Building and renovation services

Service connection time varies depending on:

• The complexity of your project
• The number of projects we have in progress

For information about your specific project, contact your job owner.

After we receive your application for gas or electric service, you will be contacted by a PG&E representative within three days.

• If a site visit is necessary, the typical wait time for an appointment is two weeks.

Any trenching, plumbing or electrical work that is required to prepare for your new gas or electric service is your responsibility.

• You may do this work if you are qualified or you may choose to hire a licensed contractor.

Building and renovation projects are subject to many standards. The State of California issues plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes. Each city and county has its own rules.

• You’re responsible for securing all required permits and arranging inspections.
• We verify that you’ve met these requirements.
• We may perform additional inspections before connecting your gas or electric service.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates the installation and delivery of gas and electric services. PG&E does not establish services until gas piping and electric services facilities conform to CPUC regulations. In addition to CPUC regulations, PG&E has further standards to ensure that we provide safe and reliable power.

The SACAC is the estimate of costs that you list on Form 79-1003.

• You must complete and sign this form when you request gas or electric service.
• If you hire a contractor for your project, your contractor should estimate this cost for you.

Are you working on a construction project or using electrical equipment at your site before regular electric service is installed? You probably need temporary power.

• Get more info on requesting temporary power. Download Electric Service Temporary Construction Power (PDF).
• To request temporary power, call 1-877-743-7782 or apply online. Visit "Your Projects."

Many manufacturers include energy usage info in user manuals or on the equipment.

• Your plumbing or electrical contractor can also help you determine these loads.

Note: PG&E must approve the placement of your gas meter.

Follow these guidelines for installing your gas meter:

• Place your gas meter outside of the structure in an easily accessible area that is protected from corrosion and other damage, including possible vandalism.
• When the meter must be placed near oncoming vehicle traffic, install the meter as far as possible from traffic or surround the meter with barrier posts or bollards.
• When possible, locate the meter in a breezeway that is well ventilated by outside air. Ideally, one end of the breezeway opens into a large, unobstructed space and the other end includes two vents. At a minimum, both ends must have vents at the top and bottom of the space.
• When possible, hire a qualified plumber to help you install your gas meter in the ideal location.
• When you’re requesting electric service along with gas service, ensure that there is adequate separation between the gas and electric meters.

Find preferred gas meter locations. Visit electric and gas service requirements.

Yes. You must be present when your gas meter is set.

• When we set the meter, we also check your appliances and light any pilot lights.

We recommend that you hire a qualified electrician to help avoid common problems in installing panels.

• In areas with overhead lines, we install a drop from the distribution point to an attachment point on your property.
• This drop must meet our specifications, including clearance from the ground and distance from electric service facilities.
• If possible, the connecting span should not cross any adjacent properties.
• The electrical panel for underground service should be attached to a wall, if possible.

Note: PG&E must approve the locations of all transformers and meters. We must also approve the sizes, types and quantities of conduit.

• Find preferred electric meter locations. Visit electric and gas services requirements.
  

If you’re also requesting a gas service, ensure that you have adequate separation between the gas and electric meters.

• For details, reference Section 2 Gas Service from the following file. Visit Section 2 Gas Service (PDF).

No. You do not need to be present when the meter is accessible to our crews.

• However, if your electrical panel is energized by jumpers from an old panel, the jumpers must be removed by a licensed electrician before we can set the meter.

We recommend that you hire an experienced trenching contractor to avoid typical problems. Reference the following guide to get started.

• Download Building and Renovations Services Trenching (PDF).

1. Contact your PG&E representative for the phone number to your local trench inspection desk.
   • Your local trench inspection desk can help you schedule an appointment with a PG&E trench inspector.
2. You must be present during the trench inspection appointment.
3. After the inspection is complete, the inspector provides you or your trenching contractor with the results.
4. You are notified if any additional work is needed to complete your project.

PG&E accepts the following forms of payment:

• Online payment with simple, safe ACH transfer (e-check)
• Check or cashier’s check
• Money order

For temporary power, per meter charge, or Engineering Advance e-check payments:

• Sign into Your Projects
• Select "Pay Invoice".
• Furnish your bank routing and account information
• Click "Submit".

For contracts:

• After signing the contract, click "Finish".
  
• Provide the information requested in the payment pop-up.

PG&E does not save any of your financial information after the transaction is complete. You can rely on confidentiality and security when using our online payment system.

• Don't have a "Your Projects" account? Visit our payment submission page to pay your invoice or contract online.

No. We require full payment before beginning construction or installing a meter.

The ITCC was established as part of the 1986 Federal Tax Reform Act.

• ITCC requires the payment of tax on the advance payment that PG&E collects for installing facilities.
  • We must collect this tax according to CPUC guidelines.

Cross arm. Usually made of wood, horizontal brackets mount on the power pole. Wires are then attached to conduct electricity. 

Insulator. Glass or porcelain fixtures atop the pole that insulate conductors and the current they carry from returning to the ground. 

Primary distribution line extension. The high voltage or input side of a transformer. It includes the circuit that feeds into the transformer. 

Riser. Pole-installed, this piece connects underground distribution facilities to overhead facilities. 

Secondary distribution line extension. The output side of a transformer and its connected circuit. The voltage it delivers is between 0 and 750 volts. It is also known as service delivery voltage. 

Service drop. The wire that connects the weather head on your roof to the electric pole. PG&E maintains the service drop; you maintain your weather head. 

Transformer. Device that takes the high voltage from distribution and turns it into lower voltage that you can use.

• Most overhead transformers are secured to wood poles. Overhead high voltage cables connect them to your service meter.
• We use green steel cabinets for underground transformers, mounted to concrete pads.
• They’re connected to your service meter by underground high voltage cables. 

Note: Voltage regulators, capacitor banks and reclosers are not transformers.

Weatherhead. Periscope-like structure on your roof that’s made of metal conduit. It’s where your electric service and our overhead service drop line connect.

Common terms for residential overhead electric service

Circuit breaker. Device that shuts down the flow of electricity if you unexpectedly overload your circuit, and the current goes over its preset limit. 

Electric panel. Located on your property this service center contains fuses, breakers and meters. 

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI or GFI). Device that can prevent electric shock when you have wall plugs close to water, like in a bathroom, garage or kitchen. They are available as outlets or breakers. 

Main switch. Device designed to protect your equipment installed past the meter. 

Weatherhead. This periscope-like structure, made of metal conduit, is where your electric service and our overhead service drop line connect. It’s typically located on your rooftop.

Common terms for temporary overhead electric service

Customer-owned temporary service pole. Poles that PG&E does not own, operate or maintain. 

Weatherhead. This periscope-like structure, made of metal conduit, is where your electric service and our overhead service drop line connect. It’s usually on your rooftop.

Branch service. Another source of supply for your service, other than a gas main. 

Gas houseline. Measuring 1 to 3/4 inch in diameter, small pipes that run out of the meter and onto your property, carrying natural gas to home appliances. 

Service delivery point and gas meter. Exact location on your property where PG&E supplies service. An example is your electric meter or gas meter. 

Service line or pipe. Pipelines, valves and fittings that carry natural gas from the main distribution to a building’s gas meter.

Cabling. The conductors, connectors and switches for primary, secondary, and service installations. Cabling may also include cable-in-conduit. 

Circuit breaker. Device that shuts down the flow of electricity if you unexpectedly overload your circuit and the current goes over its preset limit. 

Conduit. Ducts, pipes or tubes made from a variety of approved materials used to protect electric wires and cables during installation. PG&E uses a variety of conduit. We may also use pull wires and concrete encasement. 

Electric panel. Located on your property, a service center that contains fuses, breakers and meters. 

Electric Service Extension. Extension of electric service from the main energy supply line to your facility. 

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI or GFI). Device that can prevent electric shock when you have wall plugs close to water, like in a bathroom, garage or kitchen. They are available as outlets or breakers. 

Main switch. Device designed to protect your equipment installed past the meter. 

Service delivery point and electric meter. The exact location on your property where PG&E supplies service. Examples are your electric meter or gas meter. 

Splice box. Device found in underground systems that is used to enclose splices in cables, making them readily available for repair.

Common terms for temporary underground electrical service

Cabling. The conductors, connectors and switches for primary, secondary, and service installations. Cabling may also include cable-in-conduit. 

Conduit. Ducts, pipes or tubes made from a variety of approved materials used to protect electric wires and cables during installation. PG&E uses a variety of conduit. We may also use pull wires and concrete encasement. 

Electric panel. Located on your property, this service center contains fuses, breakers and meters. 

Ground rod. Grounding that provides an electrical connection between non-current-carrying metallic parts of equipment and the earth to prevent or limit an overload of power from lightning, line surges and contact with higher voltage lines. Installation follows the National Electric Code (NEC). 

Splice box. Device found in underground systems that is used to enclose splices in cables, making them readily available for repair.

A franchise area is our legal right to occupy public streets, roads, highways and other public places under franchise agreements in place with the agency that has jurisdiction. Following are common terms for franchise area electrical equipment:

 

Electric distribution lines. Overhead and underground lines including the poles, power lines, substations and transformers that belong to PG&E, supplying at least two services to homes and businesses. 

Gas distribution mains. Mains, service connections and equipment that carry or control the supply of natural gas from the local supply point to and including the meter. 

Protective structures. Fences, sound barriers, retaining walls, posts, barricades and other structures installed to help protect our distribution equipment. 

Transformer. Device that takes the high voltage from distribution and turns it into lower voltage that you can use. Most overhead transformers are secured to wood poles. Overhead high voltage cables connect them to your service meter. We use green steel cabinets for underground transformers, mounted to concrete pads. They’re connected to your service meter by underground high voltage cables. 

Trench. To dig or excavate with the purpose of providing more than one service. Trenching may involve these services:

• Gas
• Electricity
• Cable television
• Telephone