Cowlitz County Public Utility District » New Services » New Service Estimator Tool

New Service Estimator Tool

ATTENTION: Expect delays for new service connections. Construction material costs and procurement lead times have risen drastically in the past twelve months. Please be advised this will impact the timing and total cost of your project.

The residential underground line extension estimator provides an estimate of what it may cost to install electric facilities for service to your new home based on the distance you provide. Actual design and advance payment will be determined after you meet on-site with a Cowlitz PUD representative.

Underground estimates do not apply to service alterations, conversions, non-residential line extensions, multiple-lot applications, or any lot where low-voltage facilities already exist to serve your new home.

The estimated path for the power line should be clear, accessible year-round, and free of trees and rock. All primary line extensions (from source to transformer) must be installed along a rocked driveway. Secondary line extensions (from transformer to meter) do not have to be alongside a road or driveway.

Other factors that may affect cost include, but are not limited to:

  • Street crossing (traffic control, boring across road, or road repair from trenching)
    • Average additional cost to install a road crossing is $1600+
  • Existing transformer upgrade costs
    • Average additional cost to upgrade transformer is $2500+
  • Trenching along the road right-of-way by PUD Excavation crew
  • Obstacles in the route
  • Steep incline/decline
  • Easements
  • Right-of-way Permitting

The maximum allowed service wire length is 150 feet. All other distances will be calculated as a primary line extension.

Nearest Device

Secondary Pedestal
1. Secondary Pedestal
Pad Mounted Transformer
2. Pad Mounted Transformer
Primary Pedestal
3. Primary Pedestal
Power Pole<br>with Transformer
4. Power Pole
with Transformer
Power Pole without Transformer
5. Power Pole
without Transformer
Underground lines, no nearby device
6. Underground lines
no nearby device
What type of device is nearest to the location where you need service?

Distance to Meter

Please select a device from the dropdown above.
If you need help estimating your distance, try Google Maps. Bring your location up, then right click the map where you want your starting point and select "Measure Distance" from the pop-up menu. You can then click to add points to your path to find the total distance.
Google Maps Distance Tool Google Maps Distance Tool

Estimate Total

All estimates are for underground service, and do NOT include trenching and conduit costs, which are the responsibility of the applicant.
Before construction can begin, a Cowlitz PUD representative must visit your construction site and prepare a specific, site-related plan and cost estimate. To proceed, please complete an application for service. If you have any additional questions, or need additional information about a pending request, please call us at (360) 501-9546. Representatives are available Monday–Thursday from 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. to assist with your application or provide detailed information about a pending request.