Going on the Grid-How much?

[fitter1]

Just got a price from local power co. for my property in Groton Vt. $20K for 4 poles @ 1200ft. I'm on a private road that I maintain. Currently I use solar and I'm on my third generator that powers well pump and power tools. I've had enough, but 20k for power seems outrages. For anyone in the NEK are there any independent power line contractors that can install poles in this area? Thanks in advance...Ken

 

[George2615]

I had to have local power co. set 5 poles to get power to a property I bought 11 years ago. Cost to me was $5K. Don't know what it would cost today but estimate might be 7-9k? Poles, lines, and transformer owned by power co. and had to be installed by them.

 

[Cord]

That's not bad... my quote was $40k for the same distance. Plus, I still need to get the power from the transformer to the building. If I could put the trench in I could get that number down to 10k, but they won't let me. Even asked about having a qualified contractor and the answer again was no. So it's generators for me.

Instead of a cheapie gas generator, look for a slow speed diesel unit. The small ones are a bit hard to find, but they pop up occasionally when they're upgraded commercially. Typically these units have very low hours for their vintage, but they've been exceptionally well maintained. With LED lighting becoming more popular, I believe that solar will have a greater chance of being practical in the future. Sadly, you'll still need the generator for the pump and power tools. Even an Aeromotor windmill is stupid expensive.

 

[nybirdman]

I have heard of similar prices for power hook-ups in Northern NY.I have friends that built a new house before pricing power,they ended up going solar/generator(propane) with propane frig.Wood and propane for heat.

 

[RNeumann]

Every utility charges different for hook-ups. Ask for a price breakdown. You should be able to hire a different contractor to set poles etc and the utility (sometimes the contractor) just puts on the wire and transformer.
Another option is to go underground. You should be able to do the conduit and pull boxes yourself or hire a contractor.
I paid about 10k for a poles, transformer and wire for 800' or so. Seems the pole was about $1500, transformer was $4000 and the rest was wire and fees.
With those prices you have $6000 in poles and $4000 for a transformer alone.
I was told I was lucky because the other utility in my area would charge more.

 

[fitter1]

My next generator would have or will be a water cooled 1800rpm diesel with heat reclaim for hot water baseboard heat. For power line cost, I can build a 24x24 garage and a diesel generator. But I'm so tired of the noise and who wants to smell diesel fumes all the time. Over the years power cost 8.5k, 12.5k and now 20k. That 40k price does take the sting out a bit.. I do need to dig up insulate and heat trace 140ft of well water line this summer so I can have water year round, due to ledge. Hence utility power. Plus I can have a phone line installed, no cell service.

 

[CCWKen]

I've moved a pole by myself using a rented backhoe with a narrow bucket but that was for low-tension 100' lines. The holes I dug (one to remove the pole and one for the new location) were three straight sided and a slope to the bottom on the forth side. To remove the pole, I pushed it over into the slope side and drug it out with a chain. For the new location, I laid the pole into the slope, raised it, braced it then back filled. Keep the slope side perpendicular to your pole load line (wire line) so that there's no side load on the fill side. It's been up over 20 years and hasn't moved.

I have no idea what setting your own poles would save but I would ask but power companies can set a pole in less than half an hour. I watched them put up new HT lines along my property line a few years ago. I think the big cost would be the insulators and wiring. For 1200', those four poles are going to be big though. A guy down the road has about a 1200' run of high tension line. They used aluminum poles on concrete foundations. That can't be cheap.

 

[CCWKen]

Another option is to go underground. You should be able to do the conduit and pull boxes yourself or hire a contractor.

It may be for commercial property only but I thought underground HT lines had to be covered in concrete or have concrete boxing. I seem to recall something like that. Just in case someone comes along later and digs along the line.

 

[RNeumann]

Mine is underground- no concrete. It's actually only 1 wire to the transformer. They set the transformer near the panel and meter which is between the house and shop. The standard 3 wires from transformer to meter.
Each utility sets their standards for their area. They have basic guidelines like the NEC but can modify with a lot of latitude. So maybe that's where the concrete came from. I've worked in a few jurisdictions and have never needed concrete. The code does provide for concrete cover if your aren't able to get the required depth.

 

[Rustyiron]

I'm in Maine, but they allowed me to install 7 poles. I used a contractor (a retired power Co. lineman) He supplied and built everything for about 1800' (on my land) for $10k. This work all get's inspected and approved prior to energizing by the utility. The power needed to be brought down the state road 3 poles (existing) but no electric on them. That was work the utility had to do and that part was also $10k ??
If you are not allowed to use a contractor, will they allow a meter at the road at the first pole on your private road, similar to elec. service for a mobile home, then at that point you do as you please to your home? Might check with the local "code officer"/building inspector for recommendations. I'm sure your not the first guy in this situation. It was a lot of money, but you'll smile every time you just "flick" the light switch.

 

[KYErik]

How many amps do you think you will need? If you only need 40 amps (well and power tools) and you only need 120 volts, maybe you could have them put the transformer and meter on the public road (for free) and use one insulated 000 aluminum wire and one bare aluminum wire and run your own line the 1200' feet to your place.

Wild idea- could you have the power company do their "free" installation on the power pole by the road and put your meter there. Next, find a "step up" transformer and run your own high voltage line 1,200ft to your place, then install another "step down" transformer there. Yes- you would need to pay for two "extra" transformers but maybe you could find them used for a reasonable price.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

t 20k for power seems outrages.

Nah, that's not outrageous. There are a lot of variables, so you will find people getting what seems to be similar distances for less, but also for more, and sometimes a lot more.

Find out who does commercial power in your area. The electricians that work closely with the power company are the best bet for recommendations for someone to do it cheaper.

 

[fitter1]

Thanks guys for all your input. A google search does not help much but I will keep on trying other options. The cost of a tree clearing crew is also a big part of the cost.

 

[Sysop]

Another factor not yet mentioned that will vary the cost a lot is, what kind of changes does the electric company need to make on down the line to support your power requirements.

My farm is a really old farm, still has 40A service from the 1920s, and I'm the "end of the line". When I have my power upgraded, they're going to have to replace lines and transformers back up the line a ways to get more power to me.

You might not be paying for just a simple connection from the nearest connection point. You may be responsible for upgrades needed to get enough power to that connection point as well.

 

[Rustyiron]

Thanks guys for all your input. The cost of a tree clearing crew is also a big part of the cost.

That changes everything. I did a LOT of clearing.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

You might not be paying for just a simple connection from the nearest connection point. You may be responsible for upgrades needed to get enough power to that connection point as well.

The cost of a tree clearing crew is also a big part of the cost.

That changes everything. I did a LOT of clearing.

Both excellent points!

The tree clearing is something you could do yourself, if you are so inclined. There's an opportunity for savings there. It can't hurt to get a quote.

 

[blackdog2086]

Back in 2000 when I built my house, the local power company wanted $27,000 to run approx. 1/4 mile of line to my house. I had the option of above ground which included poles, but I had to clear 40' either side of the poles myself through very dense woods. I decided to go the underground route right down the center of my drive.

I told the power company I would run the lines myself as I had priced the line and materials needed and came up with a price of around $8,000. They said I couldn't do it myself and when I asked why they didn't really have an answer. I waited 4 months while their legal teams tried to come up with a reason and eventually got approval to do my own install minus final hookup. The power company actually sold me the materials (cable, transformer, connectors etc.) for several thousand less than I could've purchased them from a private source.

I got an acquaintance of mine to dig my trench with his backhoe (including refilling the hole after the line was buried) for $1000. It took extra time because the power company insisted on inspecting my trench to ensure it was the proper depth before I could drop my line, and they dragged their feet sending out an inspector, I'm guessing because they weren't happy with me doing it myself. After I got the lines buried, they sent a crew out to set my transformer and do the final hookups at my house and the pole which they set right next to my neighbors.

When all was said and done, I paid just over $7000 for everything. Then the kicker was I had to sell it back to the power company for $1 or else they wouldn't maintain it in the event of lightning strikes, power surges or whatever other problems might arise. I still lose power occasionally during severe storms (I have a backup generator) but I'm the only one in the area with underground. Up to the point where it hooks to my pole it's all above so until that changes I'll always have to deal with storm issues.

 

[fitter1]

It would be a 200 amp service and will look into having a local logger due the cutting. Thanks

 

[Woody65]

I just did the same project last year. The electric company quoted me about 20k to bring power in overhead. 200 amp service 1250'. I wound up going underground. I did all the dirt work and had a local electrician put in 3 runs of 2" conduit. 2 for the electric lines and 1 for cable or whatever I want at a later date. The electrician cost me $13500 and the electric company charged me $2700 to do the connections and set the transformer. I can get $2500 of the $2700 back if I install 2 of the 3 following things, well, septic system or home foundation with plans within 2 years of my service turn on date. The electrician also ran a 100 amp line from the meter to my barn and set up a 100 amp service in the barn. I actually saved a couple of thousand going underground. I had the equipment to do it myself ( mini ex and tractor, fel attachments etc ) so this helped keep the cost of labor down on the install and finish dirt work. And I don't have to look at the poles and wires every time I drive up my road.

Just an FYI, the electric company was going to required me to make a 30' wide path with a road so they could install, maintain and repair the overhead lines.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Amortized, it actually isn't that bad. Especially for the comfort and convenience.

And for perspective. How many spend that extra for all the goodies in a pickup truck beyond what is needed? Or spend half that on a vacation or leather couch. Or on one of those monstrosity campers that get used two weeks a year until they get fed up with the cost and hassle.

The power is good value, no matter the cost!