CONNECTION OFFER EXPENSES
Since April 2018, we have charged major works customers a fee for the costs associated with preparing budget estimates, feasibility studies and connection offers, we do this to drive efficiencies in the overall connections process and ensure fairer allocation of costs.
Previously, and irrespective of the complexity or number of applications made, the costs we incurred when producing connection offers were not charged to the individual making the application, they were recovered from customers who accepted the connection offer and progressed with the work. This approach led to significant numbers of connections applications that were produced but did not progress.
When applying for a connection, customers are advised of the requirement to pay Connections Offer Expenses (also known as A&D fees) so that they can then make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with their connection offer. If they choose to go ahead, they will be charged a fee for the design and assessment work we carry out when preparing their offer.
Further information on how, when and why fees are applied can be found in our Connection Offer Expenses Guide.
When applying for a new connection, customers will be advised of the requirement to pay Connection Offer Expenses in advance, so that they can make an informed decision before we start the work preparing the quotation. When we complete our detailed design and assessment work, we will send an invoice for the Connection Offer Expenses we have incurred when preparing that offer. Our guide explains the process and our fees.
We have a range of online tools and resources available that can help you to perform your own upfront assessments and make more informed choices.
For upfront support and advice before making an application, you can book an appointment at one of our monthly connections surgeries here.
Our Connection Offer Expenses reflect the costs of providing connections offers and are in accordance with regulatory requirements and in line with industry levels. We only recover the costs that we have reasonably incurred for providing these services and we do not make a profit on the fees we charge.
We will allocate you with a single point of contact to guide you through the process. They will contact you within five days of receipt of your application to confirm your requirements, explain the step-by-step process and discuss Connection Offer Expenses.
For EHV connections, we will contact you before issuing your quotation to advise you of the Connection Offer Expenses and request payment. We will issue your formal connection offer within five working days of payment being received for the Connection Offer Expenses incurred.
If you cancel your application during the five working day 'cooling off' period, you will not be charged. If you cancel after the cooling off period, you will be charged for the Connection Offer Expenses we have incurred in preparing your offer and we will advise you of the fees in our letter confirming the cancellation. A separate invoice will be issued.
Subsequent requests, where the requirements, technical solution and costs are exactly the same, will incur a charge of 75% of the full fee. Where there are differences in your connections requirements or where the technical proposal or costs have changed, you will be charged the full Connection Offer Expenses.
Customers will be charged Connection Offer Expenses for each new application that they make. Where customers require multiple options for the same site, we will provide a budget estimate for up to three different options. Our guide explains our approach, process and fees.
Our Connection Offer Expenses reflect the reasonable costs we incur when completing the design and assessment work required to produce an offer. If the connection application, technical solution and costs are exactly the same as one we have received and quoted for previously, customers will only be required to pay 75% of the fee.
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