Gas contractor wants to dig up my drive

kungfumaster70
kungfumaster70 Posts: 29 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 16 March 2023 at 12:09PM in Energy
Gas contractor Cadent want to dig up my drive way, they first said they only needed to lift up flag stones in my alley way but now want to dig up an expensive drive way without reassuring me on putting it back correctly. I understand they can get warrant to do the work but how am I protected that my drive will not get bad tarmac like the pavement jobs on our road. Also they have cut off my gas on a cold day. No leak has been reported they are just changing the area pipes from metal to plastic. Please help?

Comments

  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,704 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Gas contractor Cadent want to dig up my drive way, they first said they only needed to lift up flag stones in my alley way but now want to dig up an expensive drive way without reassuring me on putting it back correctly. I understand they can get warrant to do the work but how am I protected that my drive will not get bad tarmac like the pavement jobs on our road. Also they have cut off my gas on a cold day. No leak has been reported they are just changing the area pipes from metal to plastic. Please help?
    Did they forewarn you that your supply would be interrupted ?

    They are doing the same job in my street today
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • Mstty
    Mstty Posts: 4,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    What I would do....

    Take a picture of your drive and front of house before the work and after, if not happy send them the pictures detailing the issues and quotes to put it right.
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,011 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 16 March 2023 at 12:58PM
    ... but now want to dig up an expensive drive way without reassuring me on putting it back correctly. I understand they can get warrant to do the work but how am I protected that my drive will not get bad tarmac like the pavement jobs on our road.
    Round here at least, the subcontractor has been doing very neat patching of the tarmac, but it is going to be a patch, they are not going to restore the entire drive to a pristine unblemished surface, nor are they obliged to do so....

  • Yes, they are digging up the road outside my house and other peoples drives, yes they dropped a leaflet through the door yesterday saying they need to disconnect supply. But this morning before they started and cut us off they said they didn't need to dig up the drive?
  • They have also said we are to be cut off until Monday as they can't fix it until then but we're happy to do it today an hour ago?
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,011 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ... But this morning before they started and cut us off they said they didn't need to dig up the drive?
    They will usually try to run the new plastic pipe up to your meter through the existing pipework, but if the bends in the pipe are too tight they then have to resort to digging a trench.
    No way for them to tell if digging will be needed until they try to do the work.

  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,704 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'm a bit confused - are  you on or off supply ; did they dig up your drive ?
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • Patrs of our estate were done recently and in most cases, the contractors seem to have dug a hole in the street where the supply pipe branches off the gas main and a second hole near the meter, then 'moled' the new pipe between the two holes, with no need for a trench. Possibly this technique depends on the type of sub soil?
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