Home being built in Florida

My mother is having a home built in Florida by some  builder (artistic
homes) and she told me the strangest thing.  The homes being built where all
sold before they where built, so she put a down payment on it and the price
for the house was set.  But she told me recently that the electricity has
already been run to the house or at least near it, and the contractor is
going to use the electricity to build the house, and she will be getting
utility bills!!!  The house isn't going to be finished until summer of 2004.
Is this right, I've never heard of such a thing, she is paying for the
house, she shouldn't have to pay for services the contractor needs to build
the house.  Has anyone heard of this and is this common practice in Florida?

Thanks.