I :hopefully: if I ever get a decent job... will be running electricity to a location in the woods behind my parents house where I will be building a house. I was quoted $5,600.00 to run it there underground... this sounds RIDICULOUS!. I think the company is Vectrin or something that does electricity... does anyone have ANY idea's on how I could make this cheaper? Is there any way to do it that I don't know about?
Just looking for some info.. THanks
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Go "off grid" with solar, etc. You could also use "green" toilets, etc. as the cost of running water and sewer (or installing septic) is far more than electricity.
However, there are many ways to do this by living as simply as possible. You can search "off grid housing" at Google and find many who have done so - and find books and leads to an expert or team of experts to guide you.
There would still be certain county or state building codes with which you would have to comply but you can certainly live without electricity - lots of people are doing it and are still quite comfortable. -
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
More info needed,,,how many feet,aprox. are we talking about?? What size wire ?
It is VERY expensive to run this,,but the ONLY way to reduce it is to do as 'MUCH' as you can yourself.
You NEED to know how deep it must be buried. What size conduit is required and best used. (Probably NEVER less than 2" since rodents can bite and chew smaller)
After complying with one call,,or whatever they call it there,,,you can rent a trencher (if power company will allow that) and put in your own conduit(again if allowed) then let them put there wire inside.
BUT you must do it correctly,,,and have a pull wires installed inside already. But they DO allow that here,,,your mileage may vary.
Off grid is possible too,,altho VERY expensive!!
Better first question is,,,are you allowed by zoning or local law to build back there???? Does it require a lot split or other legal mumbo jumbo??? MOST places require one house on one lot!!
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
I'm with Keebler. If you want to live a simple life, and not have a bunch of bills, go off the grid.
It will cost more in the beginning, but I wish I had done that when I was 20 years old.
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
Find out what the rules really are. (but even if there are no rules, you still want to be careful!) How far from your folks' service would your place be? One thought would be, to plan (put it on paper) to install "off the grid" facilities, but for now, just do a minimal temporary installation. But you'd probably find it nice to have a backup, even when you get your dream-system in. (s.h.)... The more you can do yourself the better. Go to the library. Look around for the right book- you want to avoid books that tell you you can't do any of this stuff, but you will have to put in some effort to learn. As a product of an "electrical family" this would admittedly be easier than average for me, but I think if you're careful (electricity is powerful and can be deadly!) and willing to take extra time to learn, it could be a fulfilling and worthwhile project for you. You'll have to buy some equipment, but this will almost surely be useful in the future for repairs, or other projects. (installing lights, etc). DaveS,