The house is finished and there is no power. It happens more often than it should, and always for the same reason: connections were treated as the last step instead of an early one.
A permanent CFE connection requires the installation to be complete and compliant, with documentation and, above a certain load, its own transformer and the associated infrastructure — which is a project in itself, not a form. Rural or newly subdivided lots may have no nearby line at all, and extending one is the owner's cost, occasionally a large one. Establish availability and load capacity before buying the land, and file early. Construction runs on a temporary supply, which is normal, but a temporary supply is not a substitute for the permanent one.
Where a municipal network exists, connection is straightforward and the house stores in a cistern regardless, because supply is not continuous everywhere. Where it does not, the property relies on a well or delivered water, both of which change the design. Drainage is the other half: in most of this region wastewater is treated on the property with a biodigester or a compact plant rather than infiltrated, and that decision belongs in the project from the first drawings because the authority reviews it.
Most homes use LP gas from a stationary tank on the property, sized to consumption and refilled by a supplier, with underground or surface distribution to the kitchen, heaters and any outdoor kitchen. Natural gas networks exist in parts of the region but are far from universal. Position the tank for delivery access and required clearances at design stage, not once the terrace is finished.
| Service | What it involves | Cost and timeline |
|---|---|---|
| CFE permanent connection | Compliant installation, documentation | 2 – 8 weeks after filing |
| Transformer and infrastructure | Higher loads or distant lines | Per project, can be significant |
| Water connection and cistern | Network connection plus storage | $45,000 – $140,000 MXN |
| Wastewater treatment | Biodigester or compact plant | $25,000 – $600,000 MXN |
| LP gas installation | Tank, distribution, safety | $25,000 – $70,000 MXN |
| Fibre internet | Where available at the address | 1 – 4 weeks |
Fibre is available across most of the developed corridor and is genuinely good where it exists; coverage thins outside it, where fixed wireless or satellite fill the gap. If working remotely is part of the plan, verify the service at the specific address before buying — coverage maps are optimistic, and neighbours give better answers than providers. Run conduit and cabling through the house during construction, including the outdoor areas you will actually use.
Ranges for a residential property in the Riviera Maya. Electricity is the item that most often delays a handover, which is why we file for it while finishes are still in progress rather than afterwards.
Related pages: Water supply and filtration · Wastewater in karst · Electrical installation · Cost to build a house in Mexico
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