Decision: Electrical Service Now, Other Utilities Spring 2026
Date: 2025-11-07 Area: Utilities, Winter Construction Strategy Status: Confirmed Priority: Critical (affects winter construction timeline)
Summary
Install electrical service only during winter 2025-26. Defer gas, water, sewer, and low-voltage utilities to spring 2026 for installation in a single shared trench.
Decision
Winter 2025-26 (Now - February 2026):
✅ Install 200A electrical service immediately
- Route: House SW corner → Garage (separate dedicated trench)
- Licensed electrician pulls 200A wire through existing 2” PVC conduit
- 200A panel in garage, 100A initial connection at house
- Target energization: Mid-December 2025
Spring 2026 (March-May):
✅ Install all other utilities together in single shared trench
- Gas (1” PE pipe for boiler + future appliances)
- Water (3/4” PEX supply line)
- Sewer (3” PVC to house stack)
- Low-voltage (2” conduit for fiber/network)
- Route: House connection point → Garage (separate path from electrical)
- Single excavation, single permit, coordinated installation
Rationale
Why Two Separate Approaches Work
Routing Reality: Per Utilities & Conduits, utilities follow two completely different underground paths:
-
Trench 1 (Electrical): House SW corner → Garage
- Separate path per electrician recommendations
- Different burial depth requirements
- Independent timeline and contractor
- Can be installed NOW without affecting other utilities
-
Trench 2 (Gas/Water/Sewer/Low-Voltage): House connection point → Garage
- Shared trench for cost efficiency
- Similar burial depths (all need 42” for frost protection)
- Coordinated installation by plumber + gas fitter
- Best installed together in single excavation
Key Insight: Installing electrical service now does NOT require digging the shared utility trench. They are physically separate routes.
Cost Benefits
| Approach | Cost Impact |
|---|---|
| ✅ Electrical now, others spring | One electrical trench + one shared trench = 2 total excavations |
| ❌ All utilities now (separate) | Electrical trench + gas trench + water trench + sewer trench = 4+ excavations |
| ❌ Rush everything now | Emergency rates during peak season + winter excavation challenges |
Savings:
- ✅ Single shared trench saves ~$2,000-4,000 in excavation costs
- ✅ Spring contractor availability = better rates than Dec-Jan peak season
- ✅ One permit/inspection for shared trench instead of multiple
Timeline Benefits
Winter 2025-26 Focus:
- ✅ Electrical service provides power for construction (tools, lights)
- ✅ VEVOR diesel heaters adequate for construction work (40-50°F tested Nov 1)
- ✅ Shell work continues (roof, siding, windows, doors)
- ✅ Mechanical room framing/insulation/drywall completed
- ✅ No dependency on gas service for progress
Spring 2026 Benefits:
- ✅ Better contractor availability (Mar-Apr vs Dec-Jan peak season)
- ✅ Easier excavation (ground thawed, no frozen soil)
- ✅ Boiler operational when most needed (finish work benefits from heat)
- ✅ Radiant heat helps drywall finishing, painting, detail work
Practical Benefits
What Electrical Service Enables:
- 💡 Permanent lighting in garage
- 🔌 Power outlets for construction tools
- 🔥 Supplemental electric space heaters if needed (backup to VEVOR)
- 🏗️ Future equipment testing (lift, compressor, etc.)
- 🔋 Generator inlet box installation (50A backup power)
What We Don’t Need This Winter:
- ❌ Radiant floor heat (VEVOR adequate for construction)
- ❌ Natural gas service (boiler can wait until spring)
- ❌ Water service (no plumbing fixtures until finish work)
- ❌ Sewer service (no bathroom until finish work)
When Radiant Heat Is Most Valuable:
- 🎨 Drywall finishing (mud dries better in warm temps)
- 🎨 Painting (paint application and curing need warmth)
- 🔧 Detail/finish work (comfortable temps for precision)
- 📦 Equipment installation (boiler, HVAC, lift)
All of these happen in spring 2026 - exactly when radiant heat becomes operational.
Options Considered
Option A: All Utilities Now (Rejected)
Approach: Install electrical + gas + water + sewer all in Nov-Dec 2025
Pros:
- Radiant heat operational by Jan 2026
- All utilities complete sooner
Cons:
- ❌ Requires multiple separate trench excavations (electrical separate from others)
- ❌ Gas/water/sewer share trench - inefficient to dig now when they can be bundled in spring
- ❌ Peak contractor season (Dec-Jan) = long delays, high costs
- ❌ Winter excavation challenges (frozen ground, weather delays)
- ❌ Radiant heat not critical for construction work (VEVOR adequate)
- ❌ Higher stress, rushed coordination
Rejected because: Cost inefficiency and unnecessary rush for minimal benefit.
Option B: All Utilities Spring (Considered)
Approach: Defer ALL utilities including electrical to spring 2026
Pros:
- Single coordinated installation in spring
- Lower overall stress
Cons:
- ❌ No power for construction tools/lights all winter
- ❌ Dependent on generator or extension cords from house
- ❌ Electrical service independent route anyway - can be installed now
- ❌ Missing opportunity for supplemental electric heat
Rejected because: Electrical service provides significant construction benefits and doesn’t block other utilities.
Option C: Electrical Now, Others Spring (SELECTED) ✅
Approach: Install electrical service in Nov-Dec 2025; install gas/water/sewer/low-voltage in single shared trench spring 2026
Pros:
- ✅ Power available for construction all winter
- ✅ Cost-effective: One shared trench for 4 utilities in spring
- ✅ Better contractor availability (spring vs Dec-Jan peak)
- ✅ VEVOR heaters adequate for construction work
- ✅ Radiant heat operational when most beneficial (finish work)
- ✅ Reduced property disruption (one spring dig vs multiple)
- ✅ Lower stress, better quality work
- ✅ Protected mechanical room ready before boiler arrives
- ✅ No dependency chains blocking progress
Cons:
- ⚠️ No radiant heat this winter (rely on VEVOR diesel heaters)
- ⚠️ Cooler working temps (40-50°F vs 55-65°F)
Selected because: Optimal balance of cost, timeline, and practical construction needs.
Implementation Plan
Phase 1: Electrical Service (Nov 7 - Dec 15, 2025)
Week 1 (Nov 7-13):
- Contact 2-3 licensed electricians for quotes
- Request: 200A wire, 100A connection, install through existing conduit
- Timeline: Late November / early December completion
- Apply for electrical permit
Week 2-3 (Nov 14-27):
- Select electrician and schedule installation
- Permit approval
- Coordinate with Consumers Energy for meter
Week 4-5 (Nov 28 - Dec 15):
- Electrical service installation
- Wire pull through conduit
- Panel installation in mechanical room
- Connection at house main panel
- Inspection and approval
- Service energization
Target: Electrical service operational by mid-December 2025
Phase 2: Shell Work (Dec 2025 - Feb 2026)
Focus on:
- Mechanical room framing (Stage 3, crew onsite between Nov 24 and Dec 1)
- Mechanical room insulation (flash-and-batt recommended)
- Mechanical room drywall (creates protected workspace)
- Roof completion (Stage 4)
- Siding and windows (Stage 5)
- Garage doors installation
- Use VEVOR diesel heaters for construction heat
Heating Strategy:
- Two VEVOR Diesel Air Heaters (tested Nov 1, 2025)
- Expected performance: 40-50°F inside, adequate for construction
- One unit in mechanical room, one in main bay
- Electrical service enables supplemental electric heat if needed
Phase 3: Spring Utility Installation (Mar-May 2026)
Preparation (February 2026):
- Contact 2-3 licensed gas fitters for quotes
- Contact 2-3 plumbers for water/sewer quotes
- Coordinate shared trench excavation
- Apply for gas and plumbing permits
Installation (March-April 2026):
- Excavate single shared trench (Trench 2 route)
- Install natural gas line (1” PE pipe through 2” conduit, direct burial to house)
- Install water line (3/4” PEX through 2” conduit, direct burial to house)
- Install sewer line (3” PVC, proper slope and depth)
- Install low-voltage conduit (fiber/network cable)
- Pressure testing (gas and water)
- Inspections and approvals
- Backfill trench
Boiler Installation (April-May 2026):
- Professional boiler installation in completed mechanical room
- Connect to radiant manifolds and PEX loops
- System purging and commissioning
- Venting verification
- Begin radiant heat operation
Target: Radiant heat operational by May 2026
Success Metrics
Winter 2025-26 (Electrical Service)
- ✅ Electrical service energized by mid-December 2025
- ✅ Mechanical room framing/insulation/drywall complete by end of January 2026
- ✅ Shell weathertight (roof, siding, windows, doors) by end of February 2026
- ✅ VEVOR heaters maintain 40-50°F working temps
- ✅ Power available for all construction tools and lighting
Spring 2026 (Other Utilities)
- ✅ Single shared trench excavated (one dig, not multiple)
- ✅ Gas, water, sewer, low-voltage all installed together
- ✅ Total utility trench cost < 12,000+ for separate trenches)
- ✅ Boiler operational by May 2026
- ✅ Radiant heat assists finish work (drywall, painting)
Risk Mitigation
Risk: Electrical Contractor Unavailable in Nov-Dec
Mitigation:
- Contact 3 electricians immediately (not just 2)
- If all unavailable by Dec 1, defer to January 2026
- Still provides power for late winter/spring construction
- VEVOR heaters sufficient backup
Risk: VEVOR Heaters Insufficient in Extreme Cold
Mitigation:
- Electrical service enables supplemental electric space heaters
- Focus on mechanical room completion (can be heated separately)
- Weatherproofing (roof, siding) reduces heat loss
- Construction work doesn’t require 65°F temps
Risk: Spring Contractor Delays
Mitigation:
- Contact contractors in February (6-8 week lead time)
- Get on schedule early for March-April slot
- Flexible timeline - May-June also acceptable
- Finish work can continue with minimal heat (HVAC for cooling)
References
Related Documents:
- Utility Routing: Utilities & Conduits - Details on separate trench paths
- Winter Strategy: Winter Construction Strategy - Comparison of heating strategies
- Mechanical Room: Mechanical Room - Boiler dependencies and timeline
- Electrical Planning: Electrical Planning - 200A service specifications
- Action Plan: Action Plan - November 2025 - Weekly task breakdown
- Temporary Heating: Temporary Heating (Winter 2025-26) - VEVOR heater specs
Key Supporting Evidence:
- Electricians recommended separate electrical trench (see Trench 1)
- Shared utility trench is cost-effective (see Trench 2)
- VEVOR heaters tested and proven adequate (Nov 1, 2025)
- Frost depth 42” in Michigan - easier excavation in spring
Decision Made By: Project Lead Date Confirmed: 2025-11-07 Next Review: January 2026 (electrical service completion assessment) Status: ✅ Confirmed - Implementation in progress