EXPERT ADVICE
Self-build for beginners
PART 11 BRINGING SERVICES TO SITE
Make sure your new home is fully connected to all the essential services with this handy guide on who to contact and how to get them in place
WORDS: MARK STEVENSON
When planning what service connections you will need, consider whether you will be including renewable technologies, too.
IMAGE: SIMON BURT
Talk to anyone who’s built ahome and they’ll probably have afew scare stories relating to the connection of the mains services. From a professional point of view, dealing with the service providers (network operators) is frustrating as you have little control, and it’s highly likely to go wrong. If you’re embarking on your first build, don’t worry, this article explains what you need to do to deal with the mains services and get them connected on time.
WHAT ARE THE MAINS SERVICES?
When we say ‘mains services’ we are referring to the key services that enable ahouse to function. These are the foul and surface water drainage, mains water and electricity and could include the gas service, depending upon the renewable technologies you intend to install. Since October 2022, Approved Document R of the Building Regs required the installation of electronic communications —so if you didn’t know it before, broadband is now an essential service. Of all the contractors you’ll have to deal with, the network operators are the trickiest and to varying degrees, alaw unto themselves. They have endless rules and regulations and can be inflexible with long lead times. You’ll therefore need arock-solid plan and acast-iron constitution to ensure your build gets connected on time.
With the emergence of new technologies, it’s possible to live off-grid, therefore not all mains’ services are essential. However, while not having to incur expensive energy bills sounds idyllic, renewable technologies are expensive and not all plots will be able to accommodate the technical requirements. My advice is to do your research before adopting these greener alternatives.