Underground Electrical
Installing electrical wiring or a panel usually costs between $600 and $2,100. Larger properties, having multiple outbuildings, or an unusual layout can increase project price.Â
While you can dig the trench yourself, if you have the equipment and know-how, the actual utility installation is not a DIY job. Only hire a licensed electrician; electrician costs range between $50 and $100 per hour. Most states require a qualified electrician to carry out all electrical work, however small.
Several home projects require electrical trenching:
Surveillance camera: Installing a security system costs about $1,400.
Indoor/outdoor outlet: Homeowners pay an average of $200 to install or replace electrical and ground-fault circuit interrupters. Take additional precautions for outdoor outlet safetyby investing in covers that protect from exposure to water.
Lighting: The average cost to install a lighting fixture is $500.
Swimming pool/hot tub: In-ground swimming pool installation costs about $55,700. A typical turn-key pool package includes the electrical system needed. In-ground hot tubs cost between $5,000 to $20,000, including the digging and electrical and plumbing work.
Water Lines
For most homeowners, installing a water main costs between $600 and $2,600. This is not a DIY job. Instead, hire a licensed professional plumber to do the work from the beginning to avoid higher costs down the road. Regional temperatures may affect the type of pipe you can use. Copper pipe is a popular choice for most climates, but adds $10 to $20 per linear foot to your total.
Other projects that require this include:
Well work: Drilling or digging a well costs $1,500 to $12,000. The average price is $5,500. Most homeowners spend $1,550 to install or replace a well pump, but prices vary based on pump type. Repairing a well pump runs about $900.
Sprinkler system: The average cost to install a sprinkler system is $2,500. Have a professional check for existing pipes and wires before digging and putting in pipes.
Swimming pool/hot tub:
Swimming pool: Approximately $48,500.
Hot tub: Between $5,000 to $20,000.
Water heater: The cost to install a water heater runs most homeowners between $800 and $1,600. Invest in an expansion tank to avoid having pipes burst. Repairing a water main costs on the high end $3,000 and about $300 on the low end.
Sewage System
Installing a sewer main costs about $3,200. The property type is the biggest cost factor here. The type and location of the property, as well as the landscape, determine how challenging the job is, the length of the trench and the distance from the main connector line, and what permits are necessary.Â
Permits and regulations are a factor in any sewer-related project. If a city or county isn't responsible for installing sewer lines, hire a professional.
Four-inch PVC pipe adds approximately $1 to the price per linear foot. Plastic pipe ties easily into older systems.
Gas Pipes
Installing or repairing gas pipes typically costs between $300 and $800. The kind of gas used and the appliance to which the line connects determines the type of pipe.
The cost of a geothermal heating or cooling system runs between $12,800 and $35,000.Â
There are three types of configurations for the geothermal system: horizontal, vertical and pond. The trench for a pond configuration will be about $10 to $20 per linear foot.
HVAC System
If you're using two-inch black steel pipe or copper pipe, expect to pay around $12 per linear foot. You'll also need to account for insulating the lines to maximize efficiency for your HVAC system. This adds another $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Foundation
Typically, excavation and grading cost between $1,350 and $5,600. The terrain and geology of the area influence cost. Difficult terrain, challenging geology, and steep grading increase difficulty and labor, and, therefore, cost.
The price of a foundation project ranges from $4,300 to $13,300. What it's made of can increase or decrease that number. For example, a monolithic concrete slab costs about $4 per square foot, but basement foundation costs about $18 per square foot.
Retaining Walls
Certain types of retaining walls need trenches. The price of installing a retaining wall runs most homeowners between $3,200 and $8,800. This is the price for the entire project, including trenching.
Permits
While costs vary widely across the country, average trenching permits cost between $500 to $2,000.