1. Property evaluation
Everything that follows, the written scope, the utility coordination, the scheduled outage, the inspection, and the closeout, depends on getting this first look right, which is why it is worth sharing more information here than feels necessary rather than less.
2. Written scope and utility application
The proposal should define electrical equipment, ratings, permits, utility coordination, downtime, exclusions, finish work, and change-order rules. The provider submits required utility information where applicable.
3. Scheduling and installation
A coordinated shutdown allows the provider to replace or modify equipment and complete required service work. Weather, utility availability, inspections, and discovered conditions can affect timing.
4. Inspection and closeout
Confirm labels, permits, inspection status, warranties, photos or records, updated directories, surge equipment, and any remaining restoration or utility work.
Step one: the service load calculation
Nothing sensible happens before this. The electrician calculates the existing and proposed load for the specific property, which determines the service size and produces the document that justifies it to the utility and the inspector. A quote issued without one is a guess.
Step two: establishing the serving utility
Greater Burlington is served by three utilities, Burlington Electric Department, Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Cooperative, and several towns sit in more than one territory. The application goes to whichever serves your exact address, and their requirements and lead times differ. Getting this wrong is the most common source of avoidable delay.
Step three: application and permit
The utility application and the electrical permit or work notice are separate processes with separate timelines. Both have to be in motion before a work date means anything, and the contract should say explicitly who files each and who pays the fees.
Step four: the work itself
Expect the property to be without power for a substantial part of a working day, sometimes longer. The scope commonly includes the panel, meter socket, service entrance conductors, grounding and bonding, and transferring every existing circuit to the new panel, which is where unexpected findings usually surface.
Step five: inspection and reconnection
The work is inspected, and the utility reconnects and re-energises once it passes. That sequence means an inspection failure delays reconnection, so a same-day finish depends on the work passing first time. Ask who is responsible for corrections and re-inspection fees before starting.
What commonly goes wrong
In order of frequency: the application went to the wrong utility; the disconnect was never actually scheduled; grounding work was assumed rather than quoted; a circuit was found unusable during transfer with no agreed pricing; and the outage ran past the working day because the inspection slot was missed.
Service upgrade stages
| Stage | What happens | Note from the guide |
|---|---|---|
| Property evaluation | Provider reviews service, panel, meter equipment, grounding, loads and access | Equipment specifications and future plans make it more accurate |
| Load calculation | Existing and proposed load for the specific property | Justifies the service size to the utility and inspector; a quote without one is a guess |
| Serving utility | Burlington Electric Department, Green Mountain Power or Vermont Electric Cooperative, by address | Several towns sit in more than one territory |
| Written scope | Equipment, ratings, permits, coordination, downtime, exclusions, finish work and change-order rules | Provider submits utility information where applicable |
| Utility application and permit | Two separate processes with separate timelines | Both in motion before a work date is set |
| Installation | A coordinated shutdown to replace or modify equipment | Weather, utility availability, inspections and discovered conditions can affect timing |
| Closeout | Labels, permits, warranties, records, directories and surge equipment | Confirm any remaining restoration or utility work |