Water And Electric Meter Installation

[chrisandsu]

Hi all just need some info on the cost to install water and electric meters to a new build , have a temporary unit on the land at the moment that's used for a few houses but want to get my own . where would be the best place to go to take care of this ? how long will the wait time be? thanks in advance

[benja1102]

Hello, for water you, if you got land you can search for underground water, if not you need to check if there is government water nearby and for the price you can ask to the water government office. For the electric you need to check the nearest place with electric and ask for a junction, if it's far you will need to set electric pole and a transformer which is quiet expensive and as water you need to check with the government office. hope it will help bye.

[kamalabob2]

If you have a "permit to build" the process to obtain legal permanent water service and legal permanent Electric service will go faster with less costs. Water service can be obtained with more than one size of "meter" and more than one size of service pipe. It is worth checking into your options, but the distance your plot of land is from the existing "main pipe" is a determining factor in the cost. Part is a refundable meter cost as I recall. Saving all papers is crucial. The local municipal water office has real requirements about what approved types of water tubing, do not assume blue PVC pipe will be approved TO your meter. They want you you to use good quality materials. The PEA staff might not initially install water service lines TO your meter at a depth you think is proper, but your builder sure can put pipes at the depth you feel is prudent. Gardeners in Thailand know how to puncture home water service lines that are not deep enough!!

I suggest you take photos of where water lines are laid, as you may need to access those pipes in the future.

If you are in the PEA service area then it is simple to go in person to your local PEA office with your "permit to build", house plans and land papers. They might send someone out to your plot of land the next day to determine what is readily possible, and the approved building plans with complete electric plans on that document will help them determine the MINIMUM service you need. You can often sign up for a larger level of service, but for safety they are keen to enforce minimums. Too small of a meter can cause electrical shorts that hurt the service of other customers on the same line. I have seen the explosion and power outage caused by a Farang with 2 a/c units, etc.. in his rental house that had a 5amp meter more suitable for a small Thai village house.

The prices, including REFUNDABLE deposits, are often posted on the wall of each PEA office. It is not hard to figure out what your costs will be IF your plot of land is near existing power lines of the level of service your house will require. Be sure to save the documents, including the deposit paperwork. Once you have a "house number" the PEA is swift to change out a temporary meter, with the lower cost (in terms of price per KW) PERMANENT meter. It is CHEAP for a village house to get 5 amp service, even small sensible Farang houses can obtain legal service for a small fee, and those prices are PRINTED ON THE WALL of the PEA.

If you build a home that the PEA determines needs your own transformer, then you can see a reputable licensed electrical contractor for a better price, but you will still pay fees and deposits to the PEA, as they never quite leave the transaction. With a signed "permit to build" you are not open to any bribe attempts.

If you want underground electric service to your home OR underground to your meter on your land, then the PEA is strict (for good reasons) about the exact type of electric cable (NYY is one approved type of cable) and exact type of conduit for the cable. I have personally seen three homes where the Farang allowed the builder to go ahead and install electric service cables underground and the PEA made them tear it out and pay again for the correct and safe wire and correct and safe conduit. The PEA will write it down on paper what you need for your electrical connection, even on a larger size meter.

If it appears no one understand your questions in English when you are at the local PEA office, you can phone the PEA office in Bangkok and the English speaking staff can translate your questions on the phone while you are at the office.

[kamalabob2]

If your paperwork is proper, the wait time for the municipal water to install new service or switch your temporary meter to a permanent meter can be less than one week. If you already have a "permit to build", if the house is already 90% completed and if you have a "house number" document, then it is less than one week for the PEA to string wires and install your permanent electric meter.

[JoePai]

Does anyone have any idea as to the cost(deposit) for a temporary water and single phase electric meter for building a house ?