Utility Service Pole Replacement

[Magic Static]

I discovered last week my need to replace my utility service pole is quite urgent. I have been talking to people about it for a couple of years. But I never heard anyone say anything about having it done or who does that. The job will be very hard labor. Because of all the things in the ground close to the pole it will need hand dug and the ground is insanely rocky right there and big rocks too. The original pole was installed by morons. I'm surprised it's standing this long,17+ years. Well you would think I could get a half dozen bids on the job with all the electrical contractors in the book, but after talking to the ones that answer the phone and those that returned my calls I got only two guys to look at it and not one bid yet. Yikes! This isn't going to be a happy ending, but I probably will pay for it. I can't think of any other kind of business to call and get that kind of thing done. There was a time I would have done it myself but not anymore.

 

[Jason S]

Are there any rural electric co-op or pole barn companies in the area that might take it on as a side job?

 

[Magic Static]

That's a thought. I was hoping to find some experienced folks that have the proper equipment. But if worse come to worse I'll hire the labor and foreman the job myself I guess. I have access to a pile of poles on pdiddy's place

 

[FaT Air]

As in your electric service comes in via it? If yes, your electric company should do it for nothing.

 

[AZ.]

As in your electric service comes in via it? If yes, your electric company should do it for nothing.

Well actually, it really depend where the pole is.....Most utility above ground only can span so far, so if your beyond that part, its your pole and your responsibility....

IMO, the only people who have the right background to due this work is the power company!...And if you hire some smuck, make sure there bonded and insured!.....Something happens on your pole on your property, look out....

 

[Magic Static]

The power companies responsibility stops at the top of the pole unfortunately. It was power company rules that forced me into the pole to start with I had a meter base in the back wall of the house but it can't be in the wall, it has to be on the wall (surface mounted).

 

[FaT Air]

Well actually, it really depend where the pole is

True, but:

As in your electric service comes in via it? If yes,

 

[Magic Static]

The way it gets done is the utility companies come out and take down their drops on the pole first. then the pole is replaced and then inspected and services reinstalled. There is electric, phone, and cable to the pole and the meter base is on it as well as the phone and cable terminal boxes. My AC condenser/compressor stands next to it too.

 

[harshness]

I have yet to see a power company install a service entrance pole. Not saying that it can't happen but I haven't seen it.

I recently did a similar setup and I had to set the pole and the trench for the conduit. The local lumber company delivered the pole. Not much in the way of rocks, but lots of roots (augers and roots are largely incompatible). The electricians did the box, conduit and weather head as well as obtaining the necessary permit and coordinating the inspection.

I had to go back afterwards and install a septic vent pipe on the pole and chase after the electrician to pick up their garbage.

 

[fred555]

Where I live, out in the boonies, my electrical coop does not do overhead lines to houses anymore.
They go underground from the powerlines to your house. It cuts down on downed power line calls.

 

[Magic Static]

A few blocks from me a power company truck snagged a low hanging cable drop and pulled a service pole down. It ends up being the cable co.s fault for hanging a drop too low and they hired a local company to replace the pole for them.

 

[Magic Static]

The first bid just came in @"not to exceed $1892.00"

 

[AZ.]

A few blocks from me a power company truck snagged a low hanging cable drop and pulled a service pole down. It ends up being the cable co.s fault for hanging a drop too low and they hired a local company to replace the pole for them.

Yes....must of proved what the did was against code....

 

[Juan]

The way it gets done is the utility companies come out and take down their drops on the pole first. then the pole is replaced and then inspected and services reinstalled. There is electric, phone, and cable to the pole and the meter base is on it as well as the phone and cable terminal boxes. My AC condenser/compressor stands next to it too.

not sure..but wouldn't they put the new pole up first so that the customer doesn't lose service? atleast thats how it is done on the east coast. It would seem rather crazy to remove live wires and lay them on the ground

 

[beavs2112]

The first bid just came in @"not to exceed $1892.00"
View attachment 116763 View attachment 116764

Sorry you might have to go to such expense. Whats wrong with that pole? I'm no expert but it doesn't look nearly as bad as some i've seen out in the countryside leaning at a 30 degree angle. To me it looks like the pole is definitely part of THEIR infrastructure so their cost. I disagree that their point of demarc should be the top of the pole .... It should be at the meter. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Juan]

Sorry you might have to go to such expense. Whats wrong with that pole? I'm no expert but it doesn't look nearly as bad as some i've seen out in the countryside leaning at a 30 degree angle. To me it looks like the pole is definitely part of THEIR infrastructure so their cost. I disagree that their point of demarc should be the top of the pole .... It should be at the meter. Just my humble opinion.

depends who installed the pole

 

[Magic Static]

There almost isn't any pole left underground. All rotted. The replacement has to go in the same spot or you have to change all the services from the pole into the house. The electrical stuff ain't cheap.

 

[Magic Static]

If that pole came down on its own, it would pull the drop across one of my C-Band dishes. Not what I want to see. I was hoping to get it done for $1500 including the pole. First bid includes a 24' 6"x 6" pressure treated green post.

 

[osu1991]

That price isn't bad. It costs one of my City clients roughly $2200-2500 to replace wooden utility poles, depending on circumstances.

 

[Magic Static]

After a little investigation on this job I found a real "gotcha" in here. My meter base and installation isn't up to code. It all needs replaced. No S**t Sherlock. I felt it needed replaced a day after the idiots put it up. What I can't figure is how they got the inspector to pass it. Of course nobody was going to tell me about this until the power company goes to hook me back up and it won't pass inspection. And then the bid just went up another $1500.
One guy wants to cut my plum tree so he can get a backhoe in there. "If we break stuff we just fix it" he says. "I don't do anything by hand" "$2800 cheap" he says. I'm going to talk to a guy today who seems to be on top of it and isn't out to break my bank.