How much does it cost to trench for electrical lines?

Author: Julian Strosin  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Trenching costs $5 to $12 per linear foot, depending on the length, depth, soil type, and obstructions. Digging a 100-foot trench costs $500 to $1,200 on average for underground electrical conduit or water, sewer, or gas lines. Trenching services charge $35 to $65 per hour for labor.

How long does it take to trench 100 feet with a trencher?

How Long to Dig a Trench: Planning Your Project. It takes 10 to 12 hours to dig a 100-foot trench by hand. Renting a trencher can reduce the time down to two to three hours. Wet the soil the day before trenching to speed up the project.

How much does it cost per foot to run electrical line underground?

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.

How much does it cost to hire a trench digger?

Renting a trencher costs between $120 and $400 per day, for an average daily cost of $280. The average cost to rent a trencher is $280 per day, but it could range from $100 to $620, depending on the type of trencher you need.

How deep do you need to trench for electrical?

As mentioned earlier, burial depth varies with conditions and locations. However, as a general rule, most safety codes require burial at 24 inches. This depth provides adequate protection and minimizes the risk of damage. Under concrete or roadways, conduit may be buried at 18 inches.

ZERO Digging-Trenching Made Easy-Cable, Electric, Conduit

How much to dig a trench for electrical wire?

You should budget anywhere from $5 to $12 per linear foot to dig a trench or $13 to $40 per linear foot for major projects.

How far down are electric lines buried?

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.

Does Lowe's rent trenchers?

Lowe's Rental has a wide assortment of equipment to help you get the job done at the right price. Whether you need power tools, lawn mowers, pressure washers, generators, excavators or trenchers, we have you covered.

Is it worth renting a trencher?

Renting a trencher can maximize efficiency and productivity for a business, even if they already own a machine. For contractors who currently own a trencher, it could be beneficial to rent an additional machine if you are working on a tight time frame and need to maximize productivity.

Do trenchers cut through roots?

A trencher can cut through small, soft roots, but it can't handle larger roots quite as well.

Can you pay to have power lines buried?

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.

How much does it cost to trench per foot?

Trenching costs $5 to $12 per linear foot, depending on the length, depth, soil type, and obstructions.

How much does it cost to wire a 30x40 shop?

How much does it cost to wire a 30×40 shop? When planning your new shop's electrical wiring, consider labor rates, wiring complexity, distance from the existing electrical service, and materials used. Expect to pay roughly $3 to $7 per square foot, totaling $3,600 to $8,400 for a 30x40 shop.

How deep will a walk-behind a trencher dig?

Trenches less than 4 feet deep: A walk-behind trencher like the Ditch Witch C30X works well. Trenches deeper than 4 feet or longer than 250 feet: Opt for a ride-on trencher like the RT45.

Do electricians dig trenches?

Electrical employees may need to dig trenches and holes for underground electrical lines and fixtures. These digging tasks are very physically demanding and may have adverse effects on employees, especially when done for extended periods of time.

Is a trencher faster than an excavator?

That means the rock must be hauled away, pulverized by a rock crusher and then transported back to the site to serve as backfill. Time is of the essence when it comes to construction and landscaping projects. In many cases, a trenching machine can complete tasks several times faster than an excavator.

Do you need a license to use a trencher?

Operating a trencher takes skill and experience, but not a licence. Now that's a top level answer, but if you're seriously looking to operate a trencher, whether it's a tracked trencher, ride on trencher or walk behind trencher, you need to undergo training before you start working.

How much does it cost to rent a ditch trencher?

Plan to spend about $130 a day, $416 a week, or $936 a month for a 24-inch model. A 36-inch walk-behind trencher will cost a bit more: $156 a day, $448 a week, or $1,131 a month.

How wide of a hole does a trencher dig?

Size. Smaller models can often dig trenches between 1 and 4 feet deep and between 4 and 16 inches wide. Larger trenchers can dig ditches up to 18 feet deep and 4 feet wide.

What is the best tool to rent to dig a trench?

Compared to trenchers, excavators dig to greater depths, are suitable for all terrain and more easily dispose of soil or rocks. When digging trenches more than 100 feet long or in dense, rocky terrain, renting a trencher is more effective than using shovels and other hand tools.

How deep can a rental trencher dig?

Our ride-on trench digger rental has a diesel-powered, 32-50 horsepower engine and can reach digging depths of 48" to 60" depending on the model. Our inventory includes top manufacturers Ditch Witch and Vermeer.

Can you rent tools from Ace Hardware?

Ace Hardware offers a comprehensive list of tools for rent, including power tools, painting and decorating tools, plumbing tools, gardening and landscaping tools, and automotive tools.

Why are electric lines not buried?

An advantage of aerial cables is that their insulation removes the danger of electric shock (unless the cables are damaged). Another advantage is that they forgo the costs—particularly high in rocky areas—of burying.

What is the code for buried electrical wires?

Wiring buried inside rigid metal (RMC) or intermediate metal (IMC) conduit must have at least 6 inches of earth cover; wiring in PVC conduit must have at least 18 inches of cover. Backfill surrounding conduit or cables must be smooth granular material without rocks.

How deep is electric line to house?

Typically, residential powerlines are buried between 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) deep. Local building codes and utility regulations often dictate the minimum depth to which power lines must be buried to ensure safety and minimize the risk of accidental damage.

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