Cost for underground power?

[rlee6]

Does anyone have cost information for burying electrical wires underground, wire cost and digging cost? Scope of the job: 240V 60A, with neutral and grounding wires, about 150' distance.

This is the background. I met the power company rep yesterday. His best plan was to tap from neighbor's power pole on the road, bring it to my parcel along the road where power co has easement (70'), tie it to an existing HV power pole, bring wires into my parcel.

My cost if I put meter pole 30' from the road: $250.
Cost beyond 30' (31' to 180' max): $1270.
Additional cost for going underground: $250-400, varying with distance.

I asked about the sudden jump from $250 to $1270. He didn't have the answer. I talked to my neighbor. He suggested that I get the pole 30' from the road and bury the cable myself. His rough estimate: $100 for 100' of cable, another $100 for trencher rental.

Any cost info will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Farwell]

Because I have existing power at the pole on my property my cost will be approximately $800. The utility company will dig the trench for free and coordinate with my electrician times and dates for hook up. The trench will be approximately 50 feet long, not sure on the depth. The $800 includes the outside 200 amp main breaker box, one inside 100 amp distribution box, hook up costs to the 100 amp box and running a 100 amp leg to the existing inside 100 amp box.
This was a bid that I got in November 2005. I live in Mid Michigan, prices will vary from the different utility companies.
Farwell

 

[hilld]

I don't know about Florida, but here in Oregon this is what we have to do.

Dig a trench 36" deep and lay in 3" rigid (gray) PVC condiut up to the power pole, making sure you use 36" sweeps at the end, if you go over 200', you have to use steel sweeps not the PVC kind. Before backfilling, you have to have the power company inspect the trench, they will come out and install a bracket onto the power pole for the conduit to rest.

You also have to put in a 500lb rated pull string into the conduit so they can pull the wires through the conduit.

The above scenario is for 200A service, not sure what would be required for "only" 60A service that you are wanting.

The costs are:

$20 for each 10 foot piece of 3" conduit (20 footers are available but cost much more per foot)
$2 for each coupler
$4 for a can of PVC glue (depending on size)
$17 for each sweep (90 degree long bend) - PVC
excavator time as needed, remember most likely he/she will have to come twice unless you get lucky and the power comany has somebody available right away after you call for an inspection.

Hope that helps.

Derek

 

[dooleysm]

Keep in mind that the cost of wire to run 150' is not inconsequential. I just bought 10 feet of #6 3 wire to put in a 220 welder outlet. That stuff was $1.56/foot.

I ran power about 85' from my house to pole barn last year. I put in 100 amp service and ran 2 #2 wires for the hot, 1 #3 for the common, and #6 bare copper for the ground. I don't remember the cost, but I bet it was at least $1.56/foot and has probably gone up since then.

 

[texbaylea]

Here is a data point:

The power pole sits between the house and the utility building with an aerial drop to the house and underground to the utility building. We are planning to add on to the house at the end where the drop terminates at the power panel. The plan is to come under ground 125' from the utility building to the house with a new power panel, 200 amp service. The connection point at the building is already in place so that does not figure in the cost.

The first quote I have received is $3700 to trench, lay conduit, pull the wire and replace the panel ( to meet current code). The trench will have to be deep enough to allow a slab to be poured over it.

The power panel will end up in a hallway. just have to hang a picture over it when it is all done.

Vernon

 

[hilld]

If it is a main service, the power company will provide the wire, they generally use AL feeder wire and don't include a ground wire. The ground rod(s) are your responsibility, usually 2 8' rods about 8' apart connected by a AWG 6 bare copper wire (continuous) secured by acorns. If you are building a building, the primary ground will be the Ufer (in the concrete), ground rods are not considered primary grounds if it is a building (go figure).

You also have to add the costs of a meter base and disconnect, usually people around here purchase a Siemens meter main (meter base, disconnect and 8 circuits) for $99 at Home Depot.

Then there is the cost of running all your circuts and lets not forget the costs of pulling permits, around here it was about $200 for the service and then $8 for each additional circuit if purchased with the service.

Derek

 

[3RRL]

rlee6,
If they'll let you dig it yourself do it...way cheaper. Here in So CA, the Edison Co has to install all lines from the nearest pull box to your property. They charge $25 a linear foot and our ordinance is it has to be underground....another $25/linear foot. Do the math to see what it would cost here...150' X $50 = $7,500.

We are going totally off grid. The reason...nearest pull box is almost 4,000 feet away! WOW! Before deciding to go off-grid we considered NOT purchasing the parcel...almost a deal-breaker.

 

[rlee6]

Thanks for the replies. $250 and $1270 are the power company charges. It does not include my cost of erecting a power pole, service disconnect, etc. It covers their work to bring power to the meter base that I will put on the pole for them.

I already have a permit.

I called the power company and asked about the sudden jump. I was told it shouldn't be so, and I will get a cost breakdown by mail in a few days.

 

[rambler]

Hope we hear an update.

Here in MN with the REA, I already had pole service, 60 amp overhead. They offered to go underground when I upgraded to 200 amp for 50 cents a foot. They trenched in with some cool direct burial wire, about 4 feed deep. Made a mess of the driveway, as they go down the driveway, they figure that is the best marker for their several 1000 volt wire....

Keeping it overhead woulda been free, but I didn't want the high voltage & twine poles in my yard. I use elevators & tall farm machinery & the poles woulda been in tyhe way as they deemed they needed.

--->Paul

 

[Cord]

The cost for our vacation home: $26,000. That's 100amp run 1,000 feet down the road and 300' up the drive. Due to high bedrock, the utility is assuming they will need to rock saw the entire distance. I'll get a credit back if they don't. I need to look into me being allowed to put the trench in. I found a 40" rock saw that will cost me around $1,500 a day to run. Don't even ask about water lines and septic tanks.