Utilities For
Home Building Projects

It will be helpful in the home building process, if you don't have to wait until the house is completed before you have ready access to basic utilities. Having some temporary solutions an place can save you some headaches along the way. Here are some things to consider along those lines.

electricity

You’ll need electricity at the site during the construction process. Your electrician can install temporary service in the form of a meter, breaker box, and outlets on a pole. This is called the “saw service.”

He will probably have to permit this facility and coordinate with the local power utility to get it installed. This needs to be done early, especially before the framing gets underway.

If worse comes to worse, however, electric power can always be supplied by a portable generator. If you are responsible for supplying power (under the terms of your Subcontractor Agreement), you can rent a generator by the day from any good tool rental store.

water

The main thing you’ll need water for is to mix mortar for masonry work, and for cleaning up.

Of course you could haul water in or buy it from a neighbor, but it’s really a lot nicer to have it available on site.

Whether you are tapping into municipal water lines or putting in a well, you may as well go ahead and do it. Talk to your municipal utility company to determine fees and timing.

Then you can have a pipe with a spigot to supply your needs. Later the service can be hooked up to your new home.

sanitary facilities

If there are neighbors nearby or you expect coed working conditions, you may want to rent a portable toilet.

You just never know when an inspector may show up.

Seriously, unless you have other acceptable facilities readily available, you definitely need to get a portable toilet. They are very reasonable, and your privacy and sanitation will be assured.

If your are going to have a septic tank for your new home, why not go ahead and get it in place before you start construction? If you have your well or water connection in place, you could set up a really classy "out house" - one with a working toilet!

For additional information about preparing for construction,
see Lessons Thirteen of our online course
Successful Home Contracting.

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Temporary Home Building Utilities