I mentioned utilities upgrades here. In order to install the electric service upgrade, we had to dig a giant trench through the yard AND tear up the sidewalk. The tear up the sidewalk we had to get a permit from public works. To get the permit you need the approved electric service application (which SHOULD have a sketched plan showing exactly where to cut the trench to reach the connection point–ours didn’t have this so we had to go back and request it after the fact) and a copy of your contractor’s liability insurance.

My what a mess.

Generally, as I understood it, the process should go like this and means you only lose 1 day of power:

1. Dig the trench per the plan/specs.
2. Schedule an inspection date with the electric inspector and the building inspector on the same day.
3. Call for the existing power to be shut off the morning of that inspection date.
4. After power is shut-off, lay the conduit pipe and install the new panel scaffold.
5. Backfill the trench (*don’t forget to add a red caution tape that says “Electric” or something like that–this is a new requirements to increase safety for people digging in the yard)
6. Proceed with the scheduled inspection with building and electric. (There is some test the electric inspector does…but hopefully they both approve and you are good.)
7. Pull the electric line from the street sidewalk opening to the panel and connect to the panel.
8. Call for electric to re-connect power.

NOTE: This reconnect is still considered “conditional”. I had to sign a paper that says I will not occupy the building until the conditional power is lifted (i.e. the permit is closed).

COMPLICATIONS…

Utilities have proven difficult because we are dealing with too many people (building/public works/utilities/electrician/contractor) that seem to interpret the rules or procedure differently!

First Problem: The electrical inspector came by to inspect the trench and said things looked great, ready to go. But we also need approval from the building inspector… come to find out… even though we had applied and were approved for the electrical upgrade (125 AMP to 200 AMP) somehow we forget to include that on the building plans (blame the architect?). So… I had to go to the building department and submit a revision. They let me fill out the “Simple load calculation sheet” to show that when all appliances and lights etc are installed the service is sufficient for our needs. Then we red-lined the plans over the counter to mark the existing electric panel with a service upgrade. This was a stressful last minute change (didn’t want to delay anything else in the last few weeks), but luckily the folks at the building department were helpful and understanding!

Second Problem: The contractor was planning to just lay the conduit pipe and then backfill the trench before inspection, but the building inspector told him he had to have all the fuses installed in the panel first. When the electric inspector came the next day to turn the power back on he said they weren’t supposed to do that yet–they have to take the line out, do some test, and re-pull it. Groan.

Third Problem: Scheduling delays. I gave up trying to figure out what my contractor was doing. By the time he had the proper inspections and finally got power turned back on… we were NINE days without power. Luckily my amazing neighbor let us use her electricity by means of extension cord so that guys could continue work on the house (sawing trim, paint sprayers, nail guns…).