Disconnections and diversions
Disconnections and diversions, booked in the right order
Clearing a site for demolition, moving a meter or diverting a main that runs through your plot. We work out which operators are involved, apply to each one in the right order and collect the written confirmations you need.
Disconnection, alteration or diversion: which is it?
The words get used loosely, but operators treat them as different jobs with different forms, prices and lead times. Asking for the right one first saves weeks.
Most projects on an existing site need more than one. A replacement dwelling might need every service permanently disconnected before demolition, then new supplies for the new house. An extension might need an electricity service moved and a water main diverted from under the footprint.
Each utility is handled by a different company. Some of the work can only be done by the network operator itself. Accredited independent providers can do some alterations and disconnections within the scope of their accreditation. We find out who owns what on your site and apply to each one.
Disconnection
The supply is cut off and made safe, usually at the main or the network cable. Needed before demolition, or when a building no longer needs a service.
Alteration
An existing service is changed: a cable or pipe rerouted, a cut-out or meter moved, or a supply upgraded.
Diversion
A main, cable or sewer that crosses your site is moved to a new route so you can build. Usually the most involved of the three.
Disconnecting utilities before demolition, step by step
Every live service has to be permanently disconnected before a building comes down. The order matters, because some operators won't act until another has finished.
A common hold-up is gas. The network company won't quote to disconnect the service until your gas supplier has removed the meter. If you leave the meter removal until late, the demolition date slips.
Never assume a service is dead
An empty building can still have live cables, gas and water. Until you hold written confirmation from each operator that a service has been permanently disconnected, treat it as live.
- 1
Find every service
We check which operators supply the building: electricity, gas, water, sewer, and any phone or broadband lines.
- 2
Meters removed by the suppliers
You ask your energy suppliers to remove the meters. For gas this must happen first, before the network company will quote.
- 3
Disconnections applied for
We apply to each network operator and the water company for a permanent disconnection, with the site plan and your demolition date.
- 4
Quotes accepted and booked
We check each quote, handle acceptance and payment, and book the work around your programme.
- 5
Written confirmation collected
We get written confirmation from each operator that its service is permanently disconnected.
- 6
Into the CDM file
The confirmations go to you and your principal contractor for the health and safety file, and demolition can go ahead.
Who does what, and how long it takes
Each operator has its own process. The timings below are published by individual companies and are indicative only. Others may differ.
| Utility | What happens | Indicative timing |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Your gas supplier removes the meter first. The gas network company then quotes for the service disconnection and confirms when work on site can restart. | Cadent says typically 6 to 8 weeks from payment. |
| Electricity | Your energy supplier removes the meter. The network operator quotes for and carries out the disconnection, alteration or diversion of its cable. | National Grid Electricity Distribution shows about 6 weeks for a domestic underground service alteration. |
| Water and sewer | The water company disconnects the supply. Diversions of mains and sewers are made under Section 185 of the Water Industry Act, at the cost of whoever asks for them. | Bristol Water aims to quote a diversion within 42 days and build it within 90 days. |
| Telecoms | Openreach and any other network with apparatus on site handle their own disconnections and diversions separately. | Quoted case by case. Allow time. |
All timings run from a complete application, an accepted quote and payment, and depend on highway permits and access. We give you a realistic programme once we know the site.
Electricity alterations and meter moves
Electricity alterations are quoted by the local network operator. That covers moving a service cable, moving the cut-out (the sealed main fuse) and the meter to a new position, undergrounding an overhead service, or diverting a cable that runs across a plot.
If only the meter needs to move a short way and the cut-out stays where it is, your energy supplier may be able to do it. If the cut-out or the cable has to move, it is network work and needs the operator.
Diversions of the existing network, such as a cable along the edge of a site or an overhead line across it, are mostly carried out by the network operator itself. Allow for that in the programme, because it can't be handed to whoever is free.
As an indication, National Grid Electricity Distribution's pricing guide shows about £2,600 plus VAT for a domestic underground service alteration. Prices in other areas, and for bigger jobs, will differ.
Common electricity jobs we apply for
- Moving a meter and cut-out for an extension
- Moving a service out of the way of new foundations
- Undergrounding an overhead service to a house
- Diverting a cable or overhead line across a plot
- Permanent disconnection before demolition
- Upgrading to a larger or three-phase supply at the same time
Diverting a water main or sewer under Section 185
If a public water main or sewer runs where you want to build, you can ask the water company to move it. Section 185 of the Water Industry Act 1991 puts a duty on the company to do so, at the cost of the person asking.
Find what is there
We get the water company's records for the site. Not every private drain or older sewer is mapped, so your surveyor's findings matter too.
Apply with a proposed route
The water company designs or approves the new route and quotes for it. You pay for the diversion, including design and any new pipe.
Or build over it
For a smaller sewer, a build-over agreement may be possible instead of a diversion. Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer usually needs one.
Diversions take longer than most people expect. As one example, Bristol Water aims to quote within 42 days and build within 90 days. Other companies work to their own timescales, so we apply as early as the design allows.
Sewer connections and build-oversPhone lines, broadband and telecoms apparatus
Openreach handles disconnections and diversions of its own network separately from the energy and water companies. Other broadband and cable networks may also have apparatus on or next to your site, such as ducts, cabinets or poles.
We identify which networks are present, ask each one to disconnect or move its apparatus, and add the dates to the programme. If the site will need new fibre after the build, we line that up at the same time.
Fibre for the new buildingInformation for a disconnection or diversion
- Site address and a location plan
- Plans showing what is being demolished, built or moved
- Meter and supply details from recent bills, if you have them
- Any utility records or survey drawings for the site
- Your demolition or start date
- Whether new supplies will be needed afterwards
Our fee is fixed and agreed before we start, and the quote is free.
Disconnection and diversion questions
How do I disconnect utilities before demolition?
Ask your energy suppliers to remove the meters, then ask each network operator and the water company for a permanent disconnection. Keep written confirmation of each one. We handle the applications and collect the confirmations for you.
Why does the gas meter have to be removed first?
The gas network company won't quote to disconnect the service until the gas supplier has removed the meter. Cadent, for example, then typically needs 6 to 8 weeks from payment to disconnect.
What paperwork do I need before demolition starts?
Written confirmation from each operator that its service has been permanently disconnected. It should be kept in the CDM health and safety file and given to your principal contractor.
Can a meter be moved without the network operator?
Sometimes. If only the meter moves a short way and the cut-out stays put, your energy supplier may be able to do it. If the cut-out or service cable has to move, the network operator has to do the work.
Who pays for diverting a water main or sewer?
The person who asks for it. Under Section 185 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the water company has a duty to move its pipes or sewers when asked, at the requester's cost.
How long does a diversion take?
It depends on the operator and the job. Bristol Water, for example, aims to quote a diversion within 42 days and build it within 90 days. Electricity diversions of the existing network are carried out by the operator to its own programme.
Can an independent provider do the work instead?
For some jobs, yes. Accredited independent providers can carry out some alterations and disconnections within their accreditation scope. Diversions of existing networks are mostly done by the network operator itself.
Do you do the disconnection work yourselves?
No. We prepare and manage the applications. The work is done by the network operators, the water company or accredited providers.
Clearing a site or moving a service?
Tell us what is on site and what needs to change. We'll confirm the operators involved, the order of work and a clear quote for managing it.