New Gas Connections for Developments, Businesses and Homes
Air Utilities is a GIRS accredited Independent Connection Provider delivering new gas connections across England, from single homes to large residential and commercial developments. We design and install the new gas main and service pipes, manage the Gas Distribution Network throughout, and arrange the meter, so your supply is connected safely, adopted by the network and ready to use. Whether you need a single domestic connection or gas mains laid across an entire estate, we deliver it under one contract with one point of contact.
What Is a New Gas Connection?
A new gas connection is the physical pipe that brings mains gas from the network to your property or development for the first time. It covers the new service pipe laid from the gas main to your meter position, the emergency control valve, the issuing of your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN), and the meter installation that finally makes the supply usable.
Two things are worth understanding before you start. First, a new connection splits into contestable and non-contestable works, and the trenching and pipe-laying, the largest part of the job, is contestable, meaning an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities can carry it out rather than the network. Second, if a property previously had gas, you may only need the supply uncapping or a new meter rather than a full connection, which is quicker and cheaper. We confirm exactly what your site needs at the enquiry stage.
Who Does What in a Gas Connection
Getting gas to a property involves more than one organisation. Knowing who does what avoids delay.
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| Gas Distribution Network (GDN) | Regional network operator. Controls the point of connection and the non-contestable works. |
| Independent Gas Transporter (IGT) | Owns and operates gas networks on many new developments as an alternative to the GDN. |
| Independent Connection Provider (ICP) | An accredited contractor, such as Air Utilities, that carries out the contestable works. |
| Gas supplier | Installs and commissions the meter and activates the supply once the MPRN is issued. |
Air Utilities carries out the contestable design and installation and manages the GDN or IGT liaison for you, so you are not chasing multiple parties.
New Gas Connection Services
- New gas mains for housing and commercial developments, from 2 plots to large multi-phase schemes
- New service pipes from the main to each meter position
- Domestic gas connections for single homes and self-builds
- Commercial and industrial gas connections across LP, MP and IP pressure tiers
- Gas meter installations and MPRN coordination
- Meter housing and kiosk installation for larger commercial and industrial meters
- GT1 surveys, permits and GDN applications managed on your behalf
- Excavation, pipe-laying, pressure testing, purging, commissioning and reinstatement
Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Gas Connections
The right connection depends on how much gas your site needs. Gas networks work in pressure tiers, and the tier determines what can be connected and how it is metered.
| Type | Pressure tier | Typical meter | Suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Low pressure (LP) | U6 | Individual homes, small self-builds |
| Small commercial | LP / MP | U16, U25 | Shops, offices, small units |
| Larger commercial | MP / IP | U40, U65 | Restaurants, commercial kitchens, larger premises |
| Industrial | IP and above | Industrial metering, kiosk | Factories, high-demand plant |
For higher-pressure or specialist industrial work beyond our direct accredited scope, we deliver the connection through our network of accredited specialist partners, so you still get a single point of contact.
Why Use an ICP for Your Gas Connection?
The trenching and pipe-laying on a gas connection is contestable work, which means you do not have to accept the GDN's price for it. Appointing an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities for the contestable scope commonly reduces the cost of that part of the job, while we still coordinate the non-contestable works and the GDN or IGT connection on your behalf. On a typical connection the contestable saving is meaningful, and you get:
- One point of contact for design, civils, GDN liaison and meter coordination
- A single programme aligned to your build rather than the network's queue
- A design adoptable by the network from day one under our GIRS accreditation
- The choice of GDN or IGT route, which affects both upfront cost and how future residents are billed
What Affects the Cost of a New Gas Connection?
There is no fixed national price for a gas connection. The main cost drivers are:
- Distance to a suitable gas main. If your property is more than around 23 metres from the nearest main, costs rise, and a main extension pushes them up sharply.
- Load and pressure tier. Higher demand needs a higher pressure tier and larger metering.
- Digging and surface type. Crossing a road or pavement, or breaking out block paving, costs far more than a short run through soft ground.
- Traffic management and NRSWA notices. Working in an adopted highway adds permits and traffic management.
- Meter type and housing. A domestic U6 meter is inexpensive; commercial U25, U40 and larger meters, and any kiosk, cost more.
- GDN versus IGT route. An IGT often reduces upfront cost because it retains ownership of the assets and recovers revenue over time.
Because every site is different, and the cost depends on factors such as distance, ground conditions, capacity and any network works, we do not publish fixed prices. Tell us about your site and we will give you an accurate, no-obligation quote.
How Long Does a New Gas Connection Take?
Timescales depend on the site and how much work the network operator has to do. As a general industry guide, a straightforward domestic connection can take from around a month to a couple of months from enquiry to a live meter, while commercial and multi-plot schemes take longer. A large part of the timeline sits with the GDN or IGT, and organising your supply contract early is essential, because a meter cannot be installed until an MPRN is issued and a supply contract is in place.
Our New Gas Connection Process
- 1
Enquiry and feasibility
We take your postcode, expected gas demand and timing, check the nearest main and confirm what your site needs.
- 2
Design and quotation
We produce a compliant gas design, specifying pipe sizes and routes, with a transparent quote.
- 3
Application and approvals
We manage the GDN or IGT application, GT1 survey and any highway permits, and the MPRN is issued for the new supply point.
- 4
Installation
Our GIRS accredited teams lay the new main and service pipes, install the meter position and carry out pressure testing, purging and reinstatement.
- 5
Meter and commissioning
The meter is installed and commissioned, and you receive full certification on handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MPRN?
A Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) is the unique number that identifies the gas connection point at your property. It is issued when the new supply point is set up, and you need it to arrange a gas meter and a supply contract. You can find an existing MPRN by searching the national gas meter point register using your postcode.
What is the difference between a GDN and an IGT?
A Gas Distribution Network (GDN) is the regional network operator for your area. An Independent Gas Transporter (IGT) owns and operates gas networks on many new developments as an alternative. There is no difference in the service; the choice mainly affects upfront cost and how future residents are billed. We can advise on the best route for your project.
Can I use an ICP instead of the gas network for my connection?
Yes, for the contestable works. The trenching and pipe-laying can be carried out by an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities, commonly at a lower cost than the network. The GDN or IGT still handles the non-contestable works and the final connection, which we coordinate for you.
Do I need a full new connection if the property had gas before?
Not always. If the property previously had gas, you may only need the supply uncapping or a new meter, which is quicker and cheaper than a full connection. We confirm this at the enquiry stage.
Do you install the meter as well as the connection?
We install the connection, lay the service pipe and coordinate the meter position and MPRN. The meter itself is installed and commissioned as part of the process, and a supply contract must be in place before it can be activated.
How far from the gas main can my property be?
There is no fixed limit, but distance is a major cost driver. Beyond around 23 metres from the nearest main, costs increase, and a longer run requires a main extension. We assess the route and confirm the options at feasibility.
Get a Free Quote for Your Gas Connection
Tell us your postcode, expected demand and timing, and we will set out exactly what your gas connection needs. GIRS accredited, one contract, one point of contact from design to a live meter.