How long does a new utility connection take?

Updated November 2026

The stages every connection goes through

Whatever the utility, the timeline has the same building blocks. Each one adds time, and the clock usually only starts when the application is complete.

1. Application. You (or we) send the forms, plans and load figures.
2. Quotation. The operator designs the connection and sends a formal offer.
3. Acceptance and payment. You accept and pay. Most operators' works lead times run from this point, not from the application.
4. Works. Mains, cables and service pipes are laid, which often needs highway permits.
5. Connection and meter. The supply is connected and, for electricity and gas, a meter is fitted by your chosen supplier.

So a "lead time" quoted on its own rarely tells the whole story. Add the quote time, your own time to accept and pay, and the works time.

Published lead times by utility

These figures are what individual operators publish. They are indicative. Each operator sets its own timings, and complex sites take longer. We name the operator for every figure, because none of them is a national average.

NGED times are from its connections pricing guide, read in November 2026, and run from acceptance and payment. Bristol Water figures are calendar days and follow Water UK's levels of service. Other operators publish different figures.

Electricity: how long do quotes and works take?

All DNOs work to national guaranteed standards for how quickly they quote once your application is complete. If they miss them, they owe you a payment, which Ofgem updates each year.

• Budget estimate: 10 working days below 1 MVA, or 20 working days at 1 MVA and above.
• Single low-voltage service, or a service alteration: 5 working days.
• Low-voltage small project (1 to 4 premises): 15 working days.
• Other low-voltage demand: 25 working days.
• High voltage: 35 working days. Extra high voltage: 65 working days.

The works time is where the range opens up. NGED's guide shows 8 weeks for one to four homes, but 20 weeks or more for high-voltage business connections. Anything needing a new substation, reinforcement, wayleaves over third-party land or a long road dig will take longer than these figures.

Large schemes have an extra step. Since 1 June 2026, every DNO needs minimum information for demand applications of 5 MVA and above, including a project timeline with real milestone dates. "ASAP" or "TBC" is not accepted, and large housing sites can fall into this group.

Gas: quotes are quick, works take weeks

Gas quotes are among the fastest. SGN's guaranteed standards give 4 working days for a standard quote up to 275 kWh/h, 11 working days for a non-standard one, and 21 working days above 275 kWh/h. Start and finish dates are offered within 17 days of acceptance, or 20 days for the larger loads.

Cadent says works typically take 6 to 8 weeks from payment, subject to survey and highway permits, and its quotes must be accepted and paid within 90 days. No gas network publishes typical times for large housing sites. Those are quoted case by case.

Also check whether you need gas at all. In England, homes built to the Future Homes Standard won't need a gas connection for heating. Read our Future Homes Standard guide.

Water and sewer: often the longest chain

A single water service can be fairly quick. Bristol Water's targets are a quote within 28 days and the connection within 21 days once the pipe inspection has passed and you've paid. In busy areas, permits can slow it down: Thames Water says planning a service connection date can take up to three months.

New mains are where time builds up. Using Bristol Water's targets, a main takes up to 28 or 42 days to design and quote, up to 90 days to build, and at least 15 days of testing before homes can connect. That is roughly four to five months before the first service connection, plus your own time to accept and pay.

For drainage, a Section 106 sewer connection, a Section 104 adoption agreement or a build-over agreement each has its own approval process. Timings vary by water company. If you're building over or near a public sewer, get consent before your full plans application to avoid holding up Building Control.

A pre-development enquiry about network capacity is not a legal requirement, but large water companies encourage it. Thames Water, for example, charges a fee and replies within about 3 weeks. Water UK publishes each company's performance against its service levels every quarter on its developer services dashboard.

Fibre: register the site early

Network operators don't publish a single lead time for new sites in the sources we checked. What matters is registering the site early, so ducting can go in with the other services rather than being dug in later. Openreach takes registrations through its developer portal and needs the site location, plans and plot numbers. In England, Part R of the Building Regulations requires gigabit-ready infrastructure in new homes, so the plan also needs to be ready for your Building Control application.

When should you apply?

• Before planning: ask for budget estimates and capacity checks if a large load or a new main could affect whether the scheme works.
• Once you have planning permission and a layout: submit formal applications. Cadent, for example, asks for approved planning permission before quoting gas.
• When you can accept within the validity period: many offers are valid for about 90 days, so time applications so you are ready to accept and pay.
• At least six months before you need supplies on a small site, and much earlier where new mains, substations or high-voltage work are involved. This is our planning rule of thumb, based on the published figures above.

What causes most delays?

• Incomplete applications. Missing plans or load figures mean the application is sent back and the clock restarts.
• Late applications. A common problem. Utilities are often booked last and needed first.
• Highway permits and traffic management. Works in the road need permits from the highway authority.
• Wayleaves and easements. Crossing someone else's land needs their written consent.
• Substations and reinforcement. These add design time and works time.
• Groundwork not ready. If your trenches, ducts or meter boxes aren't ready on the day, the visit is rebooked.

We plan applications around your build programme and chase each operator, so the slowest item is spotted early. See how we work or use our application checklist to get your information ready.