£550 Grant towards Lead Pipe Replacement with United Utilties

ic

I've just had a new blue pipe installed by a WIAPS certified company, and received a call from United Utilities acknowledging the installation and that they will now move on with arranging its connection in the coming weeks.  Additionally they told me I qualified for their new grant scheme, and will receive a payment of £550 towards the work (it cost £830, using a moling company).  This was out of the blue, I had no idea there was a grant.  I've since received an email confirming this.  I was told it was a new scheme that they'd introduced it since I'd originally applied for approval to be on the lead replacement scheme (which basically provides for free reconnection, but you carry the costs of the pipework on your property) - I can't find any mention of it online, so thought I'd post something here. 

So if you'd been considering replacing a lead pipe, but were put off by the costs - check with your supplier! 

I was not asked to prove costs, I assume if I'd be dug the trench and done the work myself, I'd have been quids-in, as the parts and tools costs came to around £150 - I just simply didn't want to dig my driveway up, and the upheaval of leaving it open for inspection by United Utilities.

ic

Found the T&Cs here: https://www.unitedutilities.com/lead-pipes-terms-conditions

Johnny-Cage

ic said:

I've just had a new blue pipe installed by a WIAPS certified company, and received a call from United Utilities acknowledging the installation and that they will now move on with arranging its connection in the coming weeks.  Additionally they told me I qualified for their new grant scheme, and will receive a payment of £550 towards the work (it cost £830, using a moling company).  This was out of the blue, I had no idea there was a grant.  I've since received an email confirming this.  I was told it was a new scheme that they'd introduced it since I'd originally applied for approval to be on the lead replacement scheme (which basically provides for free reconnection, but you carry the costs of the pipework on your property) - I can't find any mention of it online, so thought I'd post something here. 

So if you'd been considering replacing a lead pipe, but were put off by the costs - check with your supplier! 

I was not asked to prove costs, I assume if I'd be dug the trench and done the work myself, I'd have been quids-in, as the parts and tools costs came to around £150 - I just simply didn't want to dig my driveway up, and the upheaval of leaving it open for inspection by United Utilities.

Just curious how was the moling was it pretty straight forward. I have a blocked paved drive and it’s always put me off getting the supply pipe replaced from lead 

BigBlueSky

I've been looking into this for such a long time now and have always been put off with any costs of the work on my property being my responsibility.

Do you know the length of the piping on your property ? - Ours I would guess is around 20 metres, so wondering if it is likely to be a similar price to yours.

Thanks in advance

Swipe

I had my water supply pipe replaced using a hydrolic mole and if I recall correctly, the cost was £30 per metre plus £150 entrance charge. Albeit that was about 10 years ago.

BigBlueSky

For our property I would be interested in doing the work ourselves - Family members would certainly help to do the work.  Would we still be entitled to the £550 grant ??

ic

BigBlueSky said:

For our property I would be interested in doing the work ourselves - Family members would certainly help to do the work.  Would we still be entitled to the £550 grant ??

Yes you would.