How Much Does It Cost to Connect Utilities to Land?

Purchasing land can be exciting, especially if you’re building your dream home or planning a business venture. However, developing a piece of land requires careful planning, especially when it comes to connecting utilities to make a property livable and functional.

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So, how much does it cost to connect utilities to land?

How Much Does It Cost to Connect to City Water?

Before you start building on your land, it's important to connect to a water source. This process involves pulling permits, installing a water meter and having the city run a service pipe from the main water line to your property. You’ll need to pay a hookup fee, line installation costs and potentially a charge for the water meter. According to data from HomeGuide, the average cost to run the line is between $25 and $200 (CAD 35 and CAD 277) per foot, depending on where you live and the soil type. Overall, expect to pay between $1,000 and $6,000 (CAD 1,385 and CAD 8,312) for the connection.

How Much Does It Cost to Connect to Public Sewer?

Public sewage is another essential utility service. Water and sewer services are typically provided together, and most cities’ water and sewer bills also include garbage and recycling fees. When you sign up for water services, you may also connect to the sewer system. However, in some municipalities, both services aren’t provided — you may have access to city water without sewer services or vice versa.

Connection costs average between $1,600 and $7,200 (CAD 2,216 and CAD 9,974), depending on the distance to the nearest sewer line and local hookup fees. In rural areas with an established infrastructure, costs can be significantly lower. In new or undeveloped regions, extensive trenching and materials can increase costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Run Power to Property?

Electricity may be required to make your land livable or if you plan to run a business on the property. Before purchasing, check whether the land can be connected to the power grid. Costs to install power lines depend on several factors, including how far the property is from the nearest power source, accessibility, terrain, local utility rates, the type of connection and the load requirements. On average, underground utilities cost between $5,000 and $12,500 (CAD 7,620 and CAD 17,317). Above-ground utilities cost between $4,000 and $7,500 (CAD 5,541 and CAD 10,390).

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Well?

If city water isn’t available or you prefer independence from municipal water, a well may be the best option. Factors that influence costs include the location and the type and depth of the well. The average well is between 30 and 50 feet deep, but expect to pay more for deeper wells and those installed in areas with hard rock or challenging soil conditions. You’ll also need to consider the diameter of the well, the type of pump and labor costs.

Drilling a well costs between $3,750 and $15,300 (CAD 5,195 and CAD 21,196). Ongoing maintenance expenses and water testing can increase costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Septic System?

Septic systems provide on-site wastewater treatment for properties without access to city sewer services. Installation costs vary with the type of system and the condition of the surrounding soil. Conventional systems that rely on gravity to move wastewater away from the structure are typically less expensive than aerobic or mound systems that require pumps or siphons. A conventional tank system costs between $3,500 and $8,500 (CAD 4,849 and CAD 11,776). Engineered systems cost between $7,000 and $20,000 (CAD 9,698 and CAD 27,707).

Most plumbers perform a percolation test before installing a septic system to determine the soil's absorption rate. This test, along with the required permits, can add several hundred dollars to the total installation costs.

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How Much Does It Cost to Hook Your Home up to Natural Gas?

Natural gas is an efficient source of heat. The cost of running a natural gas line depends on how far your structure is from the main line. Expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 (CAD 693 and CAD 2,771), depending on labor costs for trenching and the length of piping required.

How Much Does It Cost to Connect Utilities to Land?

Beyond basic utilities, there are other services you might want to consider, such as internet and cable services and telephone lines. When it comes to how much it costs to connect utilities to land, the exact costs depend on what type of service you have. Installing cable or internet jacks costs between $100 and $400 each (CAD 139 and CAD 554), including labor. Running the lines to your property is comparable to running power lines.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.