Can an electric contractor run the lines and poles instead of the electric company that is providing service?

Question

Putting a house behind the one we are in now. New lines have to be ran. Our service provider is expensive. Is it lawful to have a contractor do this service.

There is 1865 feet from the pole now. We will have to have a new meter. An electric contractor is cheaper than the service provider. The provider wants almost $12000 just to run the line. Is it lawful for a contractor to run the wire and poles? Will there be a problem with the provider hooking onto it?

Answer 1

Unless your contractor is certified and approved by the utility and the local inspection/permitting authority, the utility company will have to do the work. The power company is responsible for all lines and support structures up to the meter except for any mast head or conduit needed to get it there. Therefore they don't allow just anyone, even a contractor, to do it unless qualified. In your case you might prefer to run the new line in conduit, which you can lay, and then not have overhead lines. Plus it generally looks better. It too must meet certain code requirements.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The contractor can install the lines and poles but the service provider has to be the one that connects the power. the contractor must be a licence electrical contractor,and can do most of what you need cheaper than the provider.but still the provider must connect the main power.

Answer 3

My sister tried that and got a big fine. Here your electrician can only run the line to your power box. Only the electric company can run the line from your house to the pole. It is their pole.

Answer 4

Most electric companys will run from street to meter above ground ,and will not charge you are responsible from meter to house and can have electrician do this but electrician can not go from pole to meter and you have no choice but to pay electric company

Answer 5

you just run the wires to the meter box and the power company should run the wires from the meter box to the pole for free. after all, you are buying their power. but a lincenced contractor can do that for you.

Answer 6

It depends on where you are. What is lawful in Bosnia may not be lawful in California.

You should ask your electrician if it is lawful for it to do it. It ought to know what work it is licensed to perform - and you can get a quote while you are at it. You may find that your electrician is also expensive.

Good luck.

Answer 7

as long as you're using the same meter you may have an electrician do it, From the meter and beyond.

Answer 8

with proper permits you should be able to hire your contractor to do this work.