Anybody had electrical service installed on an empty property?

[Citydude]

My experience was to contact the power company. Sounds like you haven't done that yet. Have the conversation. They will let you know what the requirements are.

 

[oosik]

My co-op electric company had no problems providing power to my 80 acres BEFORE any structure( my house ) was built. All I had to do was pay for the service before they began the extension. I would imagine they get very few who would lay down $5000+ with no intention of building something.

This was in the early summer of 1982.

 

[thepumpguysc]

kenmac has the answer.. in my area too..SC.
u can find Temp. Power Poles w/box on Craigs list ALL the time.. around 200.00
The customer buys & places the pole & box..

 

[kuschneider]

I have 20 acres that I wanted electrical service on before any structures were built, or planned to be built. I was right off the country road where overhead lines ran. I marked my spot I wanted the post, then I had to cut a clear path from that spot to the county road for to make sure I had overhead clearance for the line. They came in and dropped the post, box, and a meter. I bought an RV service panel at Menards. It had 30 and 50 AMP RV outlets, as well as two normal 15 amp outlets.

Dont think I paid any extra for they installation. Just the normal monthly meter fee of $30, plus usage. I later build a house on the property. My electrician ran the electric to the house from that pole.

 

[Diggin It]

Keep in mind that whatever they put up, there will be a monthly recurring charge, whether you use a KWh or not. How often do you plan on being there? How much of that time do you anticipate needing power? Would a generator be better in the short term?

 

[EddieWalker]

I've done this with three different power companies in my area. They come out to the site and look it over, then ask where you want the pole to be set. Then they give instructions on where to put the meter pole and what they require with the meter pole. Local lumber yard sells them all ready to go, but if you want to build your own, they all have links to websites on what you have to do, and how far up everything has to be. I just have the client buy the meter pole.

Each time it's been for something different, from a RV to a mobile home, to a workshop, to a shed and to new construction. The process is always the same, call the power company, tell them that you need power and set a time to meet with the person that will come out and look over the site. Biggest issue for them is where they will be getting the power from, and how to get it to your location. Don't assume anything by what you see on the street, they have some of the wackiest rules possible on what pole they can tie into, and why they cannot follow the most obvious path to get to your location. Sometimes they ask for a list of what you plan on using there to justify how far they will go before charging you. Usually it's one pole, but if you have enough demand, you can get more poles installed. Sometimes.

 

[JPRambo]

I had a time getting power to my property in N. Georgia. Mostly getting easement across the neighbors property. But Amicalola Power had no problem installing it. Just a check for +- $5500. They "stitched" it in and installed a ground mounted transformer. Hook to my installed meter and breaker panel.

 

[oosik]

I didn't know that I needed a permit to wire up my breaker panel. So when the "man" came out to make the final hook up & instal the meter. Oops - no State Electrical inspectors sticker inside my meter box. Just $15 and another hold up. The State Electrical inspector demanded that I tell him who wired up the box for me. I could see he was looking to hang somebody. He was disappointed when he found it was me. Somewhat shocked to see that it was done correctly. Live and learn.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Years ago, in our area, you could do your own meter base / power pole, which I did for the house. I was planning to do it again for the adjoining lot for our new cottage. NOPE ! The power company now requires a licensed electrician to install it and state inspections be done. My cost went from about $400 to $2500. More bureaucratic BS! They have you cornered no matter what.

 

[Macinnis]

When I met with the power company at my place, they told me the first pole was free, after that, It would be $7 per foot. If I had a ‘living quarters’ he would give me 400’ free. But the ‘living quarters’ had to be move in ready (water and septic). It’s almost impossible to build new without electric...