Construction Project Process

In order for BGE to work efficiently with you, we recommend organizing your construction project into four separate phases.

In each phase, you'll see how the process flows chronologically and what is expected. For specific instructions on the Residential or Commercial & Industrial (C&I) construction project process, please check out our Documents & Guides or the Service Application.

Your BGE representative will be working with you throughout the four phases and can answer any questions you have. If you need immediate help during the Construction/Restoration phase, call BGE at 1-800-233-1854.

Initiation

Getting your job started is phase one of the construction project process:

Step 1
Complete and return the Service Application, along with the necessary site/building drawings, as outlined in the Customer Information Booklets. This will provide BGE with all the information required to get started.

Note: The preferred method is to submit your service application on-line at BGE.com. Once you submit the on-line application, you will receive an email with your Service Request number. If you choose to submit your application by mail, you can download a PDF version on BGE.com. Once we receive your completed Service Application, BGE will provide, via an email, your Service Request Number to let you know we have received your Service Application. Please retain this number and refer to it in any correspondence with BGE about your job.

Step 2
Within approximately 10 days of our receipt of your application, a BGE Representative will contact you to review job details and discuss particulars listed in the Customer Information Booklet. At this time, BGE will convert your Service Request to a Work Order. Please retain this number and refer to it in any correspondence with BGE about your job. Use the Work Order Number to track your job from beginning to end.

Step 3
BGE will evaluate and determine if our existing gas and electric infrastructure is adequate to meet your request. We will then develop an engineering plan or preliminary routing sketch proposing our work plan to meet your request for service.

Step 4
BGE will send a copy of the Preliminary Routing Sketch. The Preliminary Routing Sketch will reflect agreed upon transformer and meter locations and a proposed route to BGE construction.

Reminder, anytime BGE is required to deviate from our standard practices and procedures, you will be responsible for all additional costs.

Design

Preparing a detailed work plan is phase two of the construction project process:

Step 1
A Designer will contact you to confirm that the initial information you gave BGE is still accurate.

Load information - If it has changed, make sure BGE has the correct connected load information: cubic-feet-per-hour (CFH) and kilowatt (kW) needs.

Voltage class and gas delivery pressure - Check to make certain that the equipment you're using requires standard gas pressure and standard electric service or that you inform us otherwise.

Transformer and meter locations - Let us know if the proposed transformer or agreed upon meter locations have changed.

Responsible person - Confirm who are the responsible parties for managing your portion of the project: owner, electrician, HVAC contractor, plumber, construction superintendent, and who if anyone, is authorized to sign the final design print, besides the owner.

Detailed utility site plans - Confirm that BGE has the final plans, showing where easements, property lines, and other on-site utility lines are located: fuel, water, sewer, telephone, electric, etc. This facilitates design turnaround time and minimizes the possibility of changes later. Please notify BGE immediately if any detail of your plan requirements change.

Step 2
BGE will prepare a detailed gas and electric installation design, including the specific plans needed for our construction crews to perform the work.

We will apply for the utility permits required for the installation of our facilities. The time this takes varies, depending on the location and type of permit. On average, the standard utility permit requires 4-8 weeks for approval. However, some permits may take considerably longer.

Step 3
BGE will estimate the job costs, labor, and materials required to complete your project. Then we will determine the appropriate charges for the installation and contact you with a final job cost.

Step 4
BGE will send a contract and a copy of the Final Design Print to be signed.

Step 5
You return the signed contract, payment, signed design print, and any right-of-way agreements. You'll need to complete this step before your job can be released to construction.

Note: For townhouse developments, BGE will not proceed with work until signed design drawings are received from both the developer and builder.

Any changes subsequent to the execution of the contract, such as significant changes in connected load, voltage class, delivery pressure, transformer and meter location, or inadequate site conditions will delay our work and may result in additional costs for re-engineering, design and/or construction.

Site Readiness

Planning for your meters and site preparation is phase three of the construction project process:

Step 1
Before you install your wiring and piping, and before we run the exterior line, please review the gas and electric meter location requirements listed in this booklet.

Make sure you inform BGE of any change from these initial agreements:

Meter set date
Meter set location
Equipment or load specifications
Delivery pressure
Voltage class

If metering equipment is to be installed within 3 feet of an area subject to vehicular traffic (driveway, alley, roadway, garage, etc.), you will be required to provide protection for the equipment, typically a concrete-filled steel board or bollards, at your cost. Other requirements may apply.

Step 2
You install your interior electrical wiring and gas piping.

Step 3
It's your responsibility to obtain all necessary jurisdictional inspections of all interior electrical wiring and gas piping to be connected to BGE meters. The county or city jurisdictional inspector will then release a certificate of approval to BGE. BGE cannot set any meters without a certificate of approval.

Step 4
Customer ducts and transformer pad must be installed as shown on your signed BGE Design plan and in accordance with BGE specifications. (Materials are available and may be purchased from BGE.)

Step 5
Please ensure you have complied with the following agreed-upon site preparation for our equipment:

Site must be within six inches of final grade.
Install and mark in 3' intervals: water, sewer, storm drain, and all other non-BGE utilities.
Locate and clearly mark all private underground facilities on private property. Examples includes well water line, septic field, private lighting, underground sprinkler system, invisible fence wires, etc.
Clear the site of all building materials, trees, stumps, and other obstructions along the route of the proposed BGE facilities.
Locate and clearly mark proposed property/curb lines on your job site.
Locate and clearly mark proposed transformer locations.
Install transformer pads and conduits with pull strings.
Install Load Cable/Gas Piping through building wall.

Construction & Restoration

Service installation and site restoration is phase four of the construction project process:

All personnel working on the installation of the BGE gas and electric service lines are trained and certified. If a BGE-authorized contractor does the construction work; a BGE inspector will monitor quality control on the site.

Step 1
Once your site is ready notify BGE to schedule construction of your project. Call BGE at 1-800-233-1854. Please have your Work Order Number and Job Address ready.

Step 2
BGE will call Miss Utility to mark the existing public underground utility lines (electric, gas, cable TV, phones, water, sewer, etc.). Miss Utility requires 48-hour notice.

Step 3
After Miss Utility marks the existing underground utility lines, BGE may need to dig test holes to verify the depth and location of underground lines to avoid damage during construction.

Step 4
BGE will install the gas and/or electric lines: Expect heavy equipment, such as backhoes, to be working around your facility. Crews from BGE or BGE contractor crews will install your lines from the gas and electric mains to the meter location. Construction equipment may be left overnight. Holes and trenches may be open during construction for connections and safety testing. All trenches and holes will be clearly marked with safety cones and/or safety fencing.

Step 5
BGE will install the gas meter assembly and electric meter socket box. If BGE has already received the certificate of approval from the jurisdictional authority, we will install the gas meter and/or the electric meter.

Step 6
Your plumber connects the building piping to your main gas valve (the point-of-service connection). BGE will connect the electric load cable to the meter socket box.

Step 7
Customer to install meter protection. If the meters are installed in locations subject to damage, the customer will be responsible for the installation of BGE-authorized meter protection.

Step 8
BGE will restore your property. During our construction, we minimize the disturbance of established lawns and pavement wherever practical. While we try our best not to disturb any existing paving, shrubbery, trees, plants, or lawn, it is not always possible.

Step 9
Once construction is complete, BGE will restore the affected areas of your property as promptly as possible.

If sidewalk or roadway sections have to be removed, temporary paving may be necessary. It may take several weeks before permanent paving is completed.

During winter months, permanent paving may be postponed until the weather is warmer.

Existing lawns will be reseeded. If the installation work is done in the winter, we'll return in the spring - a more suitable time for seeding.

The time required for restoration of your property will depend on weather conditions and the extent of the disturbed area.