How Much Does It Cost to Get Utilities on Land? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $6,500 – $30,000

The cost to get utilities on land ranges from $6,500 to $30,000 on average based on your location, soil type, utilities needed and more. 

How much does it cost to get utilities on land? When a fresh start on new property also means starting from scratch with utilities, you can expect to pay between $6,500 and $30,000 (or more) to set everything up. The average cost to set up utilities on land is $20,400, but the topography, soil type, land location, and the exact utilities you need can all dictate what getting your new digs connected will cost.

Cost Factors for Getting Utilities on Land

There are a few different factors that you should consider when budgeting for the cost to get utilities on land.

Four Things that make new expensive utilities more expensive

1. Lack of sewer access: Requires septic installation
2. Distance from utility sources: Many contractors charge by linear foot for wiring/piping
3. Close proximity to other homes: Some utilities require distance
4. Underground utilities: Requires trenching

Distance From Nearest Connection

The biggest cost factor when connecting utilities to new land is the distance from the nearest connection. Contractors handling utility hookups typically charge by linear foot for trenching and pipe installation. 

For instance, natural gas lines may cost $5 to $25 per linear foot, and trenching for electrical lines or other utilities that need lines buried underground may cost $400 to $1,200 for every 100 linear feet. Installing a septic system and well typically costs about $60 to $120 per linear foot, while connecting to public water can cost up to $200 per linear foot.

Utility	Average Cost per Linear Foot
Natural gas	$5–$25
Electric	$4–$12
Septic	$60–$120
Water	$200

Soil Type

Soil conditions and topography can impact contractors’ prices for trenching. They may charge premiums if you build a home on rocky, hilly terrain that’s hard to access. On the flip side, land that’s flat and has minimal rocks and other obstacles (like trees) will mean a lower cost for you.  

Permits

You may want to start by contacting a local architect or civil engineer to help you create a checklist for all utility connections needed on your land. These pros typically charge $100 to $200 per hour. They can also help you initiate the permit process by letting you know which hookups require permits and applying for them (but you’ll still have to pay for the permits). 

Here’s a look at common permit costs when connecting utilities to new land:

Permit Type	Average Cost
Well	$5–$500
Plumbing/sewer	$50–$500
Septic system	$450–$2,300
Electricity	$10–$500

Cost to Get Utilities on Land by Utility Type

The average cost to install utilities on new land is about $20,400 on average, but the final cost will depend on what utilities you decide to install, the soil conditions, the topography, and other factors. Below, you can see what the cost breakdown per utility looks like.

Utility	Average Cost
City water	$1,000–$6,000
Well water	$3,000–$15,000
City sewer	$1,500–$11,000
Septic	$5,000–$30,000
Electric	$10,000–$30,000
Natural gas	$500–$3,500
Phone/cable	$100–$200

Water and Septic

Expect to pay more if you have very deep or very shallow groundwater. Both make it harder for local septic companies to install septic systems. Also, your price will increase if you’re adding water and septic near existing systems close to your property.

Here are some common costs you may run into when hooking up water to a new property:

• Cost to install sewer lines: $1,400–$5,700
• Cost to drill a well: $1,500–$6,000
• Cost of a new septic system: $3,400–$11,400
• Cost to install water main: $600–$2,700

Electric

If power lines exist at or near your property line, getting an electricity hookup is simple. Expect to pay around $1,000 if this is the case.

If you pay to hire an electrician, the hourly rate is $50 to $100. Factors that can increase the cost for a new electricity hookup include the distance from the nearest pole, the amount of trenching needed, how much vegetation needs to be cleared, and overhead wires versus underground wires. Also consider these electrical factors:

• Trenching cost: $400–$1,200 per 100 linear feet 
• New transformer cost: $3,000–$7,000

Natural Gas

If you’re hooking up natural gas with help from local gas plumbers, expect to pay between $15 and $25 per linear foot for underground installation. While the average price for a new natural gas hookup is $540, people connecting a property to natural gas for the first time may pay up to $3,500.

Phone/Cable TV

If streaming hasn’t yet caught on in your household or you still want a landline, getting your property hooked up with a telephone line and cable costs between $100 and $200. If you extend the line more than a house or two away, you may pay on the higher end of that range. If you’re installing a landline, expect to pay between $50 and $80 per hour for wiring and phone-jack installation services.