Highlights
Hooking up utilities on a new piece of land requires you to dig into the ground to install lines and wires.
Underground installation for utility lines is pricier than aboveground installation.
While project costs will be lower if you can connect to existing utilities, it's sometimes necessary to pay for your own well, septic tank, or transformer if you're too far away from the nearest source.
Consider hiring an architectural engineer to survey your land, pull the right permits, and create the most efficient plan for installing new lines based on your topography.
When a fresh start on new land means starting from scratch with utilities, owners can expect to pay between $6,225 and $34,550 to set everything up. While the average cost to set up utilities on land is $20,387, the topography, soil type, and land location can all dictate what getting your new digs connected will cost.
Average Cost to Connect Utilities on New Land:
| High Cost | Average Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $34,550 | $20,400 | $6,225 |
How Much It Costs to Get Utilities on Land
Setting up utilities requires coordination between contractors and utility companies. Take a look at what you can expect to pay when setting up essential utilities on your raw land.
Water and Septic: $5,000 to $30,000
Expect to pay more if you have very deep or very shallow groundwater. Both make it harder for local septic companies to install septic systems.
Also, your price will increase if you’re adding water and septic near existing systems close to your property because more time and effort are required if they’re installed within the required distance from existing ones.
Here are some cost ranges when hooking up water to a new property:
Cost of Sewer Line: $1,300–$5,000
Cost to Drill a Well: $5,500–$12,000
Cost of a New Septic Tank System: $3,000–$9,800
Cost to Install Water Main: $600–$2,600
Electric: $1,000
If power lines exist at or near your property line, getting an electricity hookup is generally simple. Expect to pay around $1,000 if this is the case.
If you pay to hire an electrician, the hourly rate is $50 to $100. Factors that can increase the cost for a new electricity hookup include the distance from the nearest pole, the amount of trenching needed, how much vegetation needs to be cleared, and overhead wires versus underground wires. Also consider these electrical factors:
Trenching: $400–$1,200 per 100 linear feet
New transformer: $3,000–$7,000
Natural Gas: $120 to $1,350
If you're hooking up natural gas with help from local gas plumbers, expect to pay between $15 and $25 per linear foot for underground installation. While the average price for a new natural gas hookup is $540, homeowners connecting a property to natural gas for the first time can pay anywhere from $120 to $1,350 around the country.
Telephone/Cable TV: $100 to $200
Getting your property hooked up with a telephone line and cable costs between $100 and $200. If you extend the line more than a house or two away, you may be on the higher end. If you're installing a landline, expect to pay between $50 and $80 per hour for wiring and phone-jack installation services.
Permits: $5 to $2,000
You may want to start by contacting a local architect or civil engineer to help you create a checklist for all utility connections needed on your land for $100 to $200 per hour. This pro can also help you initiate the permit process by letting you know which hookups require permits. Here's a look at common permit costs when connecting utilities to new land, according to HomeAdvisor:
New Well: $5–$500
New Plumbing/Sewer: $5–$500
Septic Systems: $400–$2,000
Electricity: $10–$500
Getting New Utilities Set Up Cost Factors
The biggest cost factor when connecting utilities to new land is the distance from the nearest connection. Contractors handling utility hookups typically charge by linear foot for trenching and pipe installation.
Regional prices set by utility companies also impact the overall cost.
Lastly, soil conditions and topography can impact contractors' prices for trenching. They may charge premiums if you build a home on rocky, hilly terrain that's hard to access.
DIY vs. Hire Professionals to Add Utilities to New Land
Starting from scratch with sewer lines, wells, and electrical poles requires pros with the experience, equipment, and knowledge of permits needed to safely and legally get your home on the grid.
In some cases, homeowners can cut project costs by handling their own trenching in preparation for line installations.
FAQs About Connecting Utilities
Who can connect your utilities when you build a home on new land?
You'll likely work with electricians, plumbers, and your local utility companies to connect your home. Many homeowners breaking ground on new land hire architectural or structural engineers to oversee utility hookups because this is a complicated process that involves trenching new lines through your property.
How do you connect water to new land?
The most common way is to connect to the nearest public water supply by trenching new water lines. If public water isn't available at your property, the safest way to access water for your home's plumbing is to have a well drilled.
Does it cost money to connect your home to landline service?
After paying a contractor to install wires extending from the nearest phone pole, you can contact your local service provider to connect your service for a fee.
