Yes, DNOs can take a long time to come back with a quote. It does need to be built into the project programme (depending on what you need, perhaps even at the feasibility/consenting stage!) Your mileage may vary by project type and DNO.

However there is a statutory time by which they need to produce a quote, once formally submitted and all information provided, and there is a liquidated claim you can make should they fail to meet that standard. In addition, they are required to report on this performance to Ofgem. IME, DNOs do take it quite seriously… for at least one it’s also a an internal disciplinary matter for an offer to go out late.

In terms of actual times, I don’t have a complete table to hand, as I’m not in the office today. Note that it varies with project type… and the clock doesn’t start until you’ve provided *all* the required & requested information in the correct way.

If you have a complaint, obviously start at the DNO (who will have a process) but if it can’t be resolved this one of the things Ofgem is there for.

Yes, you can hire licensed (Lloyds registered) Independent Connection Providers to do some of the work, which the DNO then adopts. Some work - like jointing onto the existing network - remains the sole purview of the DNO. And you still need to go through the same connections process (although this time you need to make sure the offer includes the Competition in Connections option). But IME unless you’ve got a lot of new cable to install, or it’s an HV connection the extra overhead may well exceed any saving.

You can indeed hire companies to navigate the connection, but they don’t have a fast-track (although by making sure the application is right first time, and being able to talk the DNO’s language should issues arise, *may* get quicker results)

DNO should respond with a quote for LV connections within between 5 and 25 days (depending on the work involved) from the point that you ask for it with sufficient information.  There is a Guaranteed Standard  see e.g. UKPN publication Our_Guaranteed_Standards_of_Performance_2015.pdf  all DNOs have the same standards.  You should get (£15 to £65 depending on size of supply) compensation for each day that they are late.  There are  GSs for HV and EHV quotes too.

I'm surprised the DNO are taking so long, it is the Meter providers who cannot be bothered in my experience. I've got 2 new supplies ongoing at the moment. One with Western Power, and one with Scottish Power. Both gave  a quote very quickly, at a reasonable price - both around £2000 for a domestic supply. The WPD one has been delayed, but the customer isnt too bothered, he has paid, so they cannot charge him any more now, the Scottish Power one has only just started the process, but they say up to 8 weeks to get it dug and jointed oce the payment has been made.

The problem then is getting the meters fitted, from other groups, people have had real trouble getting anyone to provide a meter for them, there are reports of one supplier saying they are not taking on any more customers (eon rings a bell, but I cannot recall properly).

there are reports of one supplier saying they are not taking on any more customers

I'd believe that. With wholesale prices continuing to increase beyond what was envisaged when the domestic price "cap" was set, all the normal suppliers are losing money on every domestic customer, at least in the short term. Every new customer they take on is a direct hit on the balance sheet and probably means increased borrowing. I gather OFGEM had real problems persuading the remaining suppliers to take on customers 'orphaned' when the last little one went bust.

  - Andy.

Yes. I was orphaned and simply had to accept the deal. Not only are there no deals on offer below the capped rate, nobody even offers the capped rate. The only other option is fixed price contracts at about 30% above the cap.

AJJewsbury said:

there are reports of one supplier saying they are not taking on any more customers

Unless  the supplier is banned by Ofgem from taking on new customers they have to offer you terms for supply and take you on.  To do otherwise is a breach of their Supply Licence condition 22 which says...

Condition 22. Duty to offer and supply under Domestic Supply Contract Licensee’s obligations

22.1 If the licensee supplies electricity to Domestic Premises, it must do so under a Domestic Supply Contract or a Deemed Contract.

22.2 Within a reasonable period of time after receiving a request from a Domestic Customer for a supply of electricity to Domestic Premises, the licensee must offer to enter into a Domestic Supply Contract with that customer.

22.3 If the Domestic Customer accepts the terms of the Domestic Supply Contract offered to him under paragraph 22.2, the licensee must supply electricity in accordance with that contract.

.....

The prices in the offer cannot exceed the price cap set by Ofgem.

Hope this helps