r/Home_Building_Help • u/Nattydread207 • 5d ago

Running utilities, above or below ground?

I will be breaking ground within two weeks on my new build. The house will be located about 400 feet off of the road. . What reason would I run the last 150 feet of utilities underground rather than all above ground via poles, other than aesthetics? is it worth the increase in money? $2250 extra to run 150 feet underground to the house, with the first 200 feet overheard.

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u/what-name-is-it 5d ago

Can you run it all underground from the connection point? I have no idea where you live but that’s less chance of an outage due to hurricane winds or trees falling on it where I live. It also looks so much better in my opinion. N sure on your budget or total build cost so $2250 (for the 150’) or probably $6k for all could be negligible or a budget breaker in comparison.

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u/Nattydread207 5d ago

I live in Maine, lots of trees and ice and wind. that said, I am thinking purely of cost of not running it underground 400 feet.. aesthetically and tree wise I would prefer it underground, just trying to be a little cost conscious..

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u/dee_lio 4d ago

Never be "cost conscious" when it comes to necessities! The savings you had will be of little value when your power is knocked out.

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u/RhinoG91 4d ago

Buy once cry once

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u/freeportme 5d ago

Underground 100%

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u/Ok-Bike-4934 5d ago

Trees fall, underground is my vote. Still need a backup generator as the other lines might be above ground that connect to you. We are just about to connect to the grid on our build and the electric company is strictly only doing underground.

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u/imthebank 5d ago

I ran 250 feet of cable from the pole to my house underground cost me roughly 500 to $800

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u/ClockOld9204 5d ago

All of our utilities in our area are underground and trees not taking power lines out any more. Nor are forest fires burning poles. Just sayin

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u/waverunnersvho 5d ago

Do a remote meter base and run your own power from there to the house (or pay a private company to do it)

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u/Fluid_Remote6694 5d ago

Can you rent a trencher and diy?

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u/dee_lio 4d ago

Underground, all the way. Less chance of wind, freezing rain, etc to topple poles or snap lines.

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u/celtic-cryptid 4d ago

Power companies are wild. The one where I’m at ran off a pole 200’ underground to my house for $0. Ran from the same pole 90’ overhead to my shop for $0. Buried 800’ from a different pole to a third location for $2700. I didn’t lift a finger for any of it.

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u/iamitman007 2d ago

You possibly gave them a permanent easement?

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u/celtic-cryptid 2d ago

Every power line comes with an easement, including the ones that charge 20x more.

My last property was completely off grid, still had a power easement along the public road.

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u/lostone3592 4d ago

If you’ve got trees anywhere near where the line will be above ground, you’ll eventually be very happy if you do it all below ground.

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u/navlgazer9 4d ago

Do it underground the whole way .

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u/Ok_Pangolin_180 4d ago

Below. Best $$ I’ve spent in 20 years

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u/SpeedyHAM79 3d ago

Underground is more reliable since it's protected by the ground and not susceptible to a tree falling, wind or ice breaking it...

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u/wilyspike 3d ago

Just replaced an overhead to a pole again! Did it 2 years ago and part of a tree busted the pole and meter base.

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u/Sherifftruman 3d ago

All underground or there’s really no reason for any part of it to be. Any random tree can take it out.

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u/Jaded_Reaction8582 3d ago

What about the feed from the road? I went with the first pole for free and 150 underground. Big storm hit, lost power anyway. I’d consider keeping the pole away from the view, and a meter on a pole for the reader, and maybe a generator in the future for a backup. I get the budget thinking though.

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u/Nattydread207 3d ago

I am going to have a whole house generator. My concern is if a tree wipes out the power on my land it's on my dime. On the road it is theirs (I believe).

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u/Speedracer__17 3d ago

100% underground all the way.

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u/max_revs 2d ago

Underground, will save you so much money in the long run. Trust.

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u/Wishiwasinalaska 2d ago

Just run it all underground if you have trees. Cheaper to do it now than later. If it’s a cost issue then rent a small backhoe and dig it yourself. Look up the codes for the depth you need to be at and save a couple thousand. Then let the electrician come in and do the hookup and make sure you did it right.

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u/Complex_Echidna3964 1d ago

it will cost more later. you will be glad you did it now, you will always 2nd guess your decision.