We look forward to serving you!

To establish service to a location not currently served by the Cooperative, there are several steps you must complete for our crews to begin construction at your site.  The sooner we receive all necessary documents and fees; the sooner you can expect to have your service scheduled for installation.

1. Contact Member Services at 936-229-4000, option 3 to submit a request for new service.

Representatives are available to take your request Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.  At this initial call, a DETEC Member Service Representative will ask you a series of questions to determine what will be required of your job and review the next steps with you.  For new members, DETEC will need your driver’s license and social security number to verify identity and determine credit status for deposit needs.

2. Submit $100 Staking Fee and schedule appointment with Staking Tech  if applicable

Should your job require a Staking Tech to visit the site, a Staking Fee of $100 will be collected.  At the site visit, the Staking Tech will determine construction needs and if documentation such as easements and indemnity agreements and/or right-of-way clearing will be needed.  Should you complete the staked job within 3 months, the Staking Fee will be credited to the cost of the job.  If not completed within 3 months, the fee is nonrefundable.  Typically, new connections within 50 ft of an existing DETEC pole will not require staking. 

3. Staking Tech Visit

In order for the Staking Tech to complete an accurate needs assessment.  Please have visibly marked:

  •  The area where the home, building, etc. will be if it is not on-site already.  Corners may be marked with posts, ribbons, spray paint, etc.

  •  Where the meter loop will be set. Members may set their own meter loop or purchase an installed meter loop from the cooperative. Please review DETEC Meter Loop Spec requirements.  Meter loops not installed according to specs, will not be connected.  Meter loops purchased from the cooperative will be member owned after installation.

  •  Any area that you plan to add a storage room, pool, etc. in the future so that the Staking Tech will not place any structures there. 

  • Any known sewer, water, gas, telephone or other underground facilities.

*Any changes made after the staking appointment that effectively change routing and/or service location must be brought to the attention of DETEC immediately.  Disturbing or moving stakes could require rescheduling of DETEC crews, resulting in additional costs and a delay in your scheduling plans.

4. Receive Cost Estimate and Pay and Return Documents Required – typically within 1 week of Staking Tech appointment

After the Staking Tech visits your site, they will prepare your Construction Packet.  The Engineering Department will then contact you to communicate the costs associated including materials, labor and right-of-way work if needed, along with any documentation required such as easements and indemnity agreements.  Please let the Member Service Representative know of your preferred method of contact.

Right-of-way Clearing may be included in the cost of construction or the member may clear the right-of-way themselves.  Member cleared right-of-way must be free and clear of all stumps and other debris that my limit access or construction efforts the entire length of the right-of-way. 

  • Return Required Documents and Pay Fees

    • Easement(s): This is a legal document signed by all applicable property owners giving DETEC permission to construct and maintain permanent company facilities on the property. 

    • Indemnity Agreement: This agreement releases DETEC from any liability for damages that may occur to underground facilities while DETEC crews are working on your property.

    • Fees:

      • $10 membership fee if applicable

      • $35 connect fee

      • Deposit if applicable

        • House or Mobile Home and Businesses: $200

        • Water Well, RV/Travel Trailer, Shop, Barn, Camp, etc.: $60

        • Deposits may be waived if the member has good credit history with the cooperative, receives approval from our credit check system or provides an acceptable Letter of Credit or Letter of Guarantee.

      • Actual Cost of Construction – material, labor, right-of-way work and/or meter loop

As a non-profit electricity provider, DETEC charges actual cost of construction. Members requesting service to a permanent residence, churches and schools will receive a $1,500 credit towards the cost of construction, provided a foundation is on-site with two other utilities such as water and sewer.  If the foundation and two utilities are not present, the member will not receive an upfront $1,500 credit.  Provided the member has a foundation and two utilities installed and notifies the cooperative within six (6) months from the time that service was completed, the $1,500 credit will be refunded to the member.  It is the responsibility of the member, to notify the cooperative of such install.  Should costs remain unpaid for 6 months or more, estimates will become void and a new staking appointment will be required.  Construction will not begin until fees have been paid.  Please contact the cooperative to discuss payment arrangements if needed.

5.  Job is Sent to Construction to Complete

After all required documents and fees have been received, the job is then released from the Engineering Department to the Construction Department.  The completion of your electric service is important to us and we make every effort to complete the job as quickly as possible.  Construction schedules may vary depending on the size and scope of work.  Other factors such as inclement weather, emergencies or outages also affect construction scheduling. If DETEC or our contractor needs to perform digging, we will contact Texas811 to mark the existing public underground utility lines (electric, gas, cable TV, telephone).  Texas811 requires two (2) full working days’ notice.  Digging may then begin if all underground facilities have been property marked.

Should you have questions throughout the process, feel free to contact DETEC at 936-229-4000, option 3.  Representatives are available Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM to speak with you.  We look forward to serving you as a member of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative!