Utility Connections for Custom Home Lots in Houston

Water and Sewer Service

In the City of Houston, water and sewer service is provided by Houston Public Works. New service connections require a tap application, payment of connection fees, and inspection by city crews before water can be activated. Connection fees in Houston run $3,000–$12,000 for water and $3,000–$10,000 for sewer, depending on meter size and service class.

In unincorporated Harris County and suburban municipalities, water and sewer may be provided by a Municipal Utility District (MUD). MUDs have their own connection fee schedules, which vary widely — from $1,500 to $8,000 for each service. Connection fee schedules are published by each MUD and should be verified before purchasing a lot.

Allow 4–8 weeks from application to active connection in the City of Houston. MUDs in the suburbs are typically faster at 2–4 weeks. New construction on lots without existing taps (greenfield suburban lots, inner Loop infill on a previously unconnected parcel) requires coordination with the utility district and possibly a public works permit for work in the street right-of-way.

Natural Gas Service

CenterPoint Energy provides natural gas service throughout most of the Houston metro. New gas service for custom home construction requires a New Service Application through CenterPoint, which includes a meter sizing request based on the BTU load of all gas appliances (furnace, water heater, range, fireplace, generator, outdoor grill).

CenterPoint's standard new service lead time is 6–10 weeks from application to meter set. During periods of high new construction activity (spring and fall in Houston), lead times can extend to 12–16 weeks. Submit the gas service application as soon as the house plans and appliance schedule are finalized — this is a frequent schedule bottleneck on Houston custom home projects.

If the lot is more than 300 feet from the nearest gas main, CenterPoint may require a main extension — either at the owner's cost or free depending on the number of meters the extension will serve. Get a written estimate from CenterPoint before finalizing the site plan.

Electric Service

CenterPoint Energy also provides electric distribution service in Houston (not the retail provider — the infrastructure and meter). New construction electric service requires a point-of-delivery (POD) application that establishes the meter location and service size.

For large custom homes with high electric loads (EV chargers, backup generators, large HVAC systems, home theaters), specify a 400-amp service from the start. Upgrading from 200 to 400 amp after the house is framed requires a new service entrance and panel, which is expensive and time-consuming.

CenterPoint's new construction electric service lead time runs 4–8 weeks from meter set request. Temporary power for construction (a separate temporary pole and meter) is typically set in 2–3 weeks and is required from the start of framing to run tools, temporary lighting, and HVAC equipment for testing.

Coordination and Timing

The utility connection sequence matters: water service is needed before the slab inspection (for testing under-slab plumbing), gas is needed for HVAC testing and commissioning, and electric service is needed before final inspection.

On a tight build schedule, utility delays are one of the most common causes of the last 2–4 weeks of schedule overrun. Submit all utility applications simultaneously, as early in preconstruction as possible. Ideally, submit water, sewer, gas, and electric applications at permit submittal — not at the start of construction.