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How to apply for residential development pre-service

Add electrical and/or natural gas pre-service for year-round or seasonal residential lots. This service application is for residential development of 2 or more lots.

Before you apply for residential development pre-service, read the Guidelines for Residential Developers & Homebuilders (revised Dec. 2022) (PDF, 1.2 MB).

Read all the steps before you start the application

The steps list your responsibilities and possible timelines.

We cannot process your request without all required information and documents.

Step 1

Online application

This step may take: 3–5 business days to process your completed application.


Gather all required information and supporting documents before you start the online application.

You must include all of the following:

  • legal business name and contact information;
  • development name, community planning number, and location;
  • number of lots to be pre-serviced (minimum 2 units);
  • electric and/or natural gas requirements;
  • proposed in-service date;
  • map of the lots to be pre-serviced;
  • site plan.

You must contact Bell MTS and the cable company directly to arrange for pre-servicing your development. If possible, we will coordinate with them to have all utilities installed in one trench.

Step 2

Estimate and agreements

This step may take: 20–60 days after we have received your completed application.


We will provide an estimate and service agreements for your project. If your application was incomplete in any way, there will be a delay in providing your estimates, and electrical and/or natural gas agreements.

The planning and design of your pre-serviced development starts after we have:

  • all the documents;
  • details;
  • signed agreements;
  • payments for your project.

Step 3

Planning and design

This step may take: 90–160 days depending on the scope of the work and any changes you request.


After we receive your signed agreements and payments, we will meet you on-site to review your project.

During this step, we will:

  • discuss the project completion date;
  • create a detailed design for your project;
  • request easement agreements;
  • order materials for construction.

You will sign off on any required drawings and agreements.

Step 4

Easements and approvals

This step may take: 60–120 days to request and sign off on easement agreements, depending on external approvals (agencies other than Manitoba Hydro).


Before any construction can be scheduled:

  • we will request any easement agreements;
  • you will sign off on the easement agreements and any required drawings.

As easements are registered and approved by other entities, we are not responsible for any delays.

Step 5

Site preparation and construction

This step may take: 30–160 days depending on scope of work and site condition.


After the design plan is complete and any easements have been registered, we will inspect your site for readiness and contact Click Before You Dig MB and other utilities before we begin construction.

The site must:

  • have a final grade of ± 6″;
  • have all trees, equipment, and garbage removed from construction area.

Step 6

Pre-servicing completed


Your pre-serviced development is ready for the builder/homeowner to request services to the residence. Each builder/homeowner will be required to submit a residential service application to obtain services.

Apply for pre-service

After you apply

Once you have submitted a complete application, we will assign someone to your project. They will contact you for any missing information, discuss project scope, service dates, and arrange on-site meetings.

They may request your complete AutoCAD files (.DWG), which include a site plan, subdivision lot lines, roadways, building layout, parking layout, sewer and water details, and grading.

If you do not have an established account history, a security deposit may be required.

Help with your application for service

For help with your application, contact us: