Homeowners, remodelers, and custom-home builders ask the same question at project kickoff: “How much to hook up electricity?” The answer is never one flat rate, because every residence, utility connection, and code requirement is unique. At CountBricks we generate real-time voice-driven estimates that pull current material prices, regional labor rates, and utility fees into one clear number—often before you finish explaining the scope.
The total to bring power from the street transformer to a fully energized service panel falls into three buckets:
• Utility connection charges
• Site and trenching work
• In-home wiring, devices, and inspections
Each bucket changes with property size, service amperage, distance to the pole, and municipal permitting. With CountBricks.com/services you can adjust each variable live and see how it moves the bottom line.
Most U.S. utilities charge a base fee for a new residential drop plus a cost per foot for overhead or underground feeders. Expect ranges of $1,000–$3,000 for overhead and $2,500–$7,500 for underground in dense suburbs. Rural properties can double those numbers due to longer runs. CountBricks references your exact utility tariff while you speak, so no guesswork.
Not every “hook-up” stops at the meter. If your property requires underground service, you’ll need trenching, conduit, warning tape, and backfill. Average residential trenches run 100–150 feet at 24 inches deep, translating to $18–$32 per linear foot including schedule-40 PVC. Rocky soil or hardscape demolition inflates costs rapidly. CountBricks voice AI flags soil conditions captured in blueprints and adjusts excavation hours automatically.
Modern codes call for 200-amp panels to future-proof electric vehicles, heat pumps, and solar backfeed. Material plus install typically hits $2,000–$4,500. Don’t forget grounding electrodes, cold-water bonds, and surge protection—items often missed on DIY spreadsheets but never missed by CountBricks AI.
Once the panel is live, branch wiring distributes power to every receptacle and appliance. Pricing swings by:
• Total square footage
• Number of dedicated appliance circuits
• Level of smart-home integration
On average, full-house wiring lands between $7 and $14 per finished square foot. A 2,400 ft² home therefore ranges from $16,800–$33,600. CountBricks blueprint takeoff converts your PDF plan into an instant receptacle and fixture count, shaving hours off manual markup.
Municipal permits average $150–$750, while third-party inspections can add $250–$500. When your job location is loaded into CountBricks, local fee schedules are applied automatically.
Scenario A: Urban infill lot, overhead service, 100-foot run, 200-amp panel, 2,000 ft² interior.
• Utility & meter: $1,400
• Trenching (minimal): $0
• Panel & grounding: $2,800
• Branch circuits: $15,000
• Permits/inspection: $450
Total: $19,650
Scenario B: Rural acreage, underground trench 300 feet, 400-amp service for shop and EVs, 3,200 ft² home.
• Utility & meter: $5,800
• Trenching & conduit: $8,400
• Dual panels & grounding: $7,200
• Branch circuits: $28,800
• Permits/inspection: $600
Total: $50,800
Both numbers were produced by CountBricks voice capture in under five minutes.
• Loop in your utility early—secondary trenching orders cost double
• Choose copper feeder only where code demands; aluminum SER lowers material spend
• Consolidate exterior loads (HVAC, EV chargers) near the main panel to shorten conduit runs
• Pre-install a 1-inch spare conduit from panel to attic for future solar
• Use CountBricks.com/consultation to lock pricing while commodity markets fluctuate
1. Speak your scope into the CountBricks mobile app
2. AI parses utility data, blueprint dimensions, and present-day material pricing
3. A complete estimate, schedule, and permit checklist appears in seconds
4. Convert the estimate to a branded PDF quote and invoice instantly
5. Track change orders with voice notes that update costs in real time
Does CountBricks include utility lead times?
Yes, our database flags average connection lead times so your schedule aligns with the inspector’s calendar.
Can I DIY any portion to save money?
Homeowners may trench themselves in some jurisdictions. CountBricks clearly isolates labor vs. material so you see exact savings.
What about solar or generator back-feed costs?
Our algorithm adds transfer switches, interlock kits, and net-meter breakers when you select these options during voice entry.
The next time a client asks how much to hook up electricity, open CountBricks, describe the project, and watch a full residential electrical estimate build itself—no spreadsheets, no surprises. Visit CountBricks.com/services to start a free trial today.
A recent CountBricks client planned a 2,800 ft² custom home outside Boston. Initial third-party bids showed $34,000 for full electrical hook-up. Using CountBricks voice estimates, the builder uncovered cost-saving options:
• Swapped copper underground feeder for approved aluminum SER, saving $1,950
• Relocated EV charger near garage sub-panel, removing 42 feet of conduit worth $780
• Combined lighting control and smart dimmers into a single hub, trimming device count by 18 units and $2,100
• Coordinated joint trenching with telecom provider through CountBricks scheduling prompts, sharing excavation fees and saving $1,470
Total reduction: $6,300 without sacrificing code compliance or future expansion.
1. The builder spoke changes on-site; CountBricks recalculated instantly, ensuring updated numbers reached the homeowner that evening.
2. Blueprint takeoff auto-tagged every receptacle and fixture, eliminating manual count errors that often pad bids by 5-10%.
3. Built-in code libraries flagged AFCI and GFCI placement, preventing costly inspector callbacks.
• Download the CountBricks app and open a new estimate
• Enable blueprint AI or snap photos of hand-drawn plans
• Record a 60-second voice note describing service size, footage, and special loads
• Review the autogenerated line items, tweak margins, and export a branded quote
• Use real-time dashboards to track invoicing and material orders all the way to final inspection
Electrical hook-ups are complex, but your estimate doesn’t have to be. Let CountBricks answer “how much to hook up electricity” with speed, precision, and proven savings. Explore more success stories at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
