Trenching and Conduit: Running Power to a Driveway or Detached Garage

Why a detached garage or driveway needs a dedicated feeder

A detached garage is its own small electrical system. Whatever you plan to power there, such as lighting, a workshop, a mini-split, or a Level 2 EV charger, needs a circuit or feeder that travels from the house to the outbuilding.

For a light load, one circuit may be enough. For heavier use, electricians often install a feeder to a subpanel in the garage, then branch circuits from there. A subpanel gives you room to add things later without digging a second trench.

Driveway projects are similar. A charger on a pedestal, a gate operator, or landscape and security lighting all need a protected path for wiring across or alongside paved or landscaped areas.

How the trenching and conduit process works

Every property is different, but a typical run follows these steps:

1. Load review. The electrician reviews your main panel capacity and what you want to power. This determines whether the panel can support the new load or needs an upgrade. 2. Route planning. The team picks the shortest practical route that avoids septic lines, irrigation, tree roots, gas lines, and existing utilities. 3. Utility marking. Underground utilities are normally located and marked before any digging happens. Your installer coordinates this as part of the job. 4. Permit. Most jurisdictions require an electrical permit and inspection for new underground feeders. 5. Trenching. The trench is dug to the depth the local code and wiring method require. 6. Conduit and conductors. Conduit is assembled, conductors are pulled through, and the run is connected at both ends. 7. Inspection and backfill. The inspector typically reviews the work before the trench is closed, then the soil is backfilled and the surface restored as agreed.

Conduit options and why they matter

Conduit protects wiring from moisture, shifting soil, and accidental damage. Common choices include:

Conduit also makes future upgrades easier. If the conduit is sized with room to spare, a larger conductor can sometimes be pulled later rather than re-trenching. Your electrician can advise whether that is practical for your situation.

• PVC (rigid nonmetallic) conduit. Popular for underground runs because it resists corrosion and is relatively easy to work with. Individual conductors are pulled through it.
• Rigid metal or IMC conduit. Used where extra mechanical protection is needed, such as where the run emerges from the ground or enters a building.
• Direct-burial cable. In some situations, and where local code permits, cable rated for burial may be used. It often requires deeper burial or other protection than conduit, so many electricians prefer conduit for flexibility and durability.

Burial depth, spacing, and code

Required burial depth depends on the wiring method, the voltage, and whether the run passes beneath a driveway or other traffic area. Local amendments to the National Electrical Code can change requirements, and the inspector in your area has the final say.

This is one reason to use a licensed electrician rather than guessing at depth. They know what your jurisdiction expects, how to handle transitions such as turns, risers, and expansion fittings, and how to document the work for inspection.

Crossing a driveway: trenching versus boring

If the route crosses concrete or asphalt, there are usually three approaches:

The best choice depends on soil conditions, the length of the crossing, and how much surface repair you are willing to accept.

• Open trench through the surface. Cutting and repairing the paving. This is direct but leaves a visible patch.
• Boring or pushing conduit under the driveway. A tool creates a path beneath the surface without cutting it. It can work well in suitable soil but depends on what is underground and how far the crossing is.
• Going around. A longer route over lawn or landscaping can sometimes avoid the paving altogether, at the price of more trenching and wire.

What drives the cost

Costs vary widely, so we do not quote a single number for this type of work. The main factors are:

An in-person walkthrough is the most reliable way to turn these variables into a firm quote.

• Distance. Longer runs mean more trenching, conduit, and wire.
• Wire size and material. Higher amperage loads, such as an EV charger, call for larger conductors, and voltage drop over distance can push the size up further.
• Soil and obstacles. Rock, clay, roots, and buried utilities slow digging. Hand-digging near existing lines adds labor.
• Surface restoration. Lawn, pavers, concrete, and asphalt each have different repair needs.
• Panel capacity. If the main panel cannot support the new load, an upgrade or load-management solution may be part of the scope.
• Subpanel and equipment. A garage subpanel, grounding, and any outlets or chargers add to the total.
• Permits and inspection. Fees and requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Powering an EV charger in a detached garage

Detached garages are one of the most common places for a trenching job to come up with EV charging. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated circuit, and the distance from the house panel influences conductor size and trench scope.

If you are planning a Tesla Wall Connector or Universal Wall Connector, the feeder run is often the largest part of the labor. For the full step-by-step process, see our Tesla installation hub at chargehomesolutions.com/tesla-installation-hub/.

It is also worth planning for more than you need today. Adding a second charger, a workshop, or a battery later is far easier if the conduit and subpanel were sized with growth in mind.

How to prepare for your estimate

A few details help your electrician scope the job accurately:

With that information, a licensed electrician can propose a route, a conduit and wire plan, and a permit path.

• Photos of your main panel, including the label inside the door
• A rough idea of the route and the distance between the house and the garage or driveway location
• Notes on known underground items, such as irrigation, septic, or past utility work
• What you want to power now and what you might add later
• Any HOA or landscaping restrictions

Why work with Charge Home Solutions

Charge Home Solutions is a nationwide, Tesla-certified installation network. Our licensed and insured electricians handle the full scope, from load review and trenching plans to conduit, subpanels, permits, and final connection. We match you with a qualified installer quickly, and the in-home estimate is free, so you can see the route and scope before you commit.

Book your free in-home estimate

Ready to move forward? Charge Home Solutions matches you with a licensed, insured, Tesla-certified electrician in your area, with a free in-home estimate and no obligation.

Request your free estimate at chargehomesolutions.com/request-service or call 888-995-6044.