Outbuildings
An outbuilding is a stand-alone structure which is located on residential property and is not a living space. Typical outbuildings are:
- Barns
- Pump houses
- Garages
- Shops
- Storage sheds
- Etc.
If you wish to install a separate service to your outbuilding or set the service on your outbuilding and feed power to your home from there, you are required to follow all the steps in this handbook for residential service. Outbuildings do not qualify for the new residential service allowance and will be billed monthly at a general service rate class.
However, if the outbuilding will be used for commercial or multifamily purposes, (e.g. a professional shop, dairy barn, multifamily/community well), you will have additional requirements, including manual bypass provisions. If this is the case, please refer to the FEC Non-Residential Electric Service Handbook. Commercial outbuildings do not qualify for the new residential service allowance and will be billed monthly at a general service rate class.
Lien Waiver / Release
If your new construction is being financed by a lender, they may require a lien waiver to be completed by FEC.
FEC will complete the lien waiver and send it to the lender directly, once the following has occurred:
- Full payment of the estimated construction costs has been received by FEC.
- A period of up to 5 days has lapsed to ensure the payment is not returned by FEC’s bank.
- Member has provided the lien waiver and the correct information for the recipient.
FEC will only complete lien waivers for construction costs. Lien waivers will not be completed for electric usage billings.
Spring Road Restrictions
Each spring in Flathead County, road restrictions impact construction projects. As frost melts and material under pavement becomes spongy, roads are at risk of being damaged by heavy equipment. These restrictions prevent Flathead Electric Cooperative’s heavy equipment, required for the installation of new electrical equipment, from traveling on county roads.
- Typically, the restriction window is between March 1 and April 15, however year-to-year fluctuations in weather can lengthen the restriction window.
- It should be noted that these restrictions never prevent the Co-op from responding to emergencies, including power outages.
Overweight Permits
- For non-emergency situations, Flathead County issues Overweight Permits to those unable or unwilling to wait for road restrictions to be lifted.
- If a Co-op member requests a new service or has a project that requires the Co-op’s heavy equipment while road restrictions are in place, the Co-op must obtain an Overweight Permit on behalf of the member.
- The requesting member must pay the Co-op for the permit before work can begin. If the member does not pay for the permit, they must wait for the restrictions to lift before work can proceed.
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