How much to bury an overhead service in conduit in Toronto?

Burying an overhead electrical service in Toronto typically runs $3,500–$8,500+ depending on the scope, and involves coordination between your electrician, Toronto Hydro, and possibly the City.

This is one of those projects where the homeowner cost is just one piece of the puzzle. The total expense involves a licensed electrical contractor running the underground conduit and service entrance, Toronto Hydro disconnecting and reconnecting at the pole, and potentially trenching across your property — sometimes under a driveway or landscaping, which adds significantly to the cost.

What drives the price is mostly the distance from the pole to your house, what's in the way (concrete driveway, mature landscaping, gardens), and the amperage of your service. Most Toronto homes run 100A or 200A services — if you're upgrading to 200A at the same time (which many homeowners do since you're already doing the work), budget an additional $1,500–$2,500 for the panel upgrade.

Typical Cost Ranges for Toronto/GTA

• Simple burial, short run (under 30 ft), no obstacles: $3,500–$5,000
• Mid-range (30–60 ft, some landscaping or concrete cutting): $5,000–$7,000
• Complex (long run, driveway boring, full service upgrade): $7,500–$12,000+

These figures reflect current Toronto market rates and include the electrician's labour, conduit materials, and coordination with Toronto Hydro. Toronto Hydro charges a reconnection fee separately — typically $300–$600 — billed directly to you.

On the permit side, this work requires an ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) permit, which your licensed electrician must pull. ESA inspection is mandatory before Toronto Hydro will reconnect your service. Never skip this step — unpermitted electrical work creates serious liability issues and can void your home insurance. Your electrician should be handling all of this, so ask specifically before hiring.

The trench itself must meet ESA depth requirements — minimum 18 inches for conduit in most residential applications, though your electrician will confirm based on conduit type and local conditions.

This is not a DIY project. Underground service work in Ontario must be performed by a licensed ESA-registered electrical contractor. The coordination with Toronto Hydro alone requires licensed involvement, and the liability exposure for unpermitted underground electrical work is significant.

Your next steps: Get 2–3 quotes from ESA-registered electricians who specifically mention Toronto Hydro coordination experience. Ask each contractor to confirm they'll handle the ESA permit and Toronto Hydro scheduling — some contractors hand that coordination back to the homeowner, which can cause delays. Spring and early summer are busy seasons, so book sooner rather than later if you're planning this for warmer months.

Browse licensed electricians in our directory at Toronto Construction Network to find ESA-verified contractors serving your area.