How are similar vacant properties in the area priced that have easier power access? The expensive access may already be priced into what you're paying.

They will most likely also require that you grant them a right of way across your property to install the poles, read the fine print as to how much or little access that will give them

But no, it is not the utilities company's responsibility to get power to your property line

It's 100% normal for you as the property owner to have to pay to get power to it.

Every Utility is different. It depends on what is stated in the Tariff. For instance, my utility will provide up to three poles of power with a transformer and drops to your location. Anything above an beyond that is the customer's responsibility.

OP:

I've developed three farms....most recenty in Montague County between Forestburg and Saint Jo. I have Pentex as my electrical provider. What Pentex is telling you is consistent with their fee schedule to me. I ran both above ground and underground with numerous poles and two transformer boxes.

I've never seen an instance in Texas where the electrical coop was responsible for the cost of running line to your property. Some may do it, but I've never seen it for free. And as others have said, if you want to run line across other's property, you will need to talk them into an boilerplate easement from Pentex. And yes, read the fine print of your easement with Pentex, realize it's not fair and that there is nothing you can do about it if you want electricity on your place. And yes in many rural locations in Texas, having electricity already run to a property/site is a very valuable feature and usually included in consideration of asking price. Never underestimate the cost/value of electrical/water/road/fence infrastructure on rural properties when shopping/selling rural property.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss in greater detail...or if you're even out at your place and want to make contact with a fellow ag.

ETA: $10K to get to your meter box is pretty reasonable....my total was closer to $25K and I already had 200 feet of line running to a meter on my property. I did run a lot of line in two different directions and a few hundred feet was underground...that's why.

It is not the utility companies responsibility to provide you power to your property line. What they are telling you as far as getting it to your property line is correct and that quoted cost is in line as well.
Also, unless they can come down an existing public ROW, like down a highway or county road to place their poles, they will have to get permission for a ROW through your neighbor. That neighbor does not have to give that permission, and negotiations will have to be carried out to do that.
Once they get to your property line is where it's gets different depending on the policy of that particular electric company co-op. Some will give you a certain distance free and you pay the rest. Some don't. With some the cost depends on if the power will be to a permanent residence with a well or running it just for a deer camp etc.
You also need to check for the cost of setting the meter on the post and if that is included in their cost.
Honestly, if I was buying the property, I would make having the power run and your meter loop set as part of the deal in contingency to you closing on it. Negotiate that as part of the purchase price and let the seller have the responsibility of accomplishing that.
It may be too late for that if you have already signed an offer.
I had to pay our co-op 12K 30 years ago to get power so don't fret to much over it.

Sound wisdom Harley. I went through the same thing when I bought our ranch.
I was literally out of money and financed to the hilt when I bought our place. I was a babe in the woods and didn't even think about getting power.
I borrowed 12 K from my dad to be able and get power.
Our house sits where it is today because that was as far as I could go in the property and afford to get power.
True story. It ended up being a good spot though.

OP, our Coop had a $2000 rebate if the permanent residential service was established within 2 years if I'm not mistaken. Of course we missed that (built a barn with a casita first, then house following. Casita didn't count). You might check into that if by chance they offer it.

Electric service is expensive, then water well, septic, fences, ......................

I always figured finding a property with an established homestead with a run-down old house would be perfect, but those are few and far between.

Old Indian Chief tell white man that "Ranch" is old Indian word for " better have Gold mine".

You got that right Gunny.

Gold mine or REALLY good credit!


(ETA: OP of course it's all a trade off, and I wouldn't change a thing - from the peace and quiet, critters, etc).

I'm no expert, but $10k sounds legit for how far you need it to be run. Actually, sounds somewhat cheap.

However, depending on your consumption needs and what you want to build on that property, you might also want to look into a solar array and power wall /storage solution. I think costs for that stuff has been steadily coming down, to where around $10k might be getting close to a crossing point... plus, it gets you off-grid and not dependent on a public utility's service with monthly invoices.

It's called a line extension policy and it should be posted on their website. It outlines the cost, etc. $10K sounds reasonable and even cheap. Poles, wire, insulators, and transformers are not cheap now. They are also probably applying a line extension credit to get it to that cost. You are paying what the utility calls CIAC (Contribution In Aid of Construction) the rest of the cost is recovered in their rates.