670-4005 Free Estimate