Converting to underground service is ideal for customers who want overhead clearance for a pool, deck or patio. The process of converting your service consists of installing your new underground service and then removing your existing overhead service.

The following information will provide you with the basic steps for converting overhead to underground service.

Steps for installation

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can access your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time.

Please have the following information available:

• Your full name
• Telephone number
• Service address/major cross streets
• City/township
• DTE Energy account number

2. We'll provide a consultation

A DTE planning representative will contact you to schedule a visit to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modification plans such as swimming pool, deck or patio, please mention these during your call.

3. Consider a customer-installed trench for cost savings (optional)

During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.

If you decide to dig your own trench, you'll reduce your installation costs, but add more steps to the process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route.

Note: Before you begin digging, you will need to identify the location of existing underground utilities. MISS DIG is the specialized central clearinghouse for this service, processing requests to locate and stake most underground public utility service. Visit MISS DIG for more information.

4. Know your service options during construction

We will help you choose the service option that best meets your immediate needs:

• A meter box can usually be installed after the house has been framed and wired.
• If facilities are available, we can provide temporary electric service.

5. Complete a municipal inspection

Most municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. The inspector will verify that the installation meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the municipality's local ordinance standards.

6. Arrange a DTE Energy inspection

When your municipality has approved your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure our standards are met for your service and safety.

7. Begin the underground service installation

We'll begin within 15 working days, unless delayed by poor weather conditions, storms or power outages. When delays occur, we make every attempt to resume our installation schedule within two weeks of power restoration. The installation of your overhead service drop and the meter in the meter box will complete the construction of your electric service installation.

The conversion or actual construction phase of your electric service will be completed in two stages.

Stage 1

An underground installation crew will:

• Dig a trench using approved construction equipment, unless you have already dug your own.
• Install the underground electric cable in the trench.
• Make the connections in your meter and at the power source.
• Backfill and mound the soil over the trench.

Stage 2

An overhead installation crew will:

• Remove the overhead service lines
• Connect the underground cable at the pole.

Please note that you or your contractor are responsible for:

• Further site restoration, such as compacting the soil, covering the soil with sod or other landscaping.
• Removing the overhead attachment point, overhead service entrance cable and overhead meter box from the house.
• Contacting and coordinating utilities such as your telephone and/or cable TV suppliers.

Tips on landscaping:

Appropriate clearances are important for providing safe working conditions when our field personnel are maintaining the electrical equipment on your property. The area around your meter box must be clear of permanent structures, such as shrubs, trees and central air-conditioning units. Transformers or other electrical sources that are used to connect and regulate your underground electrical service must also be clear of obstructions for periodic maintenance. When selecting a planting location, also avoid planting too close to other underground utilities such as gas, water and sewer lines.

If you have any nearby pole-to-pole overhead lines, remember trees branch outward as well as upward, and need adequate space to grow. By finding the right spot to plant your tree now, you can avoid interference with overhead electric power lines in the future. Tree limbs, which can knock down or come in contact with power lines, are the most common cause of power outages. We recommend you contact your local nursery when selecting a tree for planting near pole-to-pole power lines. DTE Energy will maintain necessary clearances for overhead pole-to-pole power lines.

Steps for Demolition

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can assess your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time. 

Please have the following information available: 

• Your full name 
• Telephone number 
• Service address and major cross streets 
• City or township 
• DTE Energy account number 

2. Consultation 

One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a consultation to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modifications for your home or business building, please mention these during your call. If plans are available, please send them to the representative.  

If you are in DTE’s natural gas service area in southern Michigan, please call (800) 338-0178. In all other areas of Michigan, call (800) 533-6220. If you are not a DTE natural gas customer, please contact your natural gas provider. 

3. Site Visit  

We will perform a site visit to discuss the scope of the job. Please ensure the site is accessible and remove obstacles for proper assessments of equipment and work involved. 

4. Payment  

If a pole or an overhead or underground transformer needs to be removed or relocated at the site, we will send a Contract Agreement. Payment and a signed agreement are due before demolition is scheduled. 

5. Demolition  

If you have service removal only, expect a Letter of Clearance once all fieldwork is completed. 

If construction is needed, all equipment must be removed from the property. Once fieldwork is completed, you will receive a Letter of Clearance. 

6. Final Documentation 

Once you receive the Letter of Clearance from us, please submit it to the municipality. When we receive approval from the municipality, we will notify you when we schedule the demolition.  

Steps for Moving Poles or Wires

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can assess your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time. 

Please have the following information available: 

• Your full name 
• Telephone number 
• Service address and major cross streets 
• City or township 
• DTE Energy account number 

If the following information is requested, please send it to us: 

• Site plans 
• Proof of Ownership  
• Legal description of the property 

2. Consultation 

One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a consultation to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modification plans such as a swimming pool, deck or patio, please mention these during your call. If other utilities are involved, please contact those companies directly.  

3. Site Visit 

We will perform a site visit to discuss the scope of the job. Please ensure the site is accessible and remove obstacles for us to provide proper assessment of the equipment needed and work involved.  

If it is necessary for us to enter a neighboring property, the residential property owner must be present for the duration of the site visit. Please make arrangements with any affected neighbors to ensure they are present during the site visit. If all sites are not accessible, work will not begin.  

4. Joint Use 

Before we move your pole(s) or any wires connected to pole(s), we will inform you about any third-party companies (e.g., a telecommunications company) that have a wire(s) connected to the pole that you are requesting to be moved. We refer to such third-party companies as a “joint-use company.” You are responsible for contacting each joint-use company to request that the joint-use company relocates its wire(s).  

You are also responsible for any costs associated with the joint-use companies moving their equipment. You must send the joint-use liaison information to your DTE representative. Once the joint-use company move is approved, you are responsible for sending a joint-use approval confirmatory email to your DTE representative.  

Please be advised, if an agreement between you and joint user(s) cannot be made, DTE will not proceed with the work. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the joint-user company to remove its equipment, work will not begin until the joint user has completed the work of removing its equipment. 

4. Design 

We will submit a preliminary design of the relocation and potentially perform a site visit with you and all joint users. A copy of the preliminary design is given to the customer to coordinate with the other joint users. You will need to contact all joint users to share the design and present their estimated cost of relocation. Once all parties agree to re-routing potential easements, permits then formal contracts are issued. Any costs from joint users are the customer’s responsibility. 

5. Final Documentation 

We will send a Contract Agreement (more than one agreement if additional services are required) for you to complete and return along with payment.* Additional documents are sent if necessary. The process will not move forward until your paperwork is submitted to DTE. Please be sure to provide us with your current mailing address and email to send documentation and avoid delays. 

*Payment and a signed agreement are due before construction is scheduled. 

After we are finished, you are required to reach out to your Joint User liaison to inform them that we have completed our work and they can come to relocate their equipment. 

Steps for Installation 

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can assess your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time. 

Residential customers, please have the following information available:

• Your full name 
• Telephone number 
• Service address and major cross streets 
• City or township 
• DTE Energy account number (If you need access to your online account, please sign in or create an online account.) 

Commercial customers, please have this additional information available: 

• DTE load sheet 
• Riser diagram 
• Proof of Ownership  
• Legal description of property 

2. Consultation  

One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a consultation to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modification plans such as a swimming pool, deck or patio, please mention these during your call. 

3. Site Visit 

We will perform a site visit to discuss the scope of the job. Please ensure the site is accessible and remove obstacles for proper assessments of equipment and work involved.  

After a service route is determined, please clearly identify and expose ALL private utilities such as sprinkler or septic systems. It’s a good idea to call MISS DIG at 8-1-1 to mark any known underground lines.  

DTE will not be held responsible for damage to private utilities not clearly staked by the customer. 

4. Dig Your Own Trench (Optional)  

During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.  

If you decide to dig your trench, it will help you reduce installation costs but add more steps to the process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route. 

Note: Before digging, you will need to identify the location of existing underground utilities. MISS DIG is the specialized central clearinghouse for this service, processing requests to locate and stake most underground public utility services. Call 811 for more information. 

Please note, we do not do any landscape restoration. 

4. During Construction, Know Your Service Options

We will help you choose the best service option to meet your immediate needs. 

• Our representative will determine the location of the building service and meter equipment. 
• If facilities are available, we can provide temporary electric service and a pre-construction meter mount may be installed. 

5. Municipal Inspection 

Municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. The inspector will verify the installation meets the National Electrical Code and the municipality's local ordinance standards. 

6. Final Inspection

When your municipality approves your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure our standards are met for your safety and service. We will take final measurements as needed. 

We will also verify a city inspection is complete through validation of the approval sticker or confirmation provided by the city inspector.  

7. Final Documentation  

We will send a Contract Agreement for you to complete and return along with payment.* Additional documents are sent if necessary. The process will not move forward until all paperwork is submitted. Please be sure to provide us with your current mailing address and email to send documentation and avoid delays. 

*Payment and a signed agreement are due before construction is scheduled. 

Steps for Installation

The following information will provide you with the basic steps for the increase or relocation of your current service. 

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can assess your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time. 

Residential customers, please have the following information available:

• Your full name 
• Telephone number 
• Service address and major cross streets 
• City or township 
• DTE Energy account number 

Commercial customers, please have this additional information available: 

• DTE Load Sheet 
• Riser Diagram 

2. Consultation  

One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a consultation to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modification plans such as a swimming pool, deck or patio, please mention these during your call. 

3. Site Visit 

We will perform a site visit to discuss the scope of the job. Please ensure the site is accessible and remove obstacles for proper assessments of equipment and work involved.  

After a service route is determined, please ensure to clearly identify and expose ALL private utilities such as sprinkler or septic systems. It’s a good idea to call MISS DIG at 8-1-1 to mark any known underground lines. 

4. Dig Your Own Trench (Optional) 

During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.  

If you decide to dig your trench, it will help you reduce installation costs but add more steps to the process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route. 

Note: Before digging, you will need to identify the location of existing underground utilities. MISS DIG is the specialized central clearinghouse for this service, processing requests to locate and stake most underground public utility services. Call 811 for more information. 

Please note, we do not do any landscape restoration. 

4. During Construction, Know Your Service Options 

We will help you choose the best service option to meet your immediate needs. Your representative will determine the location of the building service and meter equipment. 

5. Municipal Inspection 

Municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. The inspector will verify the installation meets the National Electrical Code and the municipality's local ordinance standards. 

6. Final Inspection 

When your municipality approves your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure our standards are met for your safety and service. We will take final measurements as needed. 

We will also verify a city inspection is complete through validation of the approval sticker or confirmation provided by the city inspector. 

7. Final Documentation  

We will send a Contract Agreement (more than one agreement if additional services are required) for you to complete and return along with payment.* Additional documents are sent if necessary. The process will not move forward until your paperwork is submitted to DTE. Please be sure to provide us with your current mailing address and email to send documentation and avoid delays. 

*Payment and a signed agreement are due before construction is scheduled.

8. Begin Service Installation & Modification 

We will begin within 15 working days after receipt of a signed Contract Agreement and payment unless delayed by poor weather conditions, storms or power outages. When delays occur, we attempt to resume our installation schedule within two weeks of power restoration. The installation of your underground service and the meter in the meter box will complete the construction of your electric service installation.

Steps for Installation

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can assess your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time. 

Please have the following information available: 

• Your full name 
• Telephone number 
• Service address and major cross streets 
• City or township 
• DTE Energy account number 

2. Consultation 

One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a consultation to review the details of the job. If you're considering future exterior modification plans such as a swimming pool, deck or patio, please mention these during your call. If the pool location is identified, you must have the location staked/flagged prior to us visiting site. 

Please note, the Michigan Public Service Commission mandates customers pay for the conversion from overhead to underground lines.  

3. Site Visit 

We will perform a site visit to discuss the scope of the job. Please ensure the site is accessible and remove obstacles for proper assessments of equipment and work involved.  

After a service route is determined, please ensure to clearly identify and expose ALL private utilities such as sprinkler or septic systems. It’s a good idea to call MISS DIG at 8-1-1 to mark any known underground lines. 

4. Dig Your Own Trench (Optional)  

During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.  

If you decide to dig your trench, it will help you reduce installation costs but add more steps to the process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route. 

Note: Before digging, you will need to identify the location of existing underground utilities. MISS DIG is the specialized central clearinghouse for this service, processing requests to locate and stake most underground public utility services. Call 811 for more information. 

Please note, we do not do any landscape restoration. 

4. During Construction, Know Your Service Options 

We will help you choose the best service option to meet your immediate needs:  

• Our representative will determine the location of the building service and meter equipment. 
• If facilities are available, we can provide temporary electric service and a pre-construction meter mount may be installed. 

5. Municipal Inspection

Municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. The inspector will verify the installation meets the National Electrical Code and the municipality's local ordinance standards. 

6. Final Inspection 

When your municipality approves your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure our standards are met for your safety and service. We will take final measurements as needed. 

We will also verify a city inspection is complete through validation of the approval sticker or confirmation provided by the city inspector. 

7. Final Documentation  

We will send a Contract Agreement (more than one agreement if additional services are required) for you to complete and return along with payment.* Additional documents are sent if necessary. The process will not move forward until your paperwork is submitted to DTE. Please be sure to provide us with your current mailing address and email to send documentation and avoid delays. 

*Payment and a signed agreement are due before construction is scheduled.

8. Begin Service Installation & Modification 

We will begin within 15 working days after receipt of a signed Contract Agreement and payment unless delayed by poor weather conditions, storms or power outages. When delays occur, we attempt to resume our installation schedule within two weeks of power restoration. The installation of your underground service and the meter in the meter box will complete the construction of your electric service installation.

See the current transformer impedances for power distribution transformers. This information helps in calculating available fault current.

Underground service means the electrical power cable coming from our power source to your home is buried underground. It's ideal for customers who want overhead clearance for a pool, deck or patio.

The following information will provide you with the basic steps for installing new underground service.

Steps for installation

1. Contact Us at (800) 338-0178

Make sure to call us early in the planning stages so we can access your needs and determine costs. For some customers, we may need to extend higher voltage power lines, which requires additional time.

Please have the following information available:

• Your full name
• Telephone number
• Address of new service/major cross streets
• City/township
• Lot number (if applicable)
• Subdivision name (if applicable)
• In-care-of mailing address for billing purposes
• Social Security Number or other identification
• DTE Energy account number, if you're a current customer

2. We'll provide a consultation

A DTE planning representative will contact you to schedule a visit to review the details of the job:

• Site plan (if applicable)
• Electric load information (your electrician may assist you)
• Proof of ownership (if applicable)
• Future exterior modification plans such as swimming pool, deck or patio

Once we have this information, we'll inspect your site to determine the nearest power source, meter location options and related installation costs.

3. Consider a customer-installed trench for cost savings (optional)

During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.

If you decide to dig your own trench, you'll reduce your installation costs, but add more steps to the process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route.

Note: Before you begin digging, you will need to identify the location of existing underground utilities. MISS DIG is the specialized central clearinghouse for this service, processing requests to locate and stake most underground public utility service. Visit MISS DIG for more information.

4. Know your service options during construction

We will help you choose the service option that best meets your immediate needs:

A meter box can usually be installed after the house has been framed and wired.
If facilities are available, we can provide temporary electric service.
A Pre-Construction Meter Mount can provide underground service after you complete the building foundation. This eliminates the need for temporary service installation.

5. Initiate installation with an electrician

Your licensed electrician or electrical contractor will install your DTE Energy-approved meter box (PDF) and service entrance cable. Our representative will explain the required specifications about your installation. These installations may require an electrical permit before work can begin. Contact your local municipality about the necessary permits and inspections.

6. Complete a municipal inspection

Most municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. The inspector will verify that the installation meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the municipality's local ordinance standards.

7. Arrange a DTE Energy inspection

When your municipality has approved your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure our standards are met for your service and safety.

8. Begin the underground service installation

We'll begin within 15 working days, unless delayed by poor weather conditions, storms or power outages. When delays occur, we make every attempt to resume our installation schedule within two weeks of power restoration.

An underground installation crew will:

• Dig a trench using approved construction equipment, unless you have already dug your own.
• Install the underground electric cable in the trench.
• Make the connections in your meter and at the power source.
• Backfill and mound the soil over the trench. Note: further site restoration, such as compacting the soil, covering the soil with sod or other landscaping is not included.

Tips on landscaping

Appropriate clearances are important for providing safe working conditions when our field personnel are maintaining the electrical equipment on your property. The area around your meter box must be clear of permanent structures, such as shrubs, trees and central air-conditioning units. Transformers or other electrical sources that are used to connect and regulate your underground electrical service must also be clear of obstructions for periodic maintenance. When selecting a planting location, also avoid planting too close to other underground utilities such as gas, water and sewer lines.

If you have any nearby pole-to-pole overhead lines, remember trees branch outward as well as upward, and need adequate space to grow. By finding the right spot to plant your tree now, you can avoid interference with overhead electric power lines in the future. Tree limbs, which can knock down or come in contact with power lines, are the most common cause of power outages. We recommend you contact your local nursery when selecting a tree for planting near pole-to-pole power lines. DTE Energy will maintain necessary clearances for overhead pole-to-pole power lines.

9. Receive your first bill

You should receive your first electric service bill within 35 days of installation. If this does not occur, please contact us at (800) 477-4747.

Underground trenching in the winter months requires extra resources if performed by DTE Energy. Have a look at our guidelines to help avoid paying additional fees in the colder months.

Prior to November 1

No winter construction charges on main-line trenching if customers meet all the following conditions:

• Conduct a successful final walk on-site construction meeting to confirm the customer's readiness, as follows:
  • Sewer and water installed
  • Installed road crossings identified
  • Grade established within 4 inches of final grade
  • Grade stakes placed at all permanent above-ground DTE Energy equipment
  • Transformer locations marked with a 10-foot offset stake
  • Clear trenching route, level with a side slope of not more than 1-foot rise in 10 feet, or a shelf sufficiently wide and level to accommodate the trenching machine
  • All pertinent lot corners and other underground items staked and identified as determined by a DTE Energy representative
• Stake the trench route for apartments and condominiums.
• Stake and identify building corners if buildings are not already under construction.
• Install and correctly wire service entrance points if installing services at the time of main line trenching.
• Submit total payment, letter of credit, or letter of escrow five days prior to construction start.
• Sign proper agreements and return them to their DTE Energy Planner no later than five days prior to start of construction.

7 working days prior to December 15

No winter construction charges on main-line trenching if customers meet all the following conditions:

• Final grade (within four (4) inches) established
• Clear route for trenching
• Site accessible
• Address or lot numbers clearly visible from road
• Lot lines staked
• House wired:
  • Meter enclosure
  • Riser pipe, support clamp, and insulating bushing
  • Main distribution panel with main disconnect and panel cover installed
  • Service entrance cable
  • Grounding
  • Application for service made with DTE Energy and prepayment made

December 15 – March 31

All underground trenching is subject to a non-refundable additional cost of $1.00 per trench foot.