Who should turn the power on????

[sheria]

State: Tennessee
We are closing on our new home (new constructon) hopefully in 8 days. The Real Estate Agent called me today. He told me to go to the Electric Company & have the power meter put on the home & the power turned on immediately in my name. There is still a lot of work to be done on the home requiring much power usage.
I don't feel as if I should owe any bills on the home since it is not legally mine until after closing. (BTW the origional closing date was Nov. 18, 2005:{
Is this standard procedure?
Is there any reason other than the obvious dollar figure that I can use to have the builder turn it on himself?

[FarmerJ]

I would imagine the builder wants to make sure that all the electrical systems are in working order as well as things like the heating and cooling system. There is no logical reason the builder cannot get the power turned on them selfs other than them not wanting to pay acct setup fees etc. Talk to your atty about what your options will be if you decide to just turn it on in order to get it over with.

[acmb05]

One would have to assume that the contractor had a temp meter put up for the construction. Why is that not being used now?

You will need the power on for the final inspection before an inspector will sign off on it. They will need it to make sure everything is working right. However you should not have to do this until just before the inspection.

Since you only have 8 days until closing I would think that is not an unreasonable request to get the box put on and ready to go but dont turn power on until the day before final inspection. Besides the builder may know something you dont and if you wait to get it set up they may not get out to your home in time for the inspection which would delay your closing.

[justalayman]

Originally Posted by acmb05

One would have to assume that the contractor had a temp meter put up for the construction. Why is that not being used now?

You will need the power on for the final inspection before an inspector will sign off on it. They will need it to make sure everything is working right. However you should not have to do this until just before the inspection.

Since you only have 8 days until closing I would think that is not an unreasonable request to get the box put on and ready to go but dont turn power on until the day before final inspection. Besides the builder may know something you dont and if you wait to get it set up they may not get out to your home in time for the inspection which would delay your closing.

Temp meter hell. hacksaw blades are all you need. (just don't tell anybody or get caught)

I can't imagine " alot" of work that requires alot of power usage if it is within 8 days of finish. In 8 days I can't imagine too many things that would even need power to be done. This would be carpet, elec trim, plumb trim, touch-up, clean-up and spit shine. all the big power tools should be gone.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by sheria

State: Tennessee
We are closing on our new home (new constructon) hopefully in 8 days. The Real Estate Agent called me today. He told me to go to the Electric Company & have the power meter put on the home & the power turned on immediately in my name. There is still a lot of work to be done on the home requiring much power usage.
I don't feel as if I should owe any bills on the home since it is not legally mine until after closing. (BTW the origional closing date was Nov. 18, 2005:{
Is this standard procedure?
Is there any reason other than the obvious dollar figure that I can use to have the builder turn it on himself?

**A: absent anything in the contract to the contrary, the builder is responsible for the meter installation and power usage up to the date of closing.

[Gadfly]

This comes under the contractor's responsibility. They get the power turned on in their name and get everything checked out and inspected.

You do need to find out what your deposit will be and maybe even pay it. Once you close and have the keys to the house, call the power company and have the power put in your name effective then. They will come out take a final reading, bill the contractor for everything prior and bill you for everything going forward.

[HomeGuru]

that makes sense......