Cost To Run Power 500 Feet (Most Detailed Guide)

Running power to a new building or structure can be costly. A variety of factors can affect the overall cost of an electrical service installation. However, the convenience of having ample electrical power can often offset the initial cost of running power 500 feet.

You can expect to pay between $10,000 and $20,000 to install 500 feet of underground electrical service line on your property. Overhead line runs typically cost between $5 – $10 per linear foot. A 500-foot overhead wire run could cost as much as $5,000 or more.

Depending on your utility company you may get a discount if you contract with them for the work. You may be able to complete some of the work yourself to save money. In any case, you must be aware of local requirements and ordinances including permitting and inspection.

You will need to decide what kind of amp service you will be using when running power. This way you know what kind of load will be delivered. Copper wire can get very expensive, so there is a difference in price if you are running a 200 amp service vs a 50 amp service.

An average house uses a 200 amp service so we will be calculating costs to run power 500 feet for a 200 amp service. If you were running it for something smaller, like powering a piece of equipment, you could get away with slightly lower costs.

You will need to check the local codes, to find out if there are any restrictions on what size or type of wire to use. Some places might have minimum requirements or other stipulations. Always check the local rules and codes before starting any large project.

Chances are you have already found a contractor, or you have spoken with the power company about your options. If you are running the power yourself you will have to hire a licensed company to perform the work for you, and they will need to pull a permit.

We do not advise doing any kind of electrical work without experience, a license, and knowledge in the electrical field.

The power company will need to be contacted, regardless of who is doing the work. You may even find out, that in your area, the work has to be done by the power company’s own contractors.

Sometimes the power company will offer discounts, and in some cases, they will even do the work for free! Up to a certain distance of course. Depending on where you live, they can offer discounts of $4,000 or more.

They may run power so many feet for free, and then charge you for the rest of the distance. Once you find out what your options are, you can move forward with your project from there.

Since you will most likely be running your wire underground, you will have to pay for the cost of the trenching. Digging the lines will require trenching equipment as well as guys to perform the labor.

The average cost to hire a company to dig 100 linear feet of tench is $800. So for 500 feet, you would be looking at around $4,000. If you have the help, access to the equipment, and expertise, you could save money by doing the trenching yourself.

Keep in mind that special equipment is needed for a project of this size. In the end, it may be better to use a professional, who has access to the machinery and labor.

Running copper 500 feet has a very expensive price tag. This is why it is a good idea to negotiate with your power company, to find discounts and assistance. To run power to a 200 amp service, you will need to use #2AWG copper wire or aluminum wire.

To run the wire that distance, we suggest using the copper wire, since it will need to deliver that power load 500 ft. Aluminum and even copper-clad aluminum can have problems with delivering power that far.

The average cost for 500 ft of #2AWG wire is $800. You could save money by using copper-clad aluminum and using special copper fittings on the ends, but we suggest going with the full copper wire.

The next cost that goes into running power, is the electrical conduit. The wire must be run underground in conduit. The trench is dug so that the wire can run through the conduit underground.

You should expect to pay $8 per foot to have the conduit run. This includes labor. So you will be looking at another $4,000 for 500 ft of conduit. Now you can see why the costs are so high for running power.

Other costs may come up as well, such as the 200 amp service for a home. You could also pay less if you are powering something much smaller.

Related Questions

How much does it cost for a 50 amp service?

The costs for a 50 amp service may vary by location. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500-$2,000 for the wire, service box, and breaker boxes. This is the average cost for a small project.

Can you get temporary power from the power company?

In some cases, you can get temporary power from the power company. This can be useful if you are building your home, and need power. This also establishes your connection with the power company faster.