Complete Electric Lic.# 966283

When a customer wants or needs to change their main electrical panel (the panel outside with the meter in it), PG&E has to be involved to hook up the new panel when it's done. 

PG&E requires an application to be filed to get the process started. This is easy to do by calling their New Construction 800 number, 877-743-7782.  I do this for my customers, but they can do it themselves. 

When I'm on the phone with the PG&E rep. they ask if I "agree to all engineering charges...etc.", but they cannot tell me how much the "charges" will be.  See the column to the right.

 Now, they require the customer to send them a $1000.  dollar down payment before they'll start the engineering.  If engineering on your project cost $400. dollars then when the project is finished they refund $600. dollars.

 I'm told that a "ballpark" figure for hooking up a new service is$400. dollars when the telephone pole is on your side of the street and $800. dollars if the telephone pole is on the other side of your street.

 Recently, a customer was charged $1200. because the telephone pole was on the other side of the street and PG&E crewmen had to trim a tree.  On another job they disconnected wires running underground and re-hooked them up when I was done.  The rep. told me it probably wouldn't cost anything and the full $1000. dollars would be refunded.

 So, I can't tell you what PG&E will charge if you need a service change and neither can their representative.

Regarding, a commercial property, e.g. condominium complexes, apartment buildings, strip malls, office buildings, the down payment could be as high as $5000. dollars.

 I was told I could find more information about this on PG&E's website.  After an hour I gave up.  There's just too much information to sift through there.

If you hire Complete Electric for a service change I;ll pleased to work with the PG&E and argue the proposed costs.  That's the best I can offer regarding PG&E.

Clay

Under Ground Services

If you do not have telephone poles on your street, then the wires from PG&E run under the street and then under your front yard to your house, in a steel pipe.

It's likely that this steel pipe is already 3" in diameter, however, if it's not and you want to upgrade your main electrical service then a trench will have to be dug and a 3" steel conduit laid to replace your existing pipe/wires. $$$

 Since, PG&E cannot tell me in advance what they charge for engineering, should you need this steel conduit replaced then they'll have to "engineer" it first. I imagine this will cost a chunk of money.  The service change I did recently, had a 3" conduit and PG&E hooked up the new service for no charge (the customers entire $1000. down-payment, is expected to be refunded).   FYI

Clay

PG&E's application agreement(the blank check)

"I understand that service will be engineered and installed based upon the information provided here. I agree to pay PG&E, on demand, for
all work PG&E performs and all costs PG&E incurs for this application for service. PG&E may cancel this Application for Service if I do not
proceed with the project and it becomes inactive for a period of 12 months. If the project is postponed or cancelled, by either party, I will pay
PG&E for all such work and costs incurred by PG&E prior to the postponement or cancellation. PG&E's costs may include, for example, labor,
material and supplies, (including long lead time materials), transportation, and other direct costs which PG&E allocates to such work. Incomplete
information or any changes made at my request during the engineering, or after it is completed, will subject me to additional charges and may delay the
establishment of service. I further agree to pay for any damage to new or existing PG&E facilities caused by my contractors or me. Service shall
besubject to all of PG&E's applicable tariff schedules on file with and authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and shall at all
times be subject to such changes or modifications as the CPUC may direct from time to time in the exercise of its jurisdiction.I understand that PG&E
may require an engineering advance to cover some or all of its costs for project review, design work and cost development in connection with this
application for service. I understand that any advance will be based upon current costs and the amount of work anticipated by PG&E based upon the
information submitted in this application. I understand that any advance will be credited against the amount I owe, applied to the amount I may owe on
the resulting line extension agreement, or refunded to me without interest when PG&E has completed its engineering work or if the project has been
cancelled or postponed.
I have read the above information. I understand and agree with the provisions and my responsibilities."