ᐅ Electrical Work – When Is It Permissible to Install an Electrical Meter Panel?

Hello everyone,

We are currently building three townhouses. Since our general contractor (GC) has stopped work, we unfortunately had to pause the construction.

At the moment, we have a completed basement and a finished ground floor including the ceiling above it. The houses are already connected to utilities, including a multi-utility house entry point.

The temporary power box on the construction site belongs to the GC's electrician and will probably be removed soon.

Our question now is whether we need a new temporary power box (including interim billing and registration with the utility company, Netze BW) or if it might be possible or allowed to install and register the distribution board in the basement already, so that construction power is no longer necessary later.

- The basement will not be plastered and will remain in its current condition.

If I have missed any important details, please feel free to ask.

In our case, it was sufficient that the utility connections were located in a locked room, meaning the basement room had to be closed off at the top (finished ceiling) and lockable, with a construction door being enough. You might need to check whether standard electrical outlets are sufficient or if the electrician should install a high-voltage connection as well.

We also decided early on to forgo temporary construction power, since the household electricity was 5 cents cheaper per kWh, which made a significant difference overall—especially during the building drying phase.

Without knowing the background that led to the construction halt, I would suggest trying to speak directly with the electrician to see if a solution can be found. This applies if your issues are only with the general contractor and not the electrician. If the electrician is the main cause or involved in the problem, then you obviously have a bigger issue.

In my opinion, with a multi-utility connection and as long as no other trade objects, household electricity can already be connected. However, if the connection is inside the house, you will also depend on the appointment with the network operator.

Just try talking to the grid operator or your electrician!

I believe the room should at least be lockable.

In our case, the construction site was without electricity for quite a long time. Most tradespeople managed well with battery-powered tools!

Tolentino schrieb:

Without knowing the background that led to the construction stop, I would try to contact the electrician directly to see if a solution can be found.

We already tried that. The electrician hasn’t been paid by the general contractor (GC) either and now wants the money from us. Since we have already significantly overpaid the GC, I can’t cover the invoices for the GC’s subcontractors as well.

RotorMotor schrieb:

In our case, the construction site was without electricity for quite a while. Most of the tradespeople managed well with battery-powered tools!

Yes, that won’t work for us because we need a crane, and it requires three-phase power.

BBaumeister schrieb:

For us, it was enough that the house connections were located in a locked room, meaning: the basement room had to be fully enclosed at the top (finished ceiling) and lockable, with a construction door being sufficient. What you might want to clarify is whether regular power outlets are enough or if the electrician should also install a three-phase power connection.

Does this mean that only the room with the temporary power panel needed to be lockable, or was an exterior door required as well?

Ok, this is really complicated. Especially if the general contractor goes into insolvency, it could even happen that you still have to pay the remaining amount to the general contractor (in addition) when hiring a new electrician. Definitely consult a lawyer.

Regarding lockability, make sure to ask the utility provider.

By the way, a temporary construction power box can be locked and can also be placed outside. In most cases, the house connection room must be lockable according to the utility provider's requirements.