Getting power to a site

[1930]

What's does it take to get power to a future building site. I have land that I plan to build on in a few years, I'd like to start messing around on the property and am considering starting with a well so I have clean water.

Takes electric to run a well pump so maybe I need to start there.

The land is 5 acres undeveloped but not too heavily wooded.

I've already started taking trees down that I know will be in the way.

There is already a power line in the front of my property that's feeding the only other home at the end of the road.

Not sure how this could work I guess, maybe I have no choice but to build a structure there first to receive power?

Property is located in Marion County Fl


Thanks

 

[cdestuck]

I would imagine this procedure varies location to location. I would contact your power supplier for their requirements. Probably New Service division.

 

[Jim greengo]

Power co may set a pole on your property for you to mount a meter base and outdoor panel .
Check with them.

 

[junkman104]

When I had mine put in I had to supply a temporary service pole as well.

 

[red61cj5]

Contact your power utility about temporary service, also used to be called "saw service". Its a common practice for building sites.

 

[NUTTSGT]

First step is finding out who the supplier is. Check the utility pole to see if it's marked for ownership.


EDIT: I've also moved this to the electrical section. The guys here can help provide you some valuable information.

 

[1930]

Contact your power utility about temporary service, also used to be called "saw service". Its a common practice for building sites.

Thanks I'll do that the keywords helped

 

[larry_g]

The above is what I installed when starting my project. In another thread I posted

This is what I have installed. This panel has two 200A breakers in it one for the house and one for the shop. It also has 8 or 10 slots for breakers that I use one for the well pump and one for the outlets on the side of the panel support that were used for construction power. I had to provide the trench and conduit from the pole to the panel. The power company pulled the wires and installed the meter base.

lg
no neat sig line

Now ten years later it is proven to be a good choice. You can read more in this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66029

lg
no neat sig line

 

[1930]

The above is what I installed when starting my project. In another thread I posted



Now ten years later it is proven to be a good choice. You can read more in this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66029

lg
no neat sig line

Larry, maybe I'm misunderstanding you but did you have a line already in front of your site and you dug a trench from the pole to a spot near your building site?

I'd prefer an underground cable feeding the home versus a pole in my yard and so I'd rather do like this.

I'm sure I could save some money by digging the trench myself assuming that would be allowed.

I'm still trying to get someone to confirm they are the providing company at this point.

 

[75gmck25]

The answer to your question depends on the power company, and they all have slightly different policies.

In some areas that are already wired you may not have to pay anything to have service connected to a temporary pole or to a new structure. Some power companies make this "free" (or very low cost) connection as long as you are within a certain distance of their existing lines and equipment.

However, if its in an city/county that requires building permits and code compliance, you may then have to deal with the city for approval to get temporary power to a pole. They usually require building plans, and there is a time limit on how long you can take to complete a structure.

Another option is to treat it as agricultural property, and state that you only need the power to run your well and some security lighting, which would be used for livestock or other farm use. This may also keep your taxes lower, since agricultural land is usually at a lower tax rate than residential property. However, for tax purposes, keeping it agricultural usually means you need to have an associated business, not just a hobby.

Bruce

 

[1930]

The answer to your question depends on the power company, and they all have slightly different policies.

In some areas that are already wired you may not have to pay anything to have service connected to a temporary pole or to a new structure. Some power companies make this "free" (or very low cost) connection as long as you are within a certain distance of their existing lines and equipment.

However, if its in an city/county that requires building permits and code compliance, you may then have to deal with the city for approval to get temporary power to a pole. They usually require building plans, and there is a time limit on how long you can take to complete a structure.

Another option is to treat it as agricultural property, and state that you only need the power to run your well and some security lighting, which would be used for livestock or other farm use. This may also keep your taxes lower, since agricultural land is usually at a lower tax rate than residential property. However, for tax purposes, keeping it agricultural usually means you need to have an associated business, not just a hobby.

Bruce

I've considered agg. but I'm trying to keep everything on the upnup and I don't want to have to deal with livestock just to save taxes.

I should look into what qualifies for agricultural zoning. Hard to do without asking questions that make me look like I'm trying to evade taxes.

 

[larry_g]

Larry, maybe I'm misunderstanding you but did you have a line already in front of your site and you dug a trench from the pole to a spot near your building site? Yes I had power at the road.
I dug the trench and laid in the conduit per the power company's direction.
The large conduit coming up into the box is the feed.

I'd prefer an underground cable feeding the home versus a pole in my yard and so I'd rather do like this.

I'm sure I could save some money by digging the trench myself assuming that would be allowed.

I'm still trying to get someone to confirm they are the providing company at this point.

What you don't see in the picture is the three smaller conduits that go to 1. the house. 2. the shop. 3. the well house. I also have a quad box on the panel that was used during construction.

If you look through the beginning of my build thread below the power box shows up in a few of the early build pictures. It was planned into the property to be central to the buildings and out of the way when all the buildings were finished. Having a layout of the proposed buildings allowed me to run the incoming power where it would be out of the way and not have to be moved.

In this picture you can see the panel behind the pump house.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[walta]

In my county you need a building permit to get temporary power and your permit will expire in 12 months. All temporary power is billed as a commercial account at commercial rates.

You cannot get a permanent power without a septic system that passes inspection.

Walta

 

[1930]

What you don't see in the picture is the three smaller conduits that go to 1. the house. 2. the shop. 3. the well house. I also have a quad box on the panel that was used during construction.

If you look through the beginning of my build thread below the power box shows up in a few of the early build pictures. It was planned into the property to be central to the buildings and out of the way when all the buildings were finished. Having a layout of the proposed buildings allowed me to run the incoming power where it would be out of the way and not have to be moved.

In this picture you can see the panel behind the pump house.

lg
no neat sig line

Got it, thanks

So is it true that the power company only would go to the box ( assuming it was out on the property ) and howeowner would be responsible up to the structure?

 

[Redwolf947]

You would need to see how the power company would want it done. Where my property is, in Upper Michigan, I have to supply the meter base, pole, and conduit into the ground they run the wire into my conduit to the meter base. (If above ground I would have to supply the wire to the top of the service mast weather head.) I supply the wire from the meter base to the breaker box. Then I would be responsible to run all power to anything on my property. All this will need permits and inspections.

What sux for me is I had power to my property but my old pole broke I was never contacted. They did a disconnect and I didn't find out untill it was too late. Now I have to pay to get it reconnected.

 

[Marctrees]

Some years ago I was building 800' from a road, where the power ran.

To bring it the 800' down my property to house location, it was about 6k.

Overhead on poles.

IOW, $6,000 MORE than if the home was near the road.

Marc

 

[Jim greengo]

The above is what I installed when starting my project. In another thread I posted



Now ten years later it is proven to be a good choice. You can read more in this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66029

lg
no neat sig line

 

[larry_g]

Got it, thanks

So is it true that the power company only would go to the box ( assuming it was out on the property ) and howeowner would be responsible up to the structure?

In my county that is true. From reading on this site that is not true in all areas, some areas YOU are responsible from the road.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[nh_yota]

Temporary power is just that - temporary - so it really depends on how long you need it.

Most towns/power companies have rules about how long you can have a power hookup without a structure.

 

[1930]

Temporary power is just that - temporary - so it really depends on how long you need it.

Most towns/power companies have rules about how long you can have a power hookup without a structure.

it was finally confirmed that Seco provides the energy I called Marion County to confirm that I did not need a permit which is what Seco told me.

Marion County has told me that they will not allow me to run a temporary pole the only way I can have power on the property is if I submit a building permit and go through all of the construction permitting processes.

I guess that's that for now because you can't fight City Hall

 

[wyliesdiesels]

it was finally confirmed that Seco provides the energy I called Marion County to confirm that I did not need a permit which is what Seco told me.

Marion County has told me that they will not allow me to run a temporary pole the only way I can have power on the property is if I submit a building permit and go through all of the construction permitting processes.

I guess that's that for now because you can't fight City Hall

Before i saw your comment I was gonna say to check with your AHJ because they may require building plans and a permit before you can get a power hookup from the electric company.

 

[Max]

Ok, crazy option time.

Why not put in a small solar panel + charger and battery + inverter? I don't think that you'd need a permit, FL has lots of sun, and a single panel should supply enough power to keep the pump happy unless you are planning on running a lot of water...

Max

 

[1930]

Ok, crazy option time.

Why not put in a small solar panel + charger and battery + inverter? I don't think that you'd need a permit, FL has lots of sun, and a single panel should supply enough power to keep the pump happy unless you are planning on running a lot of water...

Max

The guy at Marion County suggested a generator, when he suggested it I had forgotten that I had one.

I have had it for years and run it less than 5 minutes one time when I bought it, I am pretty sure it will do anything I ask it to do. I did drain what little gas I put in it and I believe I disconnected the battery but Im sure worst case scenario is that I may still have to buy a battery and replace some fuel lines or whatever.

Im gonna start looking into maybe a cheap storage container that I can keep at the site to lock my tools up in.

I know they are crappy pictures but space was tight to even pull it out.

If anyone knows for sure if this would run a well pump and maybe some small electrical items that would be great.

 

[cbacres]

What you don't see in the picture is the three smaller conduits that go to 1. the house. 2. the shop. 3. the well house. I also have a quad box on the panel that was used during construction.

If you look through the beginning of my build thread below the power box shows up in a few of the early build pictures. It was planned into the property to be central to the buildings and out of the way when all the buildings were finished. Having a layout of the proposed buildings allowed me to run the incoming power where it would be out of the way and not have to be moved.

In this picture you can see the panel behind the pump house.

lg
no neat sig line

What Larry has said and done is my suggestion, plan out your compound and just do electric once.
Just figuire out you power company and ask for a rep or service planner to come meet you on your site, they can usally tell you then what can be done and what you need to do.

The requirements will vary depending on building depts. in my area, they will not give you more than a 60 amp service and will just for irrigation.
Go underground, it'll be more money, but well worth it. Ask if they will run the primary voltage underground to a pad mount transformer, it's a simple 2" conduit from the pole to wherever you want the transformer. Be prepared to grant a easement from pole to this spot, usally 10-15' wide.

By having a pad mount, you can add secondary services from it, each one will need its own meter.

I like how Larry did his, one main with branches to each building.

Let me back up a little, call the building dept and see if they will allow a 200 amp or so service. They will tell you what you can install without a building.

Good luck .