ᐅ Coordination of Earthworks for Site Development and Utility Connections

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for advice and support.
Our plot is located in a building gap, and all the utilities still need to be connected (electricity, water, fiber optic), although they run along the property boundary about 2–3 meters (6.5–10 feet) away.
We have applied for the connections with the relevant contractors. However, in theory, for each service, the ground has to be excavated, pipes or cables installed, and then backfilled again.
Do you have any tips on how to coordinate the contractors so that the excavation only needs to be done once, and then all utilities/connections can be installed at the same time?
This could also save money.
Or is that unrealistic?
Thank you all!

Best regards,
NilsHolgersson

Hello,

I work for a company that, among other things, carries out house connections (electricity, gas, water, communication) on behalf of the network operators.

Ideally, we try to combine all utilities.
However, for this to happen, it must be ensured that we have the orders from the network operators.
I think this is where you should start:
Make sure the network operators have your orders and that they are forwarded promptly to the contracting civil engineering company.

They will then contact you, and you can discuss how to proceed together if needed.
At least, this is how it works for us (S-H).

We have installed the utility pipes up to the connection points, and the company that handled the electrical connection also installed the fiber optic conduit and telecommunications lines at the same time.
The water supply was connected by the municipality along with the empty conduits.

This was not an issue for us. More so, we recommended to NetzeBW to connect at the transformer station, rather than, as planned by NetzeBW, at the other end of the property. The contractor also agreed that this made more sense.

You just have to communicate with the companies.
The telecommunications (copper) connection was also done at the same time, following a phone consultation with the provider, and we will submit the official application later.

With our utility providers (at least for water and electricity), there are always two options:
1. The connection point is just beyond the property boundary, and you are responsible for running the lines into the house yourself.
2. The utility company installs the lines all the way into the house.

In the first case, it is fairly easy to hire a company that can install the lines together. They can also install the wastewater pipes at the same time. You can also do this yourself.
In the second case, you have to coordinate with the utility companies. However, each of our providers used a different contractor for this work.
Fiber optic cable is planned to be installed soon, and in that case, installation will be free of charge.

motorradsilke schrieb:

Here, the utility companies (at least water and electricity) always offer two options:
1. The connection point is located just beyond the property boundary, and you are responsible for extending the lines into the house yourself.
2. The utility provider installs the lines inside the house.

In the first case, it’s quite straightforward to hire a company that can install the lines all at once, including the sewage system. You can also do this yourself.
In the second case, you have to coordinate with the utility providers. However, in our experience, each provider used a separate company for this task.
Fiber optic cables are going to be installed here soon, and the installation will be free of charge.

You’re lucky—here, the utility company BLS wanted a flat fee of almost 1000 euros.
We had to prove to them that the conduit had already been laid with the network connection; photos alone were not sufficient.
The flat fee covers both the installation of the conduit and the cable blowing process.
However, the installation service had already been completed and paid for.

For connections requested after January 1, 2022, the fees are even higher: 1500 euros for private customers and 3500 euros for business customers.

These prices are completely excessive and legally questionable.

Patricck schrieb:

You’re lucky; here the utility company wanted a flat fee of almost 1000 euros.
We had to prove to them that the conduit was already laid with the network connection; photos were not enough.
The flat fee covers laying the conduit and blowing in the cable.
The work for laying the conduit had already been done and paid for.

For connections applied for after 1.1.22, the fees are even higher: 1500 euros for private customers and 3500 euros for business customers.

Prices are totally exaggerated and legally questionable.

Are you talking about fiber optic?
Maybe it’s because we already have a regular telephone line here.