Contractor uses neighbor's power supply to build deck, customer gets annoyed when neighbor asks them to pay extra $35 on their electric bill: ' This outlet is not available for use'

Another person's utilities are not for public use.

Many homeowners pay good money to keep the water running and the lights on. Not only do they not want to have to pay for the usage of others, there is every chance that they can't afford to. Electricity rates rose 5% on average year on year in 2026, and for some people, that extra cost can be the difference between keeping their finances under control and having to cut back on other outgoings to pay on time.

Even for those who don't have a problem paying their bills, most will object on principle to somebody coming along and taking the utilities that are only supposed to be used by the inhabitants of their property. It is a form of theft to go behind someone's back and take their power, even if it is an outdoor outlet that is easily accessible. You (hopefully) wouldn't go and steal their backyard furniture or their lawnmower just because it was outside, so why should you be entitled to their electricity? 

If a person makes the choice to let a neighbor use some of their power, that is a different thing altogether, but sneaking behind their back and taking it is bound to cause issues when it gets found out. It is only fair that there is some kind of consequence for it, as it can be a significant expense. Nobody should be paying a premium because somebody else thinks that it is OK to steal.