What To Expect: Utility Connections

When building a new home, one of the most crucial—and sometimes confusing—steps is utility connections. These are the final links that make your house livable, powering your lights, supplying your water, connecting your communications, and ensuring your systems run safely and efficiently. At Kimball Construction, we focus on every detail to make sure the connections are done correctly the first time.

Utility connections bring services like water, electricity, gas, sewer, stormwater, and communications into your home from the public infrastructure or utility grid. While some of this work begins earlier in construction, the actual connection—the physical tie-in to live utility systems—happens toward the end of the rough-in phase and again before final occupancy. This phase isn’t just technical—it’s regulatory, logistical, and highly coordinated.

Take electricity for example. At Kimball Construction, one of the first decisions we help homeowners make is whether their power will be connected overhead or underground. In many newer subdivisions, underground utilities are required for aesthetic and safety reasons. This means we route the electrical service through conduit from a transformer or junction box straight into the home. Overhead power, on the other hand, involves utility poles and wires that run above ground to a weatherhead mounted on the exterior of your house.

So how do we determine where to make these connections? It starts during the planning phase. Kimball Construction collaborates with surveyors, engineers, and utility providers to map out where each service enters your property. For instance, we look at the nearest utility access points—such as a power transformer, gas main, or water meter—and decide on the shortest and most efficient connection path. The goal is always to reduce cost and maintain long-term reliability.

For power and communication lines, we also consider potential interference and future accessibility. If your driveway, landscaping, or retaining walls could block access, we’ll adjust the route early. Every connection point must comply with local codes, spacing requirements, and clearance rules. For example, an overhead electrical drop must be a minimum height above driveways and walking paths to ensure safety.

Water and sewer connections, though less visible, are equally important. These connections tie into municipal mains and must be pressure-tested and inspected. Kimball Construction ensures each connection is in the correct location to match your home’s interior layout—so that plumbing, gas appliances, and HVAC systems align perfectly with service entries.

In addition to the physical tie-ins, there’s an administrative step many homeowners don’t anticipate: applying for new utility accounts. Before services can be activated, homeowners must submit applications to each utility provider. This step can’t be skipped, and timing is important—especially when coordinating with final inspections and occupancy permits. Kimball Construction simplifies this step by walking homeowners through the application process. We help complete and submit all necessary paperwork, making sure everything aligns with the construction timeline.

Utility companies often require scheduling lead times for final connections. Electrical meters, gas meters, and water service taps are usually installed only after rough-in inspections are passed. These components are installed by the utility companies themselves, but Kimball Construction ensures your home is ready, safe, and accessible for those teams when they arrive.

Timelines can vary. Ordering services can take up to three weeks, depending on the provider’s backlog. Once scheduled, actual connections—such as installing a meter or energizing a line—may only take a day or two. However, everything must be coordinated tightly to avoid delays in the final stages of construction. That’s where our experience pays off. We communicate daily with utilities to keep things moving.

We treat each utility connection as part of a carefully orchestrated sequence. By handling layout, permitting, contractor scheduling, and coordination with utility companies, Kimball Construction removes the stress and keeps your home on track for move-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have underground or overhead power?

That depends on your neighborhood’s requirements and available infrastructure. Kimball Construction helps determine the best method based on aesthetics, budget, and code compliance.

How do I know where the utilities will connect?

We plan each utility entry point in coordination with utility providers and your home’s design. You’ll know where everything connects before any installation happens.

Do I need to contact the utility companies?

You’ll need to set up accounts in your name. Kimball Construction assists with all utility applications to make this step seamless.

What if utility access is far from my home site?

We’ll identify the most efficient route and work with utility companies on extension options. This may add time or cost, but we’ll guide you through every step.

How long does it take to get final utility connections?

Once inspections are done, utility connections usually take 1–3 weeks to schedule and 1–2 days to install. We manage the timeline so you’re not left waiting.

Are all utility services included in my contract?

Most utility connection work is included. If additional offsite work is needed, we’ll provide a clear estimate in advance and get your approval before moving forward.

Your home isn’t truly complete until the utility connections are in place and functioning. At Kimball Construction, we manage every step—overhead or underground, electric or gas—to ensure your home is connected safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Would you like to explore more about how we manage new home construction from start to finish?