As part of the construction of a new house, it is essential to provide the necessary connections. The house must indeed be connected to the drinking water network, to electricity, to the telephone, and sometimes to gas and to the mains drainage system or, failing that, to be equipped with a device for individual sanitation. The land on which the house is built must also be accessible for the construction site and for residential use. Let’s take a look at these different connections.
When and how to take steps to develop your land?
When you buy unserviced land to build your new house, it is necessary to take steps to make it serviceable. This is an essential step before even embarking on the construction project itself, because some plots are not serviceable or are in conditions that may call into question the project or impact its design.
As a first step, it is recommended to apply for a town planning certificate from the town planning department of the municipality in which the land is located. This certificate is not legally required, but it is highly recommended. It presents all the town planning rules that concern the land, including access to the various public facilities in order to provide connections, but also the limits of the plot or the amount of taxes. This document notably informs the buyer of the feasibility or otherwise of his servicing and construction project.
It is also important to ensure access to the plot, as it is not uncommon for unserviced land sold to be isolated, landlocked or separated from the road by a ditch. Unlike a parcel in a subdivision, the procedures and access costs are the responsibility of the purchasers in most cases. The municipal road service can intervene to establish the terms of access.
For all of these steps, it is recommended to act as soon as possible, before the start of the project. The first contacts can be made with the town planning department. The manufacturer can then possibly take over to guide its customers through the various connections.
What are the necessary connections to service a land? What steps and what prices?
Connection to the drinking water network
The connection to the water network is a priority, as it will be necessary for the construction of the house. The request must be made to the town hall of the municipality and to the local company in charge of the drinking water network. The services concerned will go on site to carry out a technical diagnosis, study the feasibility of the connection, propose an amount accordingly and then, after acceptance, install a meter and proceed with the connection.
Servicing land with drinking water can cost more or less depending on its accessibility. A plot located along the road and close to public networks will be inexpensive to connect, but the price can soar when the land is isolated, landlocked or far from networks. The price also varies according to the regions, but count on average 800 to 1,000 euros, even up to 1,500 euros for a classic connection less than 10 meters. Beyond that, plan around 45 euros per additional meter.
The work can last two to three days or a month depending on the terrain. On the other hand, the processing of the request after receipt is very long, which is why it is advisable to look into it very early.
Connection to the electrical network
The request for connection to the electrical network must be made to ENEDIS, in charge of this type of installation. The procedures are long and require many documents, which further lengthens the time required to obtain satisfaction. Also in this case, a team goes on site to validate the feasibility of the project and propose an estimate to the owner of the land.
The costs of connection to the electricity network are generally between 1,200 and 1,400 euros. This is a fixed price whose amount varies according to the installation and access to the land. In the event of extension, it is necessary to count up to 200 euros per additional meter on average. The overall average fluctuates between 500 and 2,500 euros.
This connection takes a very long time to set up since different organizations are likely to intervene. The duration of the work can be several months, which is why it is imperative to take the lead. It is quite possible to send the request to the electricity service provider of your choice; the latter will take care of doing the necessary with ENEDIS.
Sewer connection
If mains drainage is accessible for your plot, you can take the steps to connect to the collective sanitation network. Otherwise, you will have to opt for individual sanitation. Your request for connection to the sewer network is made to the town hall of the municipality, to the sanitation service or, failing that, to the town planning service. All you have to do is present your project well, pay certain taxes and the connection is programmed.
Count an average of 1,500 euros per meter for a response time that ranges from a few days to a month. For individual sanitation, you will be subject to other constraints which are often studied by your builder and the town hall of the municipality. Allow at least 5,000 euros for individual sanitation.
City gas connection
The request for connection to town gas must be made to ENGIE. It only concerns houses that wish to be connected and is neither compulsory nor essential. An estimate is proposed by ENGIE before the start of the works. If a network extension is needed (more than 30 meters), it is generally the GRDF services that take care of it.
The cost of this connection varies between 400 and 1,000 euros, with a surplus of 100 euros per meter beyond 30 meters. The price depends on the use of gas (heating, hot water, etc.). The steps are very long, since it takes about 2 to 3 months, for a duration of work that can extend over 2 to 4 months.
Connection to the telephone network
The connection to the telephone network is generally carried out by Orange. You must therefore make your request to their services, who will go on site to study the feasibility of the project (on the ground or in the air) and propose an estimate accordingly.
It takes an average of 100 euros for this type of connection, but the various trips by technicians are billed in addition and can drastically increase the bill. Then plan between 1 and 8 weeks for the completion of the work.
For fibre, check with your supplier to find out if you are eligible.