Getting a charge point installed when ground works are needed

[wandle MG4 trophy]

Am looking for recommendations for chargepoint installers around London who will also dig a trench (for the cables) across the communal car park and install a chargepoint on a free-standing pole next to my dedicated parking space.

All the big companies only do standard installations and leave you to arrange the groundworks yourself.

I’ve contacted a couple of “turnkey” installers who specialise in EV installations for flats, offices and communal car parks but they are not really interested in doing the installation for a single flat. (one did quote at £7k).

And don’t get me started on asking the management company for permission for the works. One month on and 2 chasers and I have heard nothing. The galling thing is they will charge over £500 for the licence to alter. Daylight robbery.

 

[Deleted member 7316]

Your last point is the one to be solved 1st. No installer is going to consider the work unless you have written permission of the owner of the land or his agent.

Then you need to break down the job. A sparks doesn't dig trenches. You need a sparks to survey the job and define his requirements in order that he can turn up and do his part and confirm it can be done. I.e., how does he access your fuse box and what is his route to the ground level, what are the distances involved to the mid point of the end of your allocated space. Is it terminating on a wall or is a power bollard required?

A groundworks company will quote to dig the trench, lay in the conduit including running a pull through rope, back fill and make good the surface. The schedule of work would have to be submitted to the management company to confirm it is acceptable. As they will almost certainly be just a bunch of pen pushers they will almost pass it through to a retained "expert" to verify the work being proposed (that why it costs £500, they don't get out of bed for less). If a bollard is required then it in turn will need a plinth

Only then can the electrician actually turn up and do the work. All of these people will have vans to operate, insurance to pay for, warranty liability to cover, admin staff and so on. Thats why a "turnkey" company wants £7k

 

[Gomev]

This was an interesting watch.

 

[wandle MG4 trophy]

Here‘s an update to my original post - I finally sorted out a turnkey install from SED

Electric Car Charging Point Installers London | Electric Vehicle Charging London | EV Charger Installation London | EV Charging Point Installers London - Kent, Surrey, Sussex

SED EV Charging are Electric Car Charging Point Installers in London, offering services for Electric Vehicle Charging EV Charging Point Installations across London and the Thames Valley.

www.sedevcharging.co.uk

This was not a standard install as I needed a trench dug across the car park and a free-standing mounting pole installed next to my dedicated parking space.

Most of the usual EV charge point installers won’t touch groundwork, leaving you to arrange the digging of the trench and subsequent filling in. Doing this is full of hassle and risk.

SED did a turnkey installation - groundworks and EV charge point installation. The cost was about the same as using Octopus for the charge point and a local builder to do the digging etc but was completely hassle free. SED were also about half the cost of another specialist installer.

The installation was booked for the following week. The crew were very friendly, helpful and efficient. The block paving across the car park was relaid very well. The Easee One charger looks good on the wooden mounting pole.

I have a lovely charger - all I need now is my car - due in a few weeks.

I would certainly recommend SED for a non standard charge point install.

 

[Buchanty]

Am looking for recommendations for chargepoint installers around London who will also dig a trench (for the cables) across the communal car park and install a chargepoint on a free-standing pole next to my dedicated parking space.

All the big companies only do standard installations and leave you to arrange the groundworks yourself.

I’ve contacted a couple of “turnkey” installers who specialise in EV installations for flats, offices and communal car parks but they are not really interested in doing the installation for a single flat. (one did quote at £7k).

And don’t get me started on asking the management company for permission for the works. One month on and 2 chasers and I have heard nothing. The galling thing is they will charge over £500 for the licence to alter. Daylight robbery.

Thanks, that's very interesting. I live in a first floor flat and, now in my fourth year of EV ownership, have yet to find a viable and affordable alternative to public charging.