ᐅ Temporary construction power stolen – extent of liability?

I just came from the construction site and can’t believe my eyes—the neighbor poured his foundation slab right across from us...

He simply connected to our temporary power supply box without permission...

I can’t believe it. What can I charge him for this? Does such a box have a meter? What are the typical fees per kWh? I can’t find any information about this with my energy provider...

Yes, of course you have a meter installed. Either you or your construction company has an electricity supply contract, depending on who arranged the construction power and whose name it is registered under. The initial meter reading is also recorded in this contract.

A few years ago, we paid 30 cents per kW. But you don’t need that much construction power for a concrete slab; just unplug whatever was probably used for the workers’ radio or the portable fridge, and that’s fine.
If you’re already putting something in writing now, you can look forward to a good neighborly relationship.
If you see him sometime, you can ask if there were any problems with the construction power and subtly bring it up.

tomtom79 schrieb:
A few years ago, we paid 30 cents per kWh. But you don't need that much temporary construction power for a foundation slab. Just unplug what is probably used for the workers' radio or the portable fridge, and that’s it.
If you put something in writing now, you can look forward to a good relationship with your neighbor.
You can also ask him discreetly the next time you meet if there have been any problems with the construction power and gently point it out.

Very good advice. I would take it to heart. Maybe you will need the neighbor to help carry the curbstones sometime. That’s worth far more than €50 (or less) worth of “stolen” electricity.

I see it differently... it’s the construction company stealing the electricity, not the neighbor... and I checked: saw, crane (!) and another machine that they locked inside their little shed are connected...

There was someone on our site every day, so you could have easily asked...

But I’m not going to put anything in writing now, of course...

I want to call about this and need to know if it’s 50 euros or 5... according to your estimates, probably 50...

How large is the crane, and is the electricity possibly tapped from a house connection pillar? Utility companies often do this, and it is always before your meter in that case!