The cost to replace an electrical
The average cost to run power underground is $10 to $25 per foot, or $5,000 to $12,500 for 500' of new electrical lines. Overhead power line installation costs $5 to $15 per foot, or $4,000 to $7,500 for 500'. The cost to bury existing power lines is $2,000 to $6,000. Get free estimates from wiring installers near you.
The cost of running a new electrical service from the road to your house is $12,250 on average for a length of 500 feet. Installing overhead lines costs $4,000 to $20,000 on average. You could pay as little as $3,000 or as much as $25,000 if you need to run lines a long distance across rough or challenging terrain.
Utility workers can fix a minor incident, such as a fallen power line, in around 2-3 hours. But when the cause of a blackout is severe weather or a natural disaster, you can expect to be out for several days and even months in some extreme cases.
Your utility company is usually responsible for the wires connecting your home to the pole. Homeowners are responsible for almost all other electrical components.
Utility pole installation costs $1,200 to $5,600. A utility pole is also called a power pole, electric pole, or telephone pole. A meter pole costs $500 to $2,200 installed. Electrical meter poles are smaller poles that connect service lines to a breaker box in a house or mobile home.
Electrical circuits are generally placed underground to protect the lines from high winds, ice and other damaging elements. Underground installation also improves aesthetics, but is usually more costly. For this reason, most utilities will install underground lines at the customer's request and cost.
Most electric transmission and distribution lines were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s with a 50-year life expectancy, and the more than 640,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines in the lower 48 states' power grids are at full capacity.
When this happens, it's the responsibility of the power company to remove the tree and repair any damage to their equipment. If the tree was on your property, the utility usually has the right to access it via what's known as a utility easement.
Cost to Run Electricity to Your House
If power lines exist at or near your property line, getting an electricity hookup is simple. Expect to pay around $1,000 if this is the case, or about $5 to $15 per linear foot. If you pay to hire an electrician, the hourly rate is $50 to $100.
For buyers, a lower upfront cost when purchasing near power lines may seem like a good deal. However, the same lines will remain when reselling, hampering value. In extreme cases near high-voltage towers, a study from the Journal of Real Estate Research shows nearby property values reduced by 44.9 percent.
Your homeowners insurance policy may cover damaged wiring under your dwelling coverage. This may include things like your electrical panel. However, many insurers won't cover certain wiring issues, such as faulty workmanship or repair.
For a 3-bedroom, 1,500 square foot home, the average cost to rewire can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. This means a full rewiring project could cost between $15,000 and $30,000. Smaller homes, such as a 2-bedroom bungalow, will naturally be on the lower end of this spectrum.
Fallen Power Lines Are Dangerous And Destructive
Home damage caused by falling trees or power lines themselves is covered by most homeowners insurance policies.
Average Hourly Rates
Typically, electricians charge between $50 and $100 per hour. But the first hour might cost more, about $150, due to initial setup and travel. In emergencies, expect to double the rate to $100–$200 per hour.
The depth of lines varies depending on type. Cable and phone lines are typically buried at one foot or less. Electrical lines and water lines are typically buried at around 2 feet or 24 inches underground. Things like high voltage electric lines and water pipes are buried at around 3 feet underground.
Usually, the utility is responsible up to the point of connection, which is usually the splices outside of the weatherhead. Some utilities only have responsibility to the pole, and some to the meter. You would have to contact your utility company to be sure which applies here.
If you come across a fallen wire, the best option is to slowly shuffle away and call 911 or your local electric company. Warn others about the fallen wire so they can keep safe as well.
Published on Friday, December 08, 2023
Your safest course of action is to contact your local tree care company immediately. They have the expertise to assess the situation and take appropriate action, whether that involves removing the tree or trimming it to a safe distance from the power line.
If electrical lines have been torn from your house, or the electric meter or power pole mast attached to your home has been damaged, contact a private electrician to make the repairs.
Upgrading power lines — “reconductoring,” in the biz — is a straightforward way to boost the capacity of the electrical grid by enabling it to transmit more power and leak less of it.
They don't 'wear out'. They may be damaged or slowly corrode over time (like 50 years). In coastal areas, the lines and insulators are 'washed' to get rid of the salt to extend the life of the line. In most cases the conductors are replaced 'as needed' not all at once unless the line is rebuilt for more capacity.
While underground lines are protected from wind, wildfires and tree branches, they are vulnerable to earthquakes and flooding. They are also more expensive to build and maintain. By comparison, it costs approximately 3-5x more per foot to construct underground power lines versus overhead lines.
In my area, the electric utility company owns the power lines up to your house. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of them. After the connection point at your house, you are responsible for everything “downstream”, including the electric meter box.
To convert your service, there is a flat fee of $651.49 that would be due to FPL along with possible additional costs that depend on a number of variables such as: Whether your local government's electrical authority requires electrical installation or wiring to be upgraded as part of your conversion.