What it is
Rural electrical work starts where the power company's line stops. On raw land that can mean a long underground or overhead run from the road to a homesite, new poles, a meter base and panel, and working with the electric utility or rural co-op on their part of the job.
Once power is there, rural electricians wire the things city electricians rarely see: the circuit and controls for a well pump, feeders and subpanels for pole barns, shops, and outbuildings, and standby generators that keep the well pump, freezer, and heat running when a storm takes the lines down.
Call your utility or co-op early. They decide where the meter goes, what they will build, and what you pay; HomeGuide notes some utilities run lines up to a certain length for free. Long runs are usually trenched by an excavation crew, often in the same trench plan as the water line where local code allows.
If bringing in lines is not practical, some landowners go off-grid with solar. HomeGuide lists solar as the option when power lines aren't possible; get a solar-specific quote and ask how it will run a well pump.
Typical costs
National ranges from published cost guides. Your price depends on your land, your area, and the job. These are not quotes.
| Item | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Underground power run, per foot | $10 – $25 | HomeGuide |
| Underground run, 500 feet | $5,000 – $12,500 | HomeGuide |
| Overhead power run, per foot | $5 – $15 | HomeGuide |
| Overhead run, 500 feet | $4,000 – $7,500 | HomeGuide |
| New service from an existing road pole to a house | $4,000 – $20,000 (about $12,250 average) | Angi |
| Utility pole, rural or remote, per pole | $1,200 – $5,600 | HomeGuide |
| New transformer | $3,000 – $7,000 | Angi |
| Power to a shed, garage, or shop (50–150 ft) | $500 – $3,800 | HomeGuide |
| Same, including interior wiring | $1,200 – $7,100 | HomeGuide |
| Wiring a shop or metal building | $1,500 – $7,800+ | HomeGuide |
| Standby generator, installed | $1,512 – $8,803 (about $5,156 average) | Angi |
| Generator transfer switch | About $1,200 | Angi |
| Solar, when power lines aren't possible | $10,600 – $26,500 | HomeGuide |
| Electrician, per hour | $50 – $130 | HomeGuide |
Sources checked October 2026. Get at least two or three written quotes.
Questions to ask a contractor
- Have you done long service runs on rural land before? How long was the longest?
- Will you coordinate with my electric utility or co-op, or do I need to? Who pays for their part?
- Underground or overhead for my run, and why? Who digs the trench?
- What size service and wire do I need for the distance, so I don't lose voltage at the far end?
- Is the well pump circuit, barn feeder, and panel included in the price?
- For a generator: what size do I need to run the well pump, and is the transfer switch included?
- Are you licensed where my land is, and who pulls the permit and schedules inspection?
Printable checklist for rural electrical · Glossary
FAQ
Why does running power to my land cost so much?
Distance. Prices are often quoted per foot, and rural lots can sit hundreds or thousands of feet from the nearest pole. Poles, a transformer, and trenching can add to it. See the sourced ranges above.
Will the power company pay for any of it?
Sometimes. HomeGuide notes some utilities run lines up to a certain length free. Rules differ by utility and co-op, so call yours before you buy land or sign a quote.
Do I need a generator if I have a well?
A well pump needs electricity, so when the power goes out, so does your water. Many rural owners add a standby generator for that reason. Ask an electrician to size one for the pump and other must-run loads.
Can my power and water lines share a trench?
Sometimes, with proper separation, depending on local code. Ask your electrician, plumber, and inspector before you dig.
Is off-grid solar a good idea?
It can be where lines aren't practical, but it is a big investment (HomeGuide lists $10,600 to $26,500). Ask an installer how the system will handle the well pump's startup load.