Construction Tips and FAQs
Construction Tips and FAQs
Construction
Altering or modifying gas or electric service
For existing natural gas or electric service that requires modification, upgrading, or relocation of a service line or meter, including temporary removal and re-installation, please contact one of our representatives at 1-888-321-7779.
Contact PSE if you suspect your Meter appears to show signs of Tampering or Diversion.
Can I disconnect service for safety during tree-trimming?
If there is a tree on your property that is near or contacting PSE service lines (wires that run from a PSE pole and attach to your home or meter pole), PSE will perform a safety disconnection to allow you or your private tree trimmer/arborist to remove or trim branches to reduce the possibility of contact creating an outage. Typically this work is done at no charge.
Please contact one of our representatives at 1-888-321-7779 at least 5 business days before you plan to start the work to check on crew availability and potential charges.
For comprehensive information regarding tree trimming near primary lines (wires that run from pole to pole in the street’s right of way), please see this page.
Avoiding construction delays
Avoid construction delays. It's the customer's responsibility to ensure that:
• Backfill (debris free sand) is available, adequate, and within shoveling distance of trench/work pits
• Work pits and trenches free of debris and water
• Work site is properly prepared and cleared
• Minimum 12 inch separation between gas and electric
• Proper size and type of conduit installed
• Electric panel or natural gas line has been inspected
Do you have a list of contractors I can work with?
Our Energy Advisors have a list of vetted contractors throughout our service territory. We can provide a short list for you to work with to find the contractor that best fits your needs. Contact an Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482
How do I get my weatherhead/meter base/electrical panel repaired or replaced?
PSE will disconnect your service, so that your electrical contractor can safely do the work. There is a cost for the disconnect/reconnect service which will be determined by the amount of labor and number of servicemen required. Please contact one of our representatives at 1-888-321-7779 at least 5 business days before you plan to start the work to check crew availability and to schedule.
How does the natural gas installation process work?
Once we have verified that natural gas is available to your home, we will work with you to determine the scope of your project, such as the size and placement of your meter and potential installation costs. After we have confirmed these details, we will send an agreement to be signed by the property owner in order to proceed with the conversion. The next steps are field verification, permitting, and installation of the service and meter. The whole process typically ranges from 6-12 weeks, depending on the city/county/municipality. Some installations may exceed this standard time range. After the service and meter are installed, your private contractor will complete the fuel line and appliance installation in your home. Once inspected, we will proceed to unlock your meter to begin natural gas service.
Is natural gas available to my home?
The process for finding out if natural gas is available to your home or undeveloped parcel is as easy as filling out this form. We will respond to your inquiry within 1 business day.
Natural gas activation and safety
Permits and inspections
If you're building or remodeling, you need to follow all federal, state and local codes and pass inspections before Puget Sound Energy can install an electrical or natural gas service to the home. Find relevant information on specific City jurisdictions.
Red tags
A red tag means work cannot proceed until certain requirements are met.
Some examples are:
• Work pits/trench not dug out
• Unacceptable conduit
• No permit/inspection
• Clean sand needed
• Example of a PSE red tag below
Refunds for new electric residential plats
If you are a builder or developer you may be eligible for a partial refund of your construction contribution after a new home has established permanent electric service. Please save this form to your desktop and follow the instructions to email a representative and find out more about a possible refund. (Note: Download Adobe Acrobat to open PDF file for best results.)
Refunds for natural gas construction projects
Customers (owners) named on the Natural Gas Service Facility Service Contract may be eligible for a Security Deposit refund, including applicable interest. To be eligible, the build-out of all lots/phases must be complete, service must be added with meters installed, and the refund request must be received within 6 years of the gas main installation. Please save this form to your desktop and follow the instructions to email a representative and find out more about a possible refund. (Note: Download Adobe Acrobat to open PDF file for best results.)
What if natural gas is not available to my home?
Some homes do not have natural gas main lines readily available in the street in front of the parcel. In these cases, PSE will provide you with a cost estimate to extend the gas main line to a place where natural gas can be brought to your home. Main extensions may take longer to install, depending on the variables. If a main needs to be installed and multiple neighbors are interested, costs for the main extension can be shared.
Related Links
CONTACT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
1-888-321-7779 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday)