How Much Does It Cost to Run Electric from the Road to Your House? [2025 Data]
The cost to run electrical from the road to your house ranges from $4,000 to $20,000, with an average of $12,250 depending on factors such as length or run and labor.
You’ll pay about $12,250 to run from the road to your house 500 feet.
Installing overhead power lines costs between $4,000 to $7,500 on average.
Underground electricity can be up to 14 times more expensive than overhead electricity.
You'll need trenching and conduit installation before running lines underground.
The cost of running a new electrical service from the road to your house is $12,250 on average for a length of 500 feet. Installing overhead lines costs $4,000 to $20,000 on average. You could pay as little as $3,000 or as much as $25,000 if you need to run lines a long distance across rough or challenging terrain. Most homeowners pay an average of $8 per square foot for this project, including labor and materials.
Cost of Underground Electrical vs. Overhead Electrical From the Road to Your House
One major cost factor when running electrical lines from the road to your house is whether you run the line underground or overhead. Underground electrical lines will typically cost more, ranging anywhere from $500 to $150,000 while overhead costs $250 to $80,000.
For 500 feet of electrical line, the average cost is between $5,000 to $12,500. Installing overhead lines costs for 500 feet costs between $4,000 and $7,500. You’ll also want to factor in the desired length of your electrical line, as longer distances will drive up your final cost.
| Length of Electrical Line | Average Cost for Underground | Average Cost for Overhead |
|---|---|---|
| 50 feet | $500–$1,500 | $250–$500 |
| 100 feet | $1,000–$3,000 | $500–$700 |
| 150 feet | $1,500–$4,000 | $750–$3,000 |
| 200 feet | $2,000–$5,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 300 feet | $3,000–$8,000 | $1,500–$5,000 |
| 500 feet | $5,000–$12,500 | $4,000-$7,500 |
| 1,000 feet | $10,000–$25,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
| ¼ mile | $13,000–$35,000 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| ½ mile | $25,000–$70,000 | $20,000–$40,000 |
| ¾ mile | $40,000–$100,000 | $30,000–$60,000 |
| 1 mile | $50,000–$150,000 | $40,000-$80,000 |
How Much Does It Cost to Install Underground Electric?
While electrical work is always best left to a local professional electrician, underground electrical installation requires multiple professionals. You may need to hire a general contractor and an excavation company, as well.
Labor Costs
Labor costs vary greatly based on how challenging the job is and your location. This job usually requires a few different professionals that can dig a trench, install conduit, and run cable. If you hire a general contractor, they'll bill you and pay the subcontractors themselves. Here’s a breakdown of where your money might go:
General contractors charge 10% to 20% of the project total
Excavators charge between $400 and $1,200
Licensed electricians charge $50 to $100 per hour
Equipment Costs
Equipment and materials account for 30% to 40% of the total project cost. If you have experience operating heavy machinery, you can rent an excavator for around $300 to $550 per day to dig the trench yourself. Still, you're likely better off letting a pro excavator tackle the job.
Trenching Costs
Trenching costs $600 to $1,200 on average, including professional labor and equipment. While some folks like to save money by DIYing this part, it's best to let a professional excavator handle it. You’ll experience significant project delays and cost hikes if you hit existing utility lines, dig in the wrong location, or clear it incorrectly.
Conduit Installation Costs
Installing conduit costs $4 to $8 per linear foot, on top of the trenching costs. You can pay an additional $0.25 per linear foot if you upgrade from standard PVC to non-metallic half-inch PVC pipe, which brings your total to $4.25 to $8.25 per linear foot.
Additional Cost Factors
Consider these additional cost factors when budgeting for this electrical project.
Equipment Costs
Equipment and materials account for 30% to 40% of the total project cost. Common items you may need include an excavator, wiring, a trenching machine, and conduits.
Trenching Costs
Trenching costs $600 to $1,200 on average, including professional labor and equipment. While some folks like to save money by DIYing this part, it's best to let a professional excavator handle it. You’ll experience significant project delays and cost hikes if you hit existing utility lines, dig in the wrong location, or clear it incorrectly.
Conduit Installation Costs
Installing conduit costs $4 to $8 per linear foot, on top of the trenching costs. You can pay an additional $0.25 per linear foot if you upgrade from standard PVC to non-metallic half-inch PVC pipe, which brings your total to $4.25 to $8.25 per linear foot.
Cost to Bury Power Lines
Trenching for electrical service costs $4 to $12 per linear foot. Digging the trench isn't terribly expensive, and the cost is split fairly evenly between labor and equipment. Labor typically costs $5.75 per linear foot, while equipment costs around $4 per linear foot. Also, expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $2,000 on permit costs.
Cost to Upgrade Electrical Panel and Wiring
Whether you're keeping your existing service or upgrading to a 200-amp service, the cost of the trenching, conduit, and new cable is the same. Your cost difference depends on whether you need to install an upgraded electrical panel and if any other wiring costs need to be added to your project total.
200-Amp Service
Upgrading to a 200-amp service costs between $750 and $2,000, including labor and parts. However, if you need to move your electrical panel or update old wiring, you can pay more than $4,000 for this service, on top of the tranching, conduit, and cable-running fees.
50-Amp Service
Because of the demands placed on the electrical services of modern households, 50-amp services are no longer currently installed. More commonly, your home runs on 100- or 150-amp services.
When converting your overhead service underground, you won’t need a new electrical panel or rewiring if sticking with your current amperage. But if you find your current service doesn’t meet your needs, or you want to future-proof your home, then it's smart to upgrade to the 200-amp option.
DIY Running Electric vs. Hiring a Pro
For such a major electrical project, you should not attempt to DIY any part of the job without the proper licensing and skills. Performing electrical work without experience can be extremely dangerous to yourself and others. At the very least, you’ll want to hire a licensed electrician and an excavator. While you may be able to save quite a bit by not hiring a general contractor, the role of a contractor is often invaluable to keep the project running smoothly. Investing in a skilled team of professionals can provide peace of mind, which is priceless.
Repair vs. Replacement
Of course, if your property has existing electrical lines, you have the decision to either upgrade the existing lines or replace them altogether. While it depends on the scope of work, upgrading your electrical usually costs less, ranging from $750 to $4,000. On the other hand, running new electrical lines can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000.
When deciding whether to repair or replace, you’ll want to consider the current condition of your electrical panel and wiring, as well as your utility needs and preferences. Consult with your professional team to compare the costs of repairing vs. replacing.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Running Electric From Road to House
Here are a few budget-friendly ways to save on running electricity from the road to your house:
Reach out to your utility company before hiring any professionals. Some companies may pay for part of the installation, provide a discount, or even run the line for free.
Before selecting your team of professionals, interview each one and gather estimates. While lower prices may be tempting, beware of unusually low prices. You’ll likely have to pay more for quality work.
Complete your project during the off-season, as pros charge more during peak times.
Avoid additional labor costs by regularly touching base with your general contractor. Minimize unnecessary delays by staying organized.
Does Running Electric From Road to House Increase Home Value?
In general, running new electrical lines bolsters the safety, efficiency, and functionality of your home. That significant addition also increases the home’s value. Many homeowners who run new electrical lines or upgrade their electrical panel may see a return of 50% or more.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's less expensive to run power overhead because it doesn’t require excavation, and the power cables are less costly. However, underground electric service is better protected from weather and general wear and tear, so it’s less likely to get damaged. When determining which way to run power, consult a local electrician to get an expect opinion.
How far you can run underground electric depends on the wire gauge (generally AWG) and the circuit voltage. Too much voltage drop in an electrical circuit can negatively affect performance, so the smaller the voltage drop, the better. Ideally, it shouldn't exceed 3%. The smaller the wire and the longer the run, the more significant the voltage drop.
For example, with a 120-volt circuit, you can run 60 feet of 12 AWG cable without losing more than 3% voltage. With a 240-volt circuit, you can run 120 feet of 12 AWG wire while maintaining a voltage drop of 3% or less.
For a 200-amp underground service, you need a minimum of #2/0 American Wire Gauge (AWG) copper or #4/0 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wire. Don’t forget that, at minimum, you’ll need to use a 1 1/2-inch schedule 40 or 80 PVC conduit to successfully run a 200-amp underground service.
Yes, you can run an above-ground electrical conduit and stay within National Electrical Code safety guidelines. Just make sure you check the code requirements of your project with the local building regulations office. You should work with a local electrician to complete this type of project due to the personal safety hazards.
You can bury underground electrical wire six inches deep—but only if you use a rigid metal electrical conduit. For rigid, non-metallic conduits, bury the wire at least 12 inches deep. If using an underground feeder cable rated for direct burial, you'll need to place it at least 18 inches deep, as it has no conduit for extra protection.
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