Hi Everyone! Groundworks begin on our little North Cornwall build!

[N Ward]

Hi there!

 

I've been a fan of all you fabulous people for a while so thought I'd introduce a question about our little family self-build in North Cornwall! It's been 2 years in the planning but this month we broke ground! 2 days into the dig we unexpectantly sprung water! A mains pipe, unknown to any survey or asset register, presented itself just 6 inches deep and slap bang through our site.  

 

Today we recieved our 'offer' (feels like ransom!) from South West Water to divert the pipe by laying 38 meters of new 50mm pipe around our future house. A sweet £16'000! Breaking down as: Admin fee £2K, Connection 10.8K, Design 1.6K and pipelaying £1.6K. Trench digging and backfill to be done by us.

 

I'm hoping there might be some way to reduce the cost?! I've been looking through the 'Charging Arrangement' documents current and past and in different counties. I'm being quoted with it in mind that, 'To minimise any disruption to our existing customers, the connection of the new main to existing main should be connected using line-stops and under pressure tee'. Connections using an under pressure tee only can reduce the cost to ~2K. Worth a shot? Or maybe I've got no chance!

 

I'm wondering... if anyone has any experience of diverting a water main and doesn't mind sharing how much you were charged?  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[ProDave]

Hi and welcome.

 

That's a disappointing start to a build.

 

The discussion usually starts with "Show me the wayleave agreement that says your pipe can be there" 

[Jilly]

OMG you poor things. I can only offer commiserations at the pain of unexpected costs. If you cant avoid it hopefully you can find other ways to save some money.

[Bonner]

Has an engineer been out to have a look? I found it very useful talking to one rather than people in the estimating department. They will always start with a presumption that the customer will pay for anything that needs doing!

[N Ward]

Thanks guys! All really good suggestions that I'll follow up on for sure! 

[SteamyTea]

Welcome.

 

So that accounts for my low water pressure a few days back, and when I returned on Monday my murky water.

 

Out of spite, drill a borehole and get a sewage package plant in. 

Don't pay the company that charges the most in the country a penny.

[N Ward]

Hi Everybody, 

 

A wee update. 16K has become 10K. South West Water have offered a bespoke quote, based on not needing the water supply to be turned off.  

 

So @Bonner you were right.  @SteamyTea I'm saving pennies for that bore hole