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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


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    • CommentAuthorLobbi
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     
    I have just recieved an estimate of £10,200 +vat for an electric supply for a new build.
    The nearest existing supply is 200 metres away. The site is bordering a road.
    Is it possible to be charged this amount? It seems outrageous.
    Before i phone to see if there's a mistake could somone offer an opinion as to whether on not this could be a fair price?
    Yours in shock
    David:sad:
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     
    Sounds horrendous to me -- try the ombudsman or watchdog. They are having a laugh!

    It might work out cheaper to hook it all up yourself and then get fined!
  1.  
    I'd be thinking about going off-grid faced with a bill like that - seriously, you should at least cost this option. You would have the pleasure of sticking two fingers up at these robbers as well.
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     
    Sounds about right to me.

    I have just been quoted £4200 for installing 4 gas supplies - a distance of 3.5 metres.

    To make things worse the installer then sells the infrastructure on to get even more money for it.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     
    No surprise to me. The local water co charge more than £100 a meter for a diversion (which is roughly the same amount of work as laying electric) so if you had said £20K I wouldn't have been too surprised. You might be able to save a bit by digging the trench yourself but don't underestimate the hastle of getting permission to close and work in the road. Remember it will be you who pays if you break a gas main while your are at it.

    By the way...my water co does not give quotes only estimates (Check if your electric co is the same). They will only do the work on an actual cost basis so if the actual cost is double, guess who picks up the bill. In our case the water co subcontracted the work to another company and they were incredibly inefficient. They turned up late and without an excavator, then worked half a day and buggered off. Sometimes six people were onsite with only two actually working. The job actually took three working days but spread over about two weeks of elapsed time. Then the water co took 4 weeks just to switch the water to the new route. When I complained I was told the job had been done within the scheduled 10 weeks so I had no basis on which to complain! Sold my shares in the water company soon after!
    • CommentAuthorhowdytom
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2008
     
    Lobbi,
    are they going under ground ? they did here, but we dug the trench and saved £2000 also they had to fit a new transformer on the pole which upped the cost. I would do as above a get a fixed price if you can.
    Tom
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