Services

Dry Utility Project Profile, Due Diligence/Feasibility Studies

• Locate and determine capacities of the existing electric, telephone, natural gas, and cable television facilities.
• Determine points of feed and developer's responsibility.
• Confirm design and contract preparation time frame with each utility.
• Determine areas of probable conflict with the proposed sewer, water, and storm drain systems shown on civil engineering and/or architectural drawings.
• Prepare cost opinions identifying deposits, potential refunds and reimbursements, and installation construction costs.
• Determine potential sources and costs for temporary construction power and telephone service.
• Create master dry utility infrastructure plan.
• Prepare utility profile report, critical path schedule and recommendations to mitigate dry utility development constraints.

Feasibility Studies to locate existing electric, telephone, natural gas, and cable television facilities for major roadway improvements

• Determine areas of probable conflict with the proposed roadway improvements.
• Prepare cost opinions identifying relocation of facilities construction costs.
• Prepare critical path schedule
• Make recommendations for relocation of the facilities to mitigate the conflicts in the proposed roadway improvement.

Identify potential points of feed, feeder system requirements, and fusing needs.

• Evaluate system criteria associated with the utility requirements.
• Plan and prepare system concept designs using utility company design criteria, policies, and practices.
• Coordinate utility designs with civil engineering and architectural plans.
• Define utilities' and developer's installation responsibilities in accordance with regulator rules and tariffs.

The design of the electric utility system for residential and commercial developments with the goal of providing greater control over dry utility infrastructure costs and project schedule.

Underground Utility Design

The design of the electrical, natural gas, telephone, and cable television utility systems for residential and commercial developments has long been the exclusive responsibility of the Investor Owned Utilities. Now there are programs in place to allow for private firms to perform the design as well as the construction of the dry utilities. Our services include concept design, detailed design, construction estimates, utility interface, and construction support.

Builder/Developer Utility Design Benefits

• Control over large utility structure and transformer facility locations.
• Incorporation of project aesthetics into utility designs.
• Early design information for development team review and use.
• Quick response time to system design changes.
• Optimize project schedule control.
• Control over Dry Utility infrastructure costs.

Private Infrastructure District (PID) Formation

The world of utility distribution is the next area to become privatized. Imagine developing a privately owned and financed utility district that bypasses the traditional franchise. The benefits of such an arrangement are that the traditional capital costs are eliminated from your project, and long-term cash flows can be derived from the operations of such a district.

Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy

In this changing environment, the various State and Federal agencies and legislative bodies are continually drafting new rules and laws that effect the way we do business. Utility Specialists is involved on an ongoing basis in monitoring and providing input to these rulemaking and legislative processes.

Rate Analysis and Deregulation Consulting

Providing assistance to Clients to determine if the current utility tariffs and rates are correct for their situation and use patterns. We also provide assistance in contacting energy service providers and negotiating contracts to provide electricity and other ancillary services.

Interface between the Client, site superintendent, foreman, and utility inspectors to coordinate, plan, and complete the dry utility construction and meter sets in a timely manner.

• Manage project and coordinate critical path scheduling.
• Arrange for cable date/pre-construction conference and send appropriate notification letters.
• Monitor natural gas, electric, telephone and cable television system installations to determine schedule compliance.
• Mitigate field utility problems and coordinate with subcontractor.
• Coordinate field problem resolutions with Client's superintendent, utility contractor, and the utility representatives.
• Coordinate service installation for production units, model areas and temporary facilities.
• Provide project status update with Client's field superintendent.

With recent utility rules changing regarding refunds and the rapid pace of development, it is becoming increasingly difficult for homebuilders to track their own refunds. We can provide immediate financial results for you on any new or previous project by identifying and collecting eligible monies on your behalf.

• Analysis of all dry utility contracts for refundable and reimbursement values.
• Aggressive intervention at utilities to recover money in a timely manner.
• Quarterly written reports of refund status.
• Advocacy with agencies to expedite payment upon qualification.

Providing color exhibits in a design that is easy for a homebuyer to understand is an effective tool for your sales staff. Disclosure exhibits accomplish this by graphically depicting for the homebuyer all of the aboveground structures that impact their lot. We provide full color exhibits based on design plans and field verification identifying all utility facilities, HOA maintenance areas, fencing, slope features, etc. Lists of features can be tailored to meet the needs and requirements of each individual Client.