When something goes wrong with your power, one of the first questions is, “Who do I call?”
Many homeowners aren’t sure exactly where their responsibility ends and the utility company’s begins. That uncertainty can lead to delays, frustration, and surprise repair costs.
At Integra Electrical, we’ve seen it happen countless times. A homeowner calls their utility company, waits for hours, and then finds out the issue is on their side of the meter, meaning the utility can’t fix it. We’ve helped thousands of Iowa homeowners avoid that confusion by knowing exactly what belongs to them and what belongs to the power company.
Before the end of this article, you’ll know:
- What part of your home is the utility company responsible for
- What part the homeowner is responsible for
- And of course, why it matters
The Utility Company’s Responsibility
Your utility company (MidAmerican, IMU, Alliant, etc.). owns and maintains the equipment that delivers power from the grid to your home’s connection point. In most cases, this includes:
- Power lines from the street to your home and their connection point
- Utility poles and the transformers mounted on them
- The electric meter itself (but not the housing or socket it sits in)
If there’s a problem in any of these areas, such as a downed power line, a damaged pole, or a faulty meter, the utility company is the one to call. They have the equipment, training, and authority to work on their side of the system.
Each utility may have slight variations in what they cover, so it’s worth checking your provider’s website (MidAmerican) or welcome packet for their exact guidelines. But for most Iowa homeowners, these three components are the utility’s responsibility.
The Homeowner’s Responsibility
Everything beyond the utility’s connection point belongs to you as the homeowner. That means you’re responsible for maintaining and repairing the equipment that brings power from the meter into your home. This typically includes:
- The Utility Connection - The point where the utility line connects to your home, which is made up of the following:
- Weather Head or service mast - The point where the utility line connects to your home
- Service drop attachment point – Where the line physically attaches to your house
- Meter Riser or service mast - The point where the utility line connects to your home
- Meter Box - The enclosure that holds the meter
- Main electrical panel – The breaker panel and all wiring inside the home
- DISCLAIMER: Some smaller utility companies, such as IMU in Indianola, do not own the Underground service line, and the homeowner will be responsible.
If any of these parts are damaged or not up to code, the utility company can’t fix them; you’ll need a licensed electrician. This is especially important after storms, when damage to a service mast or meter socket can prevent the utility from reconnecting your power until repairs are made.
By knowing which parts are your responsibility, you can take action right away, avoid delays, and keep your home’s electrical system safe and reliable.
Why It’s Important to Know Electrical Responsibilities
When the power goes out, time matters. If you call the wrong party first, you could spend hours waiting, only to learn they can’t help you. That’s wasted time, and in some cases, extra money for emergency repairs.
Understanding where the utility company’s job ends and yours begins helps you:
- Restore power faster by calling the right professional right away
- Avoid surprise costs from after-hours service calls you didn’t need
- Prevent stress from being passed back and forth between the utility and an electrician
The clearer you are on which side owns what, the quicker you can solve problems and keep your home safe.
Gray Areas, Common Misunderstandings & How to Figure It Out Fast
Even with a clear division of responsibilities, there are situations where it’s not obvious who should handle the repair. Even for us, there have been times we’ve had to double-check who’s responsible. It’s not always crystal clear, and if it’s confusing for professionals, you can bet it’s confusing for homeowners too. Some of the most common points of confusion include:
- Storm damage to the service mast – If wind or ice bends or breaks the mast, it’s the homeowner’s job to repair it before the utility can restore power.
- Meter box issues – The meter belongs to the utility, but the metal or plastic box it sits in is yours.
- Underground service lines – In many cases, the homeowner owns the section from the street or easement to the home.
Figuring out who owns what can feel like a game of “Not It,” except the lights are off and nobody’s laughing. But knowing these gray areas and how to sort them out can help you get the right help faster and avoid extra costs.
Preventing Problems & Next Steps
While you can’t control storms or unexpected equipment failures, you can reduce the chances of costly repairs on your side of the system. A few proactive steps go a long way:
- Schedule regular electrical inspections to spot worn or damaged components before they fail.
- Keep trees and branches clear of service lines to prevent weather-related damage.
- Check the condition of your meter socket and service mast after severe weather.
Small maintenance habits can prevent larger issues, reduce downtime, and keep your home’s electrical system in good working order. If you’re wondering what it might cost to repair or replace the parts you’re responsible for, you can get clear, upfront numbers by checking out our Price Guide.
