Utility Connection Costs

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I know this is a 'piece of string' question, but does any know what the cost could be to connect water & electricity to a site which is next to existing installations/residential?

I am working on figures to create a small container based business hub/desk space, but the site would need connections and I just need a fag packet idea!

 

[NickGrogan]

When you say next to, how far away and whats in between?

Also how much power? single phase/three phase

Where in the country - very roughly - county or region is good enough,

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

It is vacant land at thenend of a residential & commercial row (end of street)

Single/three phase - don't know! The maximum use would be 40 desks of computers, phone chargers and the odd bit of office equipment, during working hours!

Sorry, very early stage, so not dived that deep into it, but thanks for pointing the obvious out!

 

[NickGrogan]

It is vacant land at thenend of a residential & commercial row (end of street)

Single/three phase - don't know! The maximum use would be 40 desks of computers, phone chargers and the odd bit of office equipment, during working hours!

Sorry, very early stage, so not dived that deep into it, but thanks for pointing the obvious out!

I'm going to be awkward again, then helpful.

What's a computer use? Mine tops out at around 250 watts including the screen because it has no graphics card, my colleagues hits 2,500 watts excluding screens and runs 6 32" displays which is probably another 250 watts.

40 of mine is 10kW, which is very small, not much more than domestic.
40 of his are 120kW, which means a half-hourly supply and many more costs. They run at about 80C, so you'd need air conditioning to run 40 of them in a confined space.

You won't have 40 of mine or his, realistically, but you need to determine which one is closer.

Now for the helpful bit

National Grid - Budget estimate

National Grid Electricity Distribution is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid.

connections.nationalgrid.co.uk

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Good point - many of them will be laptops, so a dart in the middle + a bit is where I might go!

They would be spread across 6-8 container units, so heat would not be the issue they would if in one room.

The link is great, but, apparently, post codes in west London are out of their area, so I can use it!

Edit - looks like UK Power Networks

 

[NickGrogan]

New electricity connection

www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk

And no awkward questions

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

£4-6.5k if they dig the trench!!!

 

[NickGrogan]

£4-6.5k if they dig the trench!!!

There you go, job done.

If there are issues with the amount of power available on the substation, then things can get really crazy really fast—like adding a zero to those prices. So if it goes much further, it's worth having a chat with them and getting into specifics before you're tied into anything.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Many thanks.

 

[WaveJumper]

Interesting project, have they actually done a survey on site, going by works I have experienced in the past that could just be the cost of the cable. You mention water do you need to have drainage installed as well.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

No,. just used their calculator, which states service installation and you can choose with or with out a trench dig

Drainage will need to be installed, but ilthe site is in between 2 watered locations (building and toilets) so we may end up taping into their (landlords) services.

 

[DanteMosley]

In my opinion, connecting water and electricity to a site next to existing installations can cost quite a bit, but it really depends on how close you are to the existing connections and what the local companies charge. For electricity, you might be looking at a few thousand dollars to maybe tens of thousands. Water might be a bit cheaper, but it still adds up.
Don't forget you'll also need to pay for any permits and the digging to lay the pipes and cables. If I had to give a rough guess, I'd say set aside maybe £5K to £10K for both water and electricity, but it's really just a ballpark figure. It's best to get some quotes from the local utility companies and contractors to get a clearer idea of what you'll need to spend.

 

[NickGrogan]

In my opinion, connecting water and electricity to a site next to existing installations can cost quite a bit, but it really depends on how close you are to the existing connections and what the local companies charge. For electricity, you might be looking at a few thousand dollars to maybe tens of thousands. Water might be a bit cheaper, but it still adds up.
Don't forget you'll also need to pay for any permits and the digging to lay the pipes and cables. If I had to give a rough guess, I'd say set aside maybe £5K to £10K for both water and electricity, but it's really just a ballpark figure. It's best to get some quotes from the local utility companies and contractors to get a clearer idea of what you'll need to spend.

Dollars?

Only the local network company can do most of the work; the bit you can subcontract, in this case, is digging/filling the trench.

 

[WaveJumper]

I feel @Paul Kelly ICHYB maybe be getting more exercise than he bargained for this extended bank holiday

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Yup. Shovel is at the ready!

Just need to learn how to split live cables at tap into exiting supplies (maybe a lamp post!).

 

[NickGrogan]

Yup. Shovel is at the ready!

Just need to learn how to split live cables at tap into exiting supplies (maybe a lamp post!).

Splitting cables?

Isn't that what shovels are for.

 

[IanSuth]

When you say container do you mean metal iso shipping container ? If so they can get very hot in summer / cold in winter plus suffer from condensation , you may find HVAC electrical needs are more than you think.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Yes, good old fashioned 20' & 40'ers!

With the right ventilation and insulation, temperature extremes and condensation can be managed, but yes, it may need some help - I have added an element for these in my calculations.

 

[IanSuth]

Yes, good old fashioned 20' & 40'ers!

With the right ventilation and insulation, temperature extremes and condensation can be managed, but yes, it may need some help - I have added an element for these in my calculations.

Winter heating costs may be more than you bargain for if they are in a windy place