Anyone ever have a power pole moved before?
Has anyone ever had to have a power pole moved before, or priced out the cost to move one or have the power lines moved underground?
Yesterday I drove by a home here in rural northern Calvert County that has been sitting on the market for about three years. It is in a great location, and listed for an unusually low price for this area, and it didn't even look that bad in the online photos (for a foreclosure), so I figured it must have something unusually negative about it that wasn't readily apparent, like "black mold" or whatever. When I finally got to the property, after driving past the many neighboring, beautiful, bigger, newer homes on acreage along the way, I quickly realized what the "problem" was (or at least one of the problems): a huge power pole, complete with a transformer high up on it, was located about sixteen feet from the front of the house, centered on the front door! A power cable ran down from the pole to the ground at an angle, and the overgrown walkway to the door actually led you right under the power cable, brushing by the power pole! (If it had been an arbor or trellis you were walking under, instead of a power pole, it would have been charming, LOL!) Anyway, the power lines seemed to stop at this pole, so I assume it was the "end of the line". Has anyone ever had to move a power pole before, or priced out the cost to move one? Can the cables be run underground, and the transformer put in a standard ground box? (I believe the power company there is SMECO, btw.) (It almost gave you the feeling that the power company had a grudge against the property owner when they located the power pole there, but perhaps the power was put there long before the home? ! ) The house was actually in a beautiful, rural setting, other than the power pole. (And I peeked in, and from what I could tell, the interior wasn't in too bad of shape, considering.Just wondering.....
Thanks!
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we moved and relocated many lines underground. We usually trench the conduit ourselves then the city sends guys to run the cable from the house meter to the pole. I have no idea what this costs in other states, but he it is not that bad. Hardest part is getting power company to show up!
In Atlanta my costs to do this have been between $1200-$3800.
@Erik Peddle Thanks! That isn't too bad, considering. Was that to move it or relocate the powerlines underground? So it sounds like it is one of those things that isn't nearly as expensive as people assume it would be , and it scares away potential buyers. I was guessing $5000-$10,000!
Here in the same county, a friend of mine had an large, older ranch home, built in the 50's, on a gorgeous piece of riverfront property (in a very desirable, upscale, neighborhood), that still had the original electrical meter , and the power cable /electrical feed coming into the house right next to the front door!!! They had a hard time selling that property, and I'm sure one of the big negatives that scared away buyers was that unattractive, very noticeable, electrical feed! What were they thinking back in the day they installed that??
we moved and relocated many lines underground. We usually trench the conduit ourselves then the city sends guys to run the cable from the house meter to the pole. I have no idea what this costs in other states, but he it is not that bad. Hardest part is getting power company to show up!
"Hardest part is getting power company to show up!" I can imagine, LOL! Thanks, Erik. That is encouraging to know that you have done it before!
@Phyllis E. I have done all of the things you have asked about more times than I can count. Here are some things to consider.
1) Is the pole on the property line? If it is on the property line expect the power company to want it to stay on the property line.
2) Is it simply a pole on your property for your service connection? These a easy to get moved.
3) Will you need to have the meter on the house moved to get the service connection and therefore the pole moved. This costs more but often makes things look much better.
4) It sounds like you have a guy wire holding the pole in place. When you talk to the power company make sure to talk to them about guys. They may or may not be able to put the pole in a place that will not require one.
5) Underground always looks better but plan where that transformer will be.
@Account Closed Thanks for the info. This makes it sound more "doable" and worth looking into. It isn't my property so I don't know all the details , but I think it might be along the property line. I was just looking at it as a potential investment property. If the main drawback to this property that has been scaring away investors is that power pole, and if it really isn't that expensive or unfeasible to move it , it might be worth investigating this further, as the location is great and price looks good!
Thanks!
Ask the utility service provider. Some providers incentivize subterranean installations in older neighborhoods. We did a service upgrade (60A to 200A) a few years back as part of a renovation and DEP (Duke Energy Progress) ran about 50 feet for no charge. They hit our water and sewer line with their trencher, but that's a different matter.
@Chris Martin - thanks for the tip, Chris. This is out in the countryside, though. I doubt if the utility company cares, but who knows, it doesn't hurt to ask.