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)

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)