New Gas Supply Connection Problem

Danfuss

Hi,
This is an odd situation and I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem.

Builder applies to the gas utility for a quote to lay on a new supply to a house. Quote is provided complete with appropriate plan showing the route of supply. As is normal, quote has to be and is accepted and paid for before work begins. Utility contractor begins work then stops - there is no gas main, owned by the utility, in the location shown to which a connection can be made for the new supply. Instead it is many metres away.

Utility wants to cancel the contract and refund the money. Builder has already incurred costs in preparing the site for the new supply and the internal refurbishment has been designed for gas, based on the utility's undertaking to make the supply available.

Has anyone else come across this? Surely it's reasonable to expect the utility to know where their underground pipes are - if only for emergency purposes?

Thanks for reading - information about similar experiences would be welcome.

Gman0365

The utility company is probably within their rights to cancel the contract and refund the payment.

However, they should be making a connection to the nearest main at the original cost quoted as it is not your fault that their plans are incorrect.

Write to the company and title it as a complaint. Hopefully someone at a more senior level will find in your favour.

spiro

Check the wording of the quote, if there is nothing in there about it not being valid in the event of 'xxxxx' then the quote still stands, their c*ck up, their problem.

Danfuss

Thank you Gman and Spiro for your replies.

There is nothing in the quote to limit liability in the event that their site plan showing their underground main proves to be inaccurate. As you say, Spiro, it looks like someone has made a pretty basic mistake - and not one the home owner or builder could know about? We will press on and hope that the utility company will provide the supply.

Thanks again.