natural gas line - cost to install

shadowpuck · Oct 21, 2012

Hello everyone - first post here, but i've been searching and reading for a while now.

i'm currently working on my garage project - a 24x30 detached with 12 foot ceilings. i'm curious if others could share what a typical price range would be to have a natural gas line run? my garage is about 50 feet from the house/gas meter. i realize there will be various regional/location differences in pricing, but i'm just looking for ranges to expect if possible.

K72nova · Oct 21, 2012

I'm curious about this too, from what I've been reading the line itself is inexpensive but the fitting are pricey and having someone hook it up is costly as well.I have almost the exact same setup as you with a 24x30 with 12' ceiling but I am about 75 feet from my gas line. I have a neighbor that is a plumber who is supposed hook mine up for me, I'll try to give him a call and see what he has to say price wise.

bmwjerry · Oct 21, 2012

I think a big variable is the trench- Who is going to dig it? Can they get a machine in? Can you do it by hand? It maybe you just need to do about 18" and you can do it without a lot of problems. On the other hand if you have to dig yourself through hardpacked ground-- maybe then you're going to hire someone with a machine?
Probably you have to be 18" from any other electrical underground, not supposed to be in the same trench with electrical.
We used a yellow flexible pipe, expensive but not going to make that much of a difference-- still have to hook it up -- labor is going to be the big variable.
Haven't figured out what furnace to put in yet!

peth · Oct 21, 2012

I ran a gas line about 40 feet from the existing service to my detached garage. I have access to a mini x so I dug my own trench. Gas fitter supplied the pipe, risers, misc fittings, and about 15ft of black pipe. I ran all the lines and he did the actual connections and pressure test. Total cost was $700 including labor.

Angelfire · Oct 21, 2012

My plumber quoted me $800 to do mine. Labor and materials to install approx 130' underground 1" NG feed. He'll also pressure test and commission the line.

shadowpuck · Oct 22, 2012

good to see feedback - thank you everyone so far for posting up. i'm having a tough time getting folks to come out and bid here - the one bid i've received so far i was fairly certain was high for an area that isn't known for high cost of living, etc. first bid was $2800 for the gas line alone - that seemed outrageous to me, but wanted to get some background before making any assumptions.

i can take pictures of the area if needed, but this is very nearly a straight shot of about 50 feet from the meter to the new building.

deter · Oct 22, 2012

in my area, the gas company runs the line for a meter free of charge. Maybe you can get a second meter installed?

Plump · Oct 22, 2012

Interesting. This has been something on my mind for the last few years so I'm very interested in the responses. I certainly don't mean to hijack the thread but maybe give some insight as to what materials you'll use. That yellow flex pipe is great, but expensive. Can black pipe be laid underground without worry of degradation?

I look forward to more responses and ideas from everyone. Shadowpuck, if you move forward, we'd love to hear about costs and some pictures of the work.

Bronson · Oct 22, 2012

I went to ACE and rented the trencher. I went from the meter, around a corner, and 90 feet to My house. I also put a "Y" in the ditch to go to My shop (30x40). The plumber came out and ran the yellow gas line and hooked up pressure test. shop passed, but the house failed. :sad:

I did all the piping and heater install inside the shop. :thumbup:

In the end, the gas line was about $600, to service house and shop. I had the same plumber re-pipe the house while he was here, for $450. Only gas in the house is central heat, water heater, and stove. Not that much expense, as I will never have to worry about gas lines again, in My lifetime. :thumbup:

mrpowderkeg · Oct 22, 2012

Im in the process of doing just this before the ground freezes. I got about two or three weeks I figure. From my house to my shop I have to run 3/4 line, I figure about 100 feet, but I will get an exact figure tonight. It's right at about 400 for the pipe and the two risers. Installation is more. I will dig my own trench for it. But I will pay the heating and air company to hook it all up, it would take me a lot longer to do it than it would take them.

regancc · Oct 22, 2012

If you are not opposed to using flexible gas line, Menard's has a 75 ft roll for $169.99...

I don't know if this is something you can bury or not...

http://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...ing/3-4-x-75-csst-tubing/p-1405745-c-9529.htm

I am planning a run from my basement, into my garage, up into the rafters and over to the outside end wall where I will install my hanging gas heater...about a 50' run. My plumber said he would charge me $300 for the entire job...I'm gonna jump on that!

Good luck...let us know what you end up doing.

Chip

BD1 · Oct 22, 2012

Plump said:
Interesting. This has been something on my mind for the last few years so I'm very interested in the responses. I certainly don't mean to hijack the thread but maybe give some insight as to what materials you'll use. That yellow flex pipe is great, but expensive. Can black pipe be laid underground without worry of degradation?

I look forward to more responses and ideas from everyone. Shadowpuck, if you move forward, we'd love to hear about costs and some pictures of the work.

In my area we have standard schedule 40 black pipe that is coated for underground natural gas. It can be threaded or welded. We normally use socket weld fittings. After fittings are installed and tested, there is a roll of tape that you wrap around pipe and fittings for protection and is for direct burial. Some jobs require pipe and others allow the flex pipe .

shadowpuck · Oct 22, 2012

great input everyone. i will definitely update once we move forward. other than some logistical issues in a few spots, this has been the most difficult part of the whole project. i'm doing all the low voltage wiring myself, and we did our own building wiring. i'm very familiar with low voltage so that was easy.

i'm researching what the code and rules are in my area to see just how much of this can be done myself. i can get access to a trench machine.

i've been talking to a few different folks on the heater itself - i'll post up once i have a decision made.

so, even allowing for regional differences, and once again, i'm not in an area that has a high cost of living - in fact, quite the opposite - i'm stunned by that original quote i received.

shadowpuck · Oct 29, 2012

i hope to have a couple more bids this week. i will update as i know more.

Plump · Oct 29, 2012

Keep us posted!

theoldwizard1 · Oct 29, 2012

Gas company came through here last year and installed new yellow plastic pipe from the street to the house, just because the metal pipe there was over 60 years old.

If anyone is thinking about adding a medium to large standby generator, you should know that is might require a larger pipe from the street to the meter.

tmars · Oct 29, 2012

I ran the 3/4 inch yellow tubing (pex like) about 100 feet from house to garage. It was like $75 for tubing and $75 a peice for the risers. I did 1 trench 48 inches deep, put water line in, back filled a foot and put gas and 2 inch electrical conduit in. I know lots will say it is wrong or dangerous, but was told by many that it was fine.

BD1 · Oct 29, 2012

theoldwizard1 said:
Gas company came through here last year and installed new yellow plastic pipe from the street to the house, just because the metal pipe there was over 60 years old.

If anyone is thinking about adding a medium to large standby generator, you should know that is might require a larger pipe from the street to the meter.

Don't know about your area, however, when new plastic piping is installed, it is high pressure. There will be a regulator at your meter.

shadowpuck · Nov 26, 2012

well, despite our best efforts we've been unable to get anyone to show up and give a bid. so, i have no updates on this at the moment.

i'm approaching crunch time to make a decision on HVAC for the garage - debating electric vs. propane (LP) at the moment.

CNGsaves · Nov 26, 2012

To ShadowPuck in Missouri, see similar thread at:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174879&highlight=groebner

I've researched this in our area (ie KS, OK, & MO) and buried yellow plastic polyethlene pipe is standard practice mandated by gas company, which is BEST and SAFE method.

Call Joe at Groebner & Associates in Kansas City Area (Shawnee, KS) and he'll give you everything you need to know. They are designated supplier for KS Gas Service in KC area and from my dealings with them are terrific low cost wholesaler to public as well. 1" IPS (iron pipe size) yellow plastic polyethlene thick wall pipe is what you will want and it's only 55 cents a foot. Line up a roadtrip to KC with a pickup (or vehicle with light utility trailer behind) and you can haul all the supplies back to your house that are needed. Do most of work yourself, then have plumber finish connections and perform pressure test for leaks.

I'd recommend taking Bronson advice and just rent a trencher and get the buried yellow plastic NG line at least 18 inches underground. Since buried plastic pipe will need ability to be "located" later, must also install TRACER wire in the trench along with plastic pipe. Be sure to call Dig Safe first to mark all your property for other buried utility lines so you don't trench into something else. Good luck!

Shocker · Nov 26, 2012

Here is WA, trench needs to be 30" deep and you need to drop in a steel wire at least 10g in size. This is due to the need to identify where the line is in the future. They use a magnetic sensor and most installations are plastic/PEX-AL-PEX line.

68rustang · Nov 29, 2012

I was just quoted $2500 to run a line 120' to my detached garage...

...Probably needless to say but I am getting other quotes

shadowpuck · Nov 29, 2012

that's still cheaper than the insane quote i received for a roughly 50' run.

i'm still hoping to get a couple more bids for natural gas, but i'm also researching propane at this point...

bochnak · Nov 29, 2012

I ran mine myself:

Trencher rental: $200
Yellow plastic line 150' spool : IIRC $80
Fittings: 30-40ea qty 2

shadowpuck · Nov 29, 2012

bochnak -
does your area require a plumber to perform the connections?

bochnak · Nov 29, 2012

shadowpuck said:
bochnak -
does your area require a plumber to perform the connections?

Yes, I forgot to mention that I paid $150 for labor and parts to have it trimmed in to meter and stubbed into garage. I ran the pipe to heater myself, can't remember the cost on that.

My trench was about 120', and took less than an hour to trench. Getting the dirt back in flat & growing grass back took much longer...LOL.

68rustang · Nov 29, 2012

Probably, I am capable of doing it. I just don't want to right now. Figured if I could find somebody to run it for a reasonable price I could cross it off my long list of "to do."

shadowpuck · Nov 29, 2012

68rustang - same here for me. i (and my neighbors, family, friends, etc.) have done a bulk of the work on this project, but free time is hard to find right now to devote to finishing this portion. like you say, i was hoping to find someone that could do it reasonably and then cross it off of my list.....

not so likely so far, for me. we'll see.

68rustang · Nov 29, 2012

Does anybody have any recommendations for a plumber in Cleveland, OH? I realize it's deer season but I can hardly get anybody to call me back.

stingry · Nov 29, 2012

OP, have you contacted your gas company? They have a vested interest in your project, ie, selling you more gas!! They have the equipment and the expertise to do the job.It just depends on how much they want your business!

Cheers
Steve

shadowpuck · Nov 29, 2012

we did contact the gas company right away initially - they referred us to a local, licensed plumber....
well, that was after putting us on hold for 55 minutes.....

darcyh · Nov 29, 2012

I am in the process of having a furnace and central air installed in the 2 storey shop. The guy doing the job is charging ~$1200 to dig and fill trench, run ~120 feet of line and all fittings. I'll try to post pics shortly.

Dave

68rustang · Dec 2, 2012

Well the price is getting better but still crazy if you ask me...

2nd guy came back at $2300...

Still waiting for one more quote.

CNGsaves · Dec 2, 2012

Sounds like Darcyh in Canada has got best deal I've heard of with $1,200 for 120' of buried plastic polyethlene NG pipe. I'm curious if this was for open trench or did they use vibratory plow and "pull" pipe into ground with the cool Ditch Witch or Vermeer machine that just puts plastic pipe down at proper level as it drives across yard?

For Shadowpuck and 68rustang, may need to gather specific cost of materials from Groebner in Shawnee, KS to show your quoting vendor and ask "how many hours" do they plan on working on your install as $2,300 sounds like they think it will take a week! I'd guess your materials and trencher rental will total something like $500 for 120 ft so your $2,300 quote has $1,800 labor and profit! If soil is rock hard and full of rocks, I could possibly see $2,000 but it's your money. I'd hope you could get 120 ft done with 1" IPS yellow plastic buried NG pipe for $1,500 or under, including proper risers at each end w/ shutoffs, tracer wire, and black pipe connections above ground.

shadowpuck · Dec 2, 2012

i was completely baffled by the first bid i received. it's about a 50 foot run from the meter to the building, and nearly a straight shot - likely only one bend would be necessary.

the ground is easy to dig up, we had no trouble digging for the building or when we did the trench for the water/fiber/satellite/etc...

i've made a few more calls so hopefully we'll get some more bids...

68rustang · Dec 3, 2012

CNGsaves said:
I'd hope you could get 120 ft done with 1" IPS yellow plastic buried NG pipe for $1,500 or under, including proper risers at each end w/ shutoffs, tracer wire, and black pipe connections above ground.

I thought so too. I am still waiting on one more quote.

*EDIT: Finally someone with some sense. Third guy quoted $1450.

JasonF · Jan 7, 2013

regancc said:
If you are not opposed to using flexible gas line, Menard's has a 75 ft roll for $169.99...

I don't know if this is something you can bury or not...

http://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...ing/3-4-x-75-csst-tubing/p-1405745-c-9529.htm

I am planning a run from my basement, into my garage, up into the rafters and over to the outside end wall where I will install my hanging gas heater...about a 50' run. My plumber said he would charge me $300 for the entire job...I'm gonna jump on that!

Good luck...let us know what you end up doing.

Chip

What would the difference be in running this our straight plastic underground?

shadowpuck · Jan 7, 2013

thought i would update this.

we've made numerous calls to various plumbers in the area. finally got a second plumber to come out and bid the project. then, took a month to actually get the bid - we had to keep calling - second bid was $1800. while $1000 less than the first bid, that still seems ludicrous for such a simple task.

we've considered doing the bulk of the labor ourselves, but with the building done and only waiting on heat for use - we may go another route....

i'm looking into these units now:
http://radiantsystemsinc.com/

at the rate of the bids i've received, it'll take a long time to pay for the gas line...

CNGsaves · Jan 7, 2013

If I were you Shadowpuck, I'd try a sprinkler system installer and see what they'd charge to trench it. That plumber's quote of $1800 for easy 50 ft bury sounds high, unless soil condition is bad or lots of obstacles. Sprinkler system guy might be "hungry" for money/work this time of year. Just need to buy the proper 3/4" or 1" yellow polyethlene plastic pipe that is for NG.

Make sure you put in a Tracer Wire (yellow in color) before you close everything up. Give a call to Joe at Groebner & Assoc in Shawnee, KS and he'll give you wholesale prices on risers, shutoffs, tracer wire, stablock connectors, yellow plastic pipe (it's 55 cents a foot). You could do almost all the connections and just get plumber for final connect and pressure test. Good luck but do it right with yellow plastic pipe for NG.

coljar · Jan 8, 2013

Parts and labor, I had about $1100.00. They had to connect on to the existing gas pipe in the middle of the basement at the furnace and run 1" black pipe through the basement and out the wall to the riser. From the riser they dug 50' to the riser coming up in the garage, then 20 more feet of 1"black pipe to where the furnace will be. There's always a guy that works for the gas company that does jobs on the side.

natural gas line - cost to install

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