How much does it cost to get utilities on land?
How much does it cost to get utilities on land?
$2,500 – $12,500 average cost to run electricity
$6,000 – $20,000 average cost to install well & septic system
$9,000 – $34,500 average total cost (electricity, water, gas, & septic)
Cost to get utilities on land
The average cost to get utilities on vacant land is $9,000 to $34,500+. The cost to run electric from the road to the house is $2,500 to $12,500 or $5 to $25 per linear foot. The cost to install a water well and septic system is $6,000 to $20,000.
| Project | Cost per linear foot | Average total cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| Running electricity | $5 – $25 | $2,500 – $12,500 |
| Installing water well and septic system | $60 – $120 | $6,000 – $20,000 |
| Connecting to city water | $25 – $200 | $1,000 – $6,000 |
| Connecting to city sewer | $50 – $200 | $1,600 – $10,900 |
| Installing natural gas lines | $12 – $25 | $500 – $2,000 |
| Installing propane tank | – | $700 – $5,700 |
Average cost to run utilities to land
The following table shows the average cost to run electricity, natural gas, and install a well and septic system on vacant land.
| National Average Cost | $22,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $6,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $100,000+ |
| Average Range | $9,000 to $34,500 |
Cost of installing and connecting utilities per service
Major factors affecting installation and connection costs include:
Proximity to the closest utility lines
Distance from the house to the property edge
Building and zoning regulations
Site conditions and soil type
Installation type – Underground installations typically cost more than above-ground work.
Preparing the property for utilities
Preparing a property for utilities may involve several projects, depending on the location and site conditions:
A new construction land survey costs $400 to $1,800 and defines the property's boundaries and topography.
Land clearing costs $1,150 to $3,680 to clear the land to build a house.
Grading land costs $1,000 to $5,000 for an average home lot, while leveling a yard costs $500 to $5,000, depending on the size, slope, soil type, and amount of fill dirt needed.
Home site excavation costs $1,500 to $10,000 or $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard, depending on the soil type, depth, and number of obstructions.
Cost to run electricity to land
The average cost to run power to land is $5 to $25 per linear foot, depending on the distance and whether underground or overhead service. Some companies run new electrical lines up to a certain length free of charge.
Bringing electricity to land often involves:
Trenching – Trenching costs $5 to $12 per foot to dig a trench for electrical conduit.
Electrician – Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour to install the home's meter socket and pull the lines through the conduit from the nearest transformer to the house.
Power company – The utility company installs the meter and completes the connection.
Utility poles – Utility pole installation costs $1,200 to $5,600 per pole to extend power lines to a rural or remote property. Utility poles span about 125' from pole to pole in cities and about 300' in rural areas.
Solar panel installation costs $10,600 to $26,500 if running electrical lines is not possible.
Cost to install well and septic on land
The cost to install a well and septic system is $6,000 to $20,000+, depending on the well depth and diameter, pump type installed, and the septic system size and type.
Well drilling costs $15 to $25 per foot for the drilling alone, while complete well installation costs $25 to $65 per foot. Most residential wells are 100' to 300' deep.
Installing a septic tank system costs $3,500 to $8,500 for a conventional anaerobic system or $10,000 to $20,000 on average for an aerobic system.
Most well and septic systems cost more up front to install but cost less per month to run than public water and sewer fees.
Cost to connect to city water and sewer
The cost to connect to city water depends on the location, site conditions, and the distance from the main line to the home.
Water line installation costs $25 to $200 per linear foot or $1,000 to $6,000+ for labor, materials, and municipal fees.
Sewer line installation costs $50 to $200 per linear foot or $1,600 to $10,900+, including labor, materials, and connection fees.
A water meter costs $300 to $800. Some municipalities include a water meter and line installation up to a certain linear footage, while others charge separate installation, connection, and meter fees.
Consider a well and septic system if main public lines are far from the property edge. Extending main water and sewer lines often costs more than installing a well and septic system.
Cost to install natural gas or propane
Natural gas line installation costs $500 to $2,000 on average or $12 to $25 per linear foot, depending on the gas company, distance from the main line, and accessibility. Some gas companies cover the installation costs up to a specified footage.
Propane tank installation costs $700 to $5,700 for labor and materials, depending on the tank size, model, and whether installed above ground or underground.
Cost to put in telephone jacks or cable TV / internet
The average cost to put in telephone jacks or cable TV is $100 to $400 per jack, including labor.
Costs are lower for new construction and higher for installations involving drywall repair.
Installers typically use Cat5 or Cat6 cable as these wire sizes handle phone, internet, and cable.
Contact the local provider to confirm any additional costs associated with bringing the service to the property. Extending cable service to remote or undeveloped land may cost $20,000 to $250,000+.
Consider including a landline in new construction as landlines work during power outages while cell phone towers' backup generators only work for a limited time.
Permits to add utilities to land
Adding utilities to land often requires multiple permits and inspections. Hire an architect or general contractor to oversee projects involving multiple utilities to ensure all installations flow smoothly and are up to code.
Permits cost $500 to $2,000 on average for large projects involving multiple utilities, but fees in some areas reach $10,000 to $20,000+.
Hiring an architect costs $100 to $250 per hour or 5% to 20% of the total construction cost.
A general contractor charges $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20%+ of the total project cost.
Contractors typically pull the permits and include permit and inspection fees in the estimate.
Many jurisdictions also charge impact fees of $1,000 to $12,000+ to add utilities to land. Impact fees pay for the infrastructure and other public costs associated with the new proposed land development.
How to get utilities on a property
Follow these steps to get utilities on a property:
Contact the local planning and zoning department to confirm the property is serviceable by public utilities.
Consult a building contractor to create a design plan showing where each utility will run and connect to the home.
The building or general contractor handles the permitting process and coordinates the utility connections. Each utility has different permit, installation, and inspection requirements.
Call 8-1-1 or go to your state's 811 center website to request marking of any buried primary utility lines near the property. The 811 Dig Alert center is the hub for all local utilities and the marking service is free.
FAQs to hook up utilities
How long does it take to put in utility connections?
Putting in utility connections takes 6 to 12+ weeks, depending on the permitting process, distance to the main lines, and whether the installation requires an easement to cross neighboring properties.
The permitting process alone takes several weeks or months in some areas.
Connecting underground utility lines typically takes longer than overhead utility service installation.
Who can connect your utilities on vacant land?
Contact the local planning and zoning or building department and provide the lot address or assessor's parcel number for information on who can connect your utilities on vacant land.
Alternatively, search the county name online to find out which public utilities service the area, then contact them directly for next steps.
Check the power company listed on the pole nearest to the vacant land for the company most likely to service the property.
Getting estimates from utilities installers
Before hiring a general contractor to install utility lines, be sure to:
Contact each utility company to confirm what they do and do not cover for new connections.
Get at least two to three in-person estimates to compare.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Search for a licensed, bonded, and insured company that has been in business more than 5 years.
Avoid going with the lowest bid as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the project starts.
Never pay in full before the job is complete and passes inspection.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Can you provide local references with contact information?
What experience do you have installing and connecting utilities?
Do you handle the permits and inspection process?
Can you provide a breakdown of what is included in the estimate?
What additional costs might come up during installation?
How long will it take to connect the utilities?
Do you offer a warranty? If so, what does it cover?