New UK Power Supply - Unbelievable quote

[Thirst]

I've been looking in to upgrading the mains supply to a large house that has since been split into 4 flats and add a new ryefield board etc.

UK Power have confirmed we have a cable right outside in the footpath that can be used no problem. UK Power have also confirmed that we will have to dig our own trench and lay 7m of duct on our side in a straight line to the meter cabinet (aka the majority of the heavy work). It's a very straightforward job for them. Make the new connection, pull cable through a straight line duct, connect to new head on wall. I was expecting something in the range of £5k for the entire job. Nope. £12,354.

Here are the options they've given me:

For £2312 UKPN will:
1 x Pot–end
A & D Charges

For £3576 UKPN will:
1 x LV branch Joint
1 x Pot–end
A & D Charges

For £12,354 UKPN will:

• Install 1 x 200amp BNO service into a common position with access to all tenants 24/7
• Disconnect the existing service
• 2 x LV joint holes in the footpath
• Excavate, Lay & Reinstatement 1m of single way duct from the Point of Connection to the customer’s boundary to meet customer duct.
• 1 x LV branch Joint
• 1 x Pot–end
• Cable Pull
• Supply Cable, Duct & tile Tape
• Reinstatement of LA land
• A & D Charges

So if you take the second and third option the difference is:
Install head, disconnect existing service, dig hole in footpath and fill, pull the cable, supply duct, cable and tape, design (what is there to design)? = £8778

How can UK Power justify such a huge cost?! I know I have a 'right to choose' but I've emailed every company on their approved list and nobody wants to know as it's just one very simple connection. Most have said they only work on residential if its more than 10 connections. As a result I don't really have a 'right to choose'.

Any suggestions? I'm on the verge of just leaving the existing supply and hoping nothing goes bang anytime soon.

 

[thegruf]

None of them want to know unless I'm installing a wind farm or plan on building 100 houses in the back garden. This is the issue.

same here - 200KVA supply; cable in the path same side of road, that'll be £15K.
We tried a few IDNOs - none interested basically as job too small.
Nowhere else to turn, and per other thread can't even get a flippin' meter installed. Mad, just mad.

and ...
our business rates have doubled.
corporation tax has increased by 30%
dealing with EU now a pita, several of our key suppliers have pulled out of UK to EU, so we are paying costly shipping charges from EU plus bureaucracy.

Nice to see government is supporting small businesses.

no bloody staff to recruit either, all gone back to EU, or can't be bothered to work after covid, but we can pay extortionate fees to agencies for useless muppets.

Going to need that (mythical) bonfire of red tape to keep warm at this rate.

That's it for the week - I'm off for a beer.
(actually even that's bs - I have to work tomorrow)
happy days + apologies for the whinging
</rant>