faq’s regarding service installation & upgrades from homeowners
Q. I need to upgrade my gas and/or electric service. What is my first step?
A. All electric and gas work must be completed by licensed plumbers or electricians. Once you have decided which contractor to use, they should file a Contractor’s Work Request with Con Edison Energy Services. The most effective way to file is on-line at www.coned.com/es under Project Management.
Q. What are the steps involved in getting a new or upgraded service?
A. The following steps outline the normal requirements to secure a new service:
- Have your contractor file a Contractor’s Work Request as soon as possible.
- You and your contractor will receive a Service Layout indicating which Con Edison specifications need to be followed.
- Your contractor ensures that your jobsite is ready for service construction and submits an interim checklist; this is an extremely important step, for if a new/replacement gas or electric service is required from Con Edison, 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 such construction work before we’re even able to turn-on the gas or install the electric cables.
- Your Con Edison 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” of final grade, curbs are installed, sewer & water lines installed, etc.).
- Con Edison representative issues orders to our construction departments to commence work.
- After underground electric conduits and/or gas service piping has been installed by Con Edison, your contractor completes their work, secures the necessary gas or electric certifications from the City or Municipality, customer service application and/or deposit received, pressure test affidavit (gas jobs) submitted and submits a final checklist to the Con Ed representative.
- Con Edison representative performs a final inspection and orders final connections, meter installation and turn-on. This typically requires 7 working days after we’ve completed step #3 (above).
Q. Which inspector will be handling my job?
A. Approximately one week after Con Edison receives a work request from your licensed contractor, you will receive correspondence indicating the name and contact number of the representative handling your case. You can also find this and other information pertaining to the status of your case on-line at www.coned.com/es under Project Management and then selecting Project Status inquiry. Please check this site before calling a representative. Most representatives are responsible for specific geographic territories, or districts, a list of representatives can be found on-line at www.coned.com/es under Contacts.
Q. My existing electric service is overhead; can I have an underground service?
A. Yes, however all cost associated with changing the service is the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before any work by Con Edison begins.
Q. Did you receive my Contractor’s Work Request?
A. You can also find this and other information pertaining to the status of your case on-line at www.coned.com/es under Project Management and then selecting Project Status Inquiry. Please check this site before calling a representative.
Q. When can I speak to an inspector?
A. We encourage all customers to refer to the website above for questions pertaining to the status of their job. If the website cannot answer your question, the best time to reach our representatives is in the morning between 7:00AM and 10:00AM. Since our representatives spend a considerable amount of time in the field, please be prepared to leave a message and allow 24 hr for a return call. Please also refrain from leaving multiple messages for the same reason (quite often we receive the same message from a customer, their contractor, and others) this only creates a backlog for our representative causing a delayed response for all callers.
Q. Is there a fee for Con Edison inspection services and/or service installation work?
A. As long as you are not requesting services that exceed your entitlements, there are no fees for inspection services and/or service installation work. Fees can be incurred for several reasons including but not limited to the following:
- If you or your contractor want a service located at a point of entry other than the one chosen by your Con Ed rep. (The customer would be responsible for the additional cost to provide service to your preferred point of entry)
- If you request the relocation of a utility pole.
- If our existing services are adequate, but you want your meters relocated outdoors.
- If your job fails inspection for a checklist item, which your contractor indicated was properly completed. (This fee is to be paid by the contractor, not the customer, but company work will be withheld until such contractor payment is made)
Q. Why do I have to pay to have a pole relocated?
A. Since the cost of relocating a pole to accommodate a customer is an expense incurred specifically solely to accommodate an individual request/requirement, it must be paid by the customer specifically requesting or requiring the relocation, and not be absorbed by other rate-payers.
Q. Does my meter have to go outdoors?
A. On all new services and service upgrades which require the replacement of the service entrance pipe for 1 – 3 family homes, the meters must be located outdoors. More information regarding service installations can be found on our website at www.coned.com/es under specifications and service connections and/or meter locations.
Q. Can I get a waiver on the outdoor metering requirement?
A. There are no provisions for such waiver on outdoor meters for new construction. The only waiver permissible for existing structures are if the building has already received Landmark status or is within a Historic District.
Q. At what height must the electric meters be installed?
A. The requirement is that the meter be between 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 feet from its centerline opening to the final surface grade.
Q. How long does it take to get a new service, or service upgrade?
A. It depends upon several factors such as the scope of work, availability of municipal permit where required, weather conditions, etc. Generally, if your service installation requires excavation work (in the case of gas services or underground electric lines) customers should allow 30 to 60 days from the time that their worksite has been inspected by Con Edison and is deemed ready for service. (i.e.. your water and sewer services are installed, and the job site is to within 6 inches of final grade.) In cases where our existing service is adequate for your upgrade needs or a new service has already been installed and you are waiting for a meter or an overhead electric service, on average the wait should be approximately 7 working days from the time Con Edison has received all required certificates and completed a final inspection.
Q. Why must the contractor’s work be certified by the City/Municipality?
A. Local building codes require that all electric and gas work on or inside homes be done by licensed contractors and that their work be filed for inspection with an authorized inspection authority. Con Edison is required to secure proof of inspection certification prior to providing gas and/or electric services. Please remember that inspection and certification requirements are meant to ensure the safety of your service installation and protect the consumer.
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