[ptmckiou]

We are trying to decide whether to buy a larger than average lot (2.5 acres) in a subdivision and we're wondering what type of major expense we might be looking at in getting the electric service down to the building site.

The building site is approximately 600 feet from the street with an elevation change of about 150 feet down to the building site from the street. Power is at the street, so what should we ball park on the expense of getting the electric cable down to the building area? Most likely we would do it via poles since trenching is so much more expensive. We want copper cable instead of aluminum for a 200 amp service at the new house. Are we looking at a $7000 job or a $25,000 expense? This could deter us from going with this property because of these issues.

Pat

[parttime]

With the info you gave, I would look into renting a trencher and doing it myself, you could knock the ditch out in a day easy. Plus no overhead cables is a plus to the view. Good luck

[Stratmando]

Like Above,
Trench would be the way to go. While you have trencher, I would also run a couple of Extra PVC for maybe Cable, Phone, Electric Gate? Innercom, Camera, Lights on front post.
Maybe trench to a couple of locations for water. Just bury the pipe and Identify the Ends.
Tie in as you need or can afford. Doesn't get cheape to do than while you have trencher if that is your option.

[ptmckiou]

What type of electrical cable is run for a trench installation verses an aerial installation so I might see the potential cost on the differences of these materials?

[tkrussell]

500 MCM copper is about $8.00 a foot now. 500 MCM Cu would result in a 4% voltage drop for a fully loaded 200 amp service of 160 amps.

Three legs would be needed, for a total cost $14,000 alone, not including any other costs, such as conduit, fittings, labor, etc. Seems that along with all the other costs would bring the cost up to $25 K easy.

I think your choice of using copper is a bit idealistic, unless $25-30 K fits your budget.

Ask the seller to provide a line item in the contract to include the cost of getting utilities to the building site, as Strat mentions you also need telephone, and cable, which will add to the cost.

[Stratmando]

Personally I like Copper, Aluminum can be used some places. Copper has gotten very Expensive. I use THHN/THWN, and is gas/oil resistant. Better to pull in complete run, no splices, maybe leave 1 or 2 90 degree sweeps of so it may be pulled with a vehicle.
Long runs can get heavy. Install sweeps.

[tkrussell]

A 600 foot run of any cable should never be pulled through sweeps, but to manholes or handholes at each end, before sweeping up.

The friction of such a pull would stress the cable insulation greatly.

[ptmckiou]

Wow! I didn't realize copper had gotten THAT expensive. Okay... if we used alumimun cable how much cheaper would that make the job?

[tkrussell]

Then you will need 750 MCM Al, and about $4-$5 per foot.

For anything of this volume, even just for a feasibility budget, shop it.

Check as many electrical supply distributors all with the same bill of material. Ask each what would be a reasonable estimate of percent increase for the future date you would plan to need the material. They all will only guarantee any price for 30 days, but may not so with copper. Weekly if best.

For 600 hundred foot, you really should look into extending the high voltage line underground, to a ground pad mount transformer close to the building. Due to local market variations, it is difficult to estimate with any great accuracy, but my experience is approx $10K for this size installation in rural New England.

Look for an electrical contractor that does High voltage work for a design and estimate. You may be able to get a price from the utility, bit they usually are higher than private contractors. Many sub out the locals.

[Washington1]

TK's on the money.

To add: Copper went up when gas prices started going crazy. When I started working, I could get 14-2 for $24 per 250 foot roll. Now it's close to $48 per roll--doubled in 9 months. It was higher, some how they got it down $4.

[tkrussell]

We can look at China and India's booming manufacturing for the demand on commodities. Their huge need for raw products in such a short period strained supplies, plus something went on in Chile where mines were shutdown causing even more damage to supply.

It truly is a global economy, and events ripple everywhere.

What I want to know is when will it stop? Of course incomes do rise , but slower than costs of goods and services.

Imagine a person working at McDonald's making $100K per year and still have problems because a gallon of milk is $50.00, or it costs $30K to wire a shed, weird examples but you gt my point.