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Building & Remodeling FAQ

All electric and gas work must be completed by licensed plumbers or electricians. Once you’ve decided which contractor to use, they should file a Contractor's Work Request through our Project Center.

The following steps outline the normal requirements to secure a new service:

  1. Have your contractor file a Contractor's Work Request as soon as possible.
  2. You and your contractor will receive a Service Layout indicating which O&R specifications need to be followed.
  3. our contractor ensures that your job site is ready for service construction and submits an interim checklist. This is an extremely important step—if a new/replacement gas or electric service is required from O&R, it typically takes at least 30 days for us to complete our construction drawings, secure the street opening permits, schedule the physical construction, and complete the necessary construction work before we are even able to turn on the gas or install the electric cables.
  4. Your O&R representative performs an inspection to verify that the site is ready for service construction (property-line box or sweep is installed, area graded to within 6 inches of final grade, curbs are installed, sewer and water lines installed, etc.).
  5. The O&R representative issues orders to our construction departments to commence work.
  6. After underground electric conduits and/or gas service piping has been installed by O&R, your contractor completes their work, secures the necessary gas or electric certifications from the City or Municipality, receives the customer service application and/or deposit, submits the pressure test affidavit (gas jobs), and submits a final checklist to the O&R representative.
  7. The O&R representative performs a final inspection and orders final connections, meter installation, and turn-on. This typically requires seven working days after we've completed step #3 (above).

You can find most of the information you need in the Project Center. If you still have a question, you can call us between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, or send us an email anytime. You can find the email address for your district here. We’ll get back to you within two business days.

About a week after we receive a work request from your licensed contractor, you’ll receive the name and contact number of the team handling your case. You can also find this and other case information in the Project Center. After you log in or register as a first-time user, select the Project Status inquiry for a list of teams and contact information.

Yes; however, all costs associated with changing the service are your responsibility and must be paid before our work begins.

You can find this and other case information in the Project Center. Please check this site before calling a team, as most of your case information is available online.

There are no fees associated with inspection services. Fees do apply if:

  • You or your contractor want a service located at a point of entry other than the one chosen by your O&R team.
  • You request the relocation of a utility pole.
  • Our existing services are adequate, but you want your meters relocated outdoors.

 

Since the cost of relocating a pole to accommodate a customer is an expense incurred solely by an individual request/requirement, it must be paid by the customer requesting or requiring the relocation, and not be absorbed by other customers.

Gas meters must be located outdoors for all new gas services and service upgrades requiring the replacement of the service entrance pipe for one- to three-family homes. More information about service installations can be found in Resources and A Customer Guide to Natural Gas Service Installation—Gas Yellow Book (PDF).

Yes, but you are responsible for the costs. You or your landlord will need to hire a licensed contractor at your cost to have the wiring and/or piping moved. Your licensed contractor will need to file the necessary paperwork in Project Center prior to starting any work.

Specs are located in the Electric Blue Book (PDF) and A Customer Guide to Natural Gas Service Installation—Gas Yellow Book (PDF).

Estimated time frames will depend upon several factors, such as the scope of work, required permits, weather conditions, etc. Generally, if your service installation requires excavation work, you should allow up to 90 days from the time we inspect your site.

The average wait time for a new meter is approximately 10 days after we receive all required deposits and applications, and have completed our final inspection.

Local building codes (City or local Municipality) require that all residential electric and gas work be done by licensed contractors and that their work is filed for inspection with an authorized inspection authority. We are required to secure proof of inspection certification prior to providing gas and/or electric services.

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