Construction Specification Center

Step 1 Planning Phase The customer should include Huntsville Utilities at this time to obtain the necessary quotes required to establish any type of city or county permits. Project details including preferred service locations; site layout; CAD files; and estimated water, gas and electric loads/consumption must be provided. Engineering Services will help you with this process.
	Step 2 Design Phase The customer will work with engineering services to establish a plan for services. This will include finalizing the size and location of facilities, developing quotes for contribution in Aide to Construction and other fees to be paid to Huntsville Utilities, and defining the responsible party for each step of construction. Water, Gas and Electric facilities will be coordinated but designed by different Huntsville Utilities representatives. Engineering Services will provide the customer with a list of requirements tailored to their project.
Step 3 Construction Phase Once the required forms, documents, easements, and fees are submitted, the project will move into the construction phase. Timing of construction will be determined by work load, materials availability, weather, and the order in which the project was submitted to construction.  In certain cases, the contractor working for the property owner may purchase and/or install facilities to be used for the construction of electric, natural gas, or water facilities. All facilities installed by the contractor must be installed under guidance of a Huntsville Utilities representative, and periodic inspections will be required throughout the installation process. You can find builder specifications below.
	Step 4 Utility Service Phase As soon as the main infrastructure has been installed, inspected, and "turned on," the service may be connected to the building it is intended to serve. The building may not be connected until the appropriate inspection or certificate of occupancy is completed and an account is established with either Residential Accounts or Commercial Accounts.

• Huntsville Utilities must have access to the construction site.
• The Builder/Developer/Owner may be required to install pipe, conduits, vaults, foundations, and other equipment, including spare pipe or conduit, according to Huntsville Utilities' specifications. In this case:
  • A Facilities Inspector will be assigned to your project.
  • Contracts or Agreements may be required between Huntsville Utilities and the installer.
  • The Builder/Developer/Owner is required to contact the Facilities Inspector to schedule a pre-construction job meeting before any construction begins. Please allow several days to schedule this appointment. 
  •  The Builder/Developer/Owner is required to adhere to Huntsville Utilities Water Construction Specifications and/or Electric Facilities Construction Specifications as applicable to the project
  • The Facilities Inspector will perform periodic inspections before the project can move further. 
• Easements or other Agreements may be required to grant Huntsville Utilities access to the facilities for future maintenance and operation. Easements are often included on plats around the perimeter of the property, but additional easements are often required. 
• Some water services require the Builder/Developer/Owner to provide, install, and maintain an approved back-flow prevention device (explained further in the Water Installation Specifications)
• Builder/Developer/Owner may be required to provide, install, and maintain water boosters or regulators. This information may be noted on the plat.
• Builder/Developer/Owner must provide, install, and maintain approved electric meter base(s) and other electric metering equipment. Additional specification forms below.

If you need temporary electric service during construction, please visit Temporary Utility Pole Service 

• Ensure that all of Huntsville Utilities construction specifications have been followed;
• If this is a new service, a service application must be completed along with payment of any application fees and account deposits;
• If this is a service upgrade, the existing deposit on file may need to be increased;
• Larger services require that a contract be executed through our Commercial and Industrial Department; 
• Posting of street address number;
• Acceptance of any inspections required by the local government entity must be completed.