The green pastures and bustling wildlife of rural living is a draw for many people. Moving outside the internal hustle and bustle of metropolitan centres to the quieter and more peaceful setting of the country draws more and more people every year. But buying a rural property brings forth issues you might not encounter when buying property in the city.
One such issue is the ownership of the hydro poles on your rural property. In most cases, your local hydro department maintains and manages the poles that are along the roadside. Rural properties frequently have additional poles that extend onto the property outside the designated hydro corridor. Maintenance of these poles is the responsibility of the homeowner. Over time, wood that comes in contract with soil will begin to deteriorate and will eventually need to be replaced. Your local hydro company will periodically monitor the hydro poles on your property to ensure that the poles and connection to your home are in good condition and do not pose a hazard.
If your poles are past their current life expectancy and are tagged for replacement, you could be in for a serious dent to your bank account. Having your poles replaced is a costly venture and depending on your area can cost $2000 or more per pole. Most local hydro providers are set up for this type of work and will likely give you a quote for pole replacement.
You can take steps when purchasing a home to ensure that the poles and incoming hydro lines are in good condition. Inspect the poles for areas of soft, damaged or spongy wood. Check the local regulations for line height and connections to the home. Finally, when in doubt request an inspection by a hydro authority as a condition of the sale.
It is entirely possible to find that perfect country retreat or rural paradise if you take time to seek it out. So with a little common sense and an eye for detail you can avoid the cost of having to replace one or more of the hydro poles. Then you can begin that slow pace of life surrounded by nature and wildlife.
