New Construction in San Marino, Measured Against the Wires
Before pricing a new San Marino house, we measure any overhead power lines near the lot, since their clearance sets where an upper floor and a crane can go.
Where power reaches a cleared San Marino lot through overhead lines, their height and position are the first thing we measure. A laser reading from the ground gives the height of each wire at the property line and over the planned footprint. Those readings decide how close an upper floor can come, where a crane or boom truck can set up, and whether the service drop to the new house has to move before framing starts.
Reading the lines
We note which wires are the utility's distribution lines on the poles and which is the service drop that fed the old house, since the clearance rules for each differ. Distribution lines need far more room around them, and a roof, deck or scaffold may not come within that distance. We also record the position of each pole close to the lot and whether a guy wire crosses the lot. The power company is asked early whether the drop can be raised, rerouted or moved underground, and what it needs from us to do so.
How the readings shape the plan
An upper floor or a tall roof near a line may need to step back, or the utility may need to relocate or cover a wire before framing reaches that height. Cranes and concrete pumps have to stay outside a set distance from energized lines, so their position on delivery days is planned now. Moving the service underground means a trench, a conduit and a new meter location, all fitted to the utility's own calendar. Each item goes on the quote as a separate line, and the building department sees the final service layout with the electrical plans.
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We begin with the boundary and topographic survey, soil borings and the parcel zoning limits. Utility bills or old plans showing where power, gas and water entered the lot help too, since the new house connects to each one and an overhead drop may need to move.
The first stage covers survey, soils, design, engineering and permit fees. Utility work, including any change to the overhead lines, is priced next with the site work, and the house itself follows from the approved drawings, foundation to finishes. Each block is written out before it starts.
We hold one calendar for everyone. The surveyor plots the lines, wires and poles, the soils engineer follows, and the designer and structural engineer draw from both. Requests to the power company run through our office too, so the utility's dates sit beside the consultants' dates.
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Tell us about the property and what you have in mind. We reply with a written next step.