Electric cable from a pole to a house typically costs a homeowner $500-$2,500 when a utility or electrician replaces an overhead service connection, but a full service upgrade can reach $2,000-$6,000. The final bill depends on who owns the cable, whether the work involves a new meter or panel, and the distance and access between the pole and house.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead cable or service repair | $300 | $1,200 | $2,500 | Homeowner-paid work; utility charges may differ |
| Service mast and weatherhead | $500 | $1,500 | $3,000 | Depends on roof access and repair scope |
| Meter and panel service upgrade | $2,000 | $3,800 | $6,000 | Commonly includes electrical permit and inspection |
| Overhead-to-underground conversion | $3,000 | $8,000 | $15,000+ | Trenching and utility work drive the total |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for a typical single-family home, standard access, and no major structural repairs. Local utility rules and ownership boundaries can change what the homeowner pays.
What homeowners usually pay for a pole-to-house cable
For a straightforward overhead service repair, homeowners commonly pay $500-$2,500 for the portion assigned to their electrician. A typical bill averages about $1,200 when the existing meter and panel remain in place and only the service entrance conductors, mast, weatherhead, or connections need work. A cable-only estimate may be lower, but the cable is rarely the whole job.
The key pricing question is whether the utility or the property owner is responsible for the damaged section. In many areas, the utility owns and maintains the service drop from its pole to the connection point at the home. The homeowner typically owns equipment from that connection point through the meter and into the panel. Utility rules differ, and some charge for a reconnect, relocation, or special service visit.
Price also depends on whether the work is a repair or a capacity upgrade. Replacing damaged conductors while retaining the same service size may cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service can involve a new meter base, larger conductors, panel work, grounding changes, permits, and utility coordination, bringing the total to roughly $2,000-$6,000.
There is no universal per-foot price for the complete pole-to-house installation. Conductors alone may cost roughly $2-$8 per linear foot, depending on type and size, but electrician labor, fittings, supports, service equipment, and utility coordination usually account for much more. Assumptions: Overhead residential service, typical 100- to 200-amp capacity, and ordinary local labor rates.
How cable, mast, electrician labor, and permits shape the quote
A quote should identify which work is included rather than listing one unexplained cable replacement charge. Conductors may be a small share of the total; access, attachment hardware, weatherhead or mast repairs, panel connections, and scheduling can drive the bill. The table gives common homeowner-side ranges, not a guaranteed utility tariff.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service entrance conductors | $150-$700 | Wire size, length, and material | $2-$8 per linear ft for conductor material |
| Electrician labor | $400-$1,500 | Crew size, access, and service work | $75-$150 per hour per electrician |
| Mast, weatherhead, and fittings | $200-$1,000 | Roof condition and hardware replacement | $200-$800 per assembly |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$500 | City fee and scope of electrical work | $50-$500 per project |
| Utility visit or reconnection | $0-$800+ | Local policy, after-hours work, and relocation | Per service call or project |
Labor is often billed as a fixed project price, though the underlying rate can help explain an estimate. A small repair may take two electricians 3-6 hours; replacement of a mast or service equipment can take most of a day. Ask whether the estimate includes disconnection, reconnection, testing, permit fees, and disposal of old equipment.
Separate utility charges from electrician charges before comparing bids. A utility may perform the pole-side work without a direct homeowner fee, while another may charge for a move, reconnect, or nonstandard visit. Confirm the responsible party and scope in writing with the utility and licensed electrician.
Which distance, amp rating, and roof conditions raise the price?
Longer spans usually require more conductor, stronger support, or a change in attachment location. A short 20- to 40-foot service drop with clear access is generally less complicated than a span of 60 feet or more, especially if trees or neighboring structures interfere. The utility determines acceptable clearances and whether a pole or attachment point must move.
Service capacity matters because wire size and equipment must match the electrical load. A 100-amp service repair may preserve existing equipment, while a 200-amp upgrade can require larger conductors, a new meter socket, panel replacement, and updated grounding. Moving to 320-amp or 400-amp service can cost more and may require utility approval or transformer changes.
Roof geometry can add significant labor. A sound mast with a reachable attachment point may need only minor work; a corroded mast, damaged roof penetration, or steep roof may require new conduit, flashing, or a roofer. Roof repair can add roughly $300-$1,500, with more extensive structural or roofing work priced separately.
Site obstacles also matter. Trees within the required clearance, a deteriorated service attachment, inaccessible meter equipment, or a span crossing a driveway can trigger trimming, relocation, or additional hardware. Tree trimming may add $200-$1,000 or more, while moving service equipment can push a project beyond a routine repair budget.
Expect a higher quote when the job changes the service size, route, or building attachment—not merely the cable. Ask the electrician to state the proposed conductor length, amp rating, equipment being replaced, and any assumptions about utility work. Assumptions: Common residential overhead spans and equipment; local codes and utility specifications control final requirements.
Overhead replacement or underground conversion for a house
Replacing an overhead cable is usually the lower-cost option when the existing route is safe and the utility permits it. A homeowner-side repair or service entrance replacement often falls around $500-$2,500, while utility-owned work may be billed differently or handled by the utility. Keeping the overhead configuration avoids trenching and extensive yard restoration.
Converting an overhead feed to underground commonly costs $3,000-$15,000 or more. The range can include trenching, conduit, conductors, a new meter location, excavation around obstacles, and surface restoration. Utility charges and requirements are separate in some locations, and a long driveway, rock, retaining walls, or paved landscaping can increase the total substantially.
Underground conversion is not simply a choice of buying a different cable. The utility generally specifies the route, trench depth, conduit, and connection method, and may require a new underground service lateral. A homeowner should obtain the utility’s written scope before hiring an electrician or excavator so the two estimates cover compatible work.
For a budget-only decision, compare a complete overhead repair with a fully scoped underground conversion. A low excavation estimate may omit utility work, permits, backfill, driveway restoration, or meter relocation. Underground installation can reduce exposure to wind and falling branches, but it is not automatically cheaper or maintenance-free.
How long electricians and utilities take to replace service cable
A routine homeowner-side repair may require 3-6 hours on site, often with a two-person crew. Mast replacement, panel changes, or grounding work can extend the job to 6-10 hours or a full workday. The crew may need to shut off power while connecting conductors and testing the service.
The utility’s schedule can determine the overall timeline even when the electrician’s work is brief. The utility may need to disconnect the service, inspect the attachment, replace its own drop, or reconnect power after the electrician completes repairs. Scheduling can take a few days or longer, particularly during storms or periods of high outage demand.
Emergency service after a storm or vehicle impact can cost more than planned work. After-hours callouts may add $150-$500 or more, and temporary repairs may not eliminate the need for a permanent replacement. If the cable is sagging, sparking, or touching a tree or structure, occupants should keep away and contact the utility or emergency services as appropriate.
Allow for utility coordination when comparing the quoted labor hours with the calendar time without power. Request the expected outage window, who schedules the utility, and whether a return visit is included. Typical labor rates: $75-$150 per electrician per hour; emergency rates and regional pricing can exceed this range.
Who pays for the drop, meter, and service mast?
Responsibility depends on the utility’s service rules and the precise connection point. The utility commonly maintains the pole and its service drop, while the customer commonly maintains the mast, meter equipment, and wiring on the home side. Some utilities own additional equipment or use different boundaries, so a general rule cannot establish who pays for a particular failure.
Call the utility before authorizing replacement. Ask it to identify the ownership point, whether its crew will inspect or repair the drop, and whether any service visit, relocation, or reconnect fee applies. If the utility identifies a customer-side defect, request the specific repair requirement so the electrician can quote the correct work.
Electrical permits and inspections are commonly required when a service mast, meter base, panel, or service capacity changes. Permit fees can range from about $50-$500, depending on local rules and project scope. Code corrections, such as grounding or bonding updates, may add $200-$1,000 or more if existing equipment does not meet current requirements.
Rebates and tax credits are not generally a dependable way to offset a basic overhead cable repair. Incentives may apply to larger electrical upgrades tied to qualifying equipment or energy programs, but eligibility varies by utility and program. Confirm current rules directly before including an incentive in the budget.
Do not pay twice for work that falls under the utility’s responsibility. Get the utility’s determination before signing a private repair contract, and have the electrician distinguish customer-side work from any utility crew task.
Three sample pole-to-house electrical service quotes
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total. Prices assume ordinary access and typical U.S. labor, and exclude unusual structural repairs. Utility charges may be additional or absent depending on local ownership rules.
| Example scope | Labor and materials | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace damaged 30-ft homeowner-side conductors; retain meter and panel | $550-$1,100 | $75-$250 permit or service fees | $625-$1,350 |
| Replace mast, weatherhead, and conductors on a two-story home | $1,200-$2,400 | $100-$500 permit; possible roof repair | $1,300-$2,900 |
| Upgrade 100-amp service to 200 amps with new meter and panel | $2,200-$4,800 | $100-$500 permit; utility work varies | $2,300-$5,800 |
The first example assumes a short span, intact attachment hardware, and no panel upgrade. The second costs more because elevated roof access and mast installation add labor and weatherproofing work. The third includes more equipment and code-related tasks than a cable replacement, so it should not be compared with a wire-only estimate.
Compare quotes only after confirming that each covers the same amp rating, equipment, permit, and utility coordination. A bid that excludes the meter base or reconnection can appear cheaper while leaving required work unpriced. Ask for a line-item description and a clear statement of exclusions.
How to lower the bill without skipping required electrical work
First determine whether the problem is on the utility side or the homeowner side. A utility inspection can prevent paying an electrician to replace equipment the utility owns. If the defect is customer-side, request a repair-only quote and a separate upgrade quote when the existing service is safe and the current capacity meets household needs.
Keep the project scope focused. Do not replace a functioning panel or move the meter solely because the cable is being repaired unless code, safety, or utility requirements call for it. Conversely, if the equipment is damaged or an upgrade is already needed, combining the work may avoid paying for separate mobilization and reconnect visits.
Get two or three itemized estimates from licensed electricians familiar with the local utility. Compare conductor size and length, mast and meter equipment, grounding work, permit costs, labor, utility coordination, and warranty. Confirm whether taxes, roof repairs, tree trimming, and after-hours charges are excluded.
Scheduling non-emergency work during ordinary business hours can avoid rush fees, and clearing access around the meter or work area may reduce preparation time. Homeowners should not climb near service wires, handle conductors, or attempt DIY disconnection. Only qualified professionals should perform service work, coordinated with the utility.
The safest savings usually come from clarifying ownership and avoiding unnecessary scope, not choosing undersized wire or omitting permits. Assumptions: All electrical service work follows utility specifications, local code, and inspection requirements.