Dodgy fibre install, can we get them to fix it?

I always think I'll chip in with a quick reply, but invariably I end up expanding my answers for absolute clarity. On the one hand, I apologise for making you read through my ramblings, but on the other hand I hope you find the additional insights useful...

Just echoing what others have stated. Tree owners are responsible for ensuring their trees do not interfere with any overhead cabling, and must periodically trim any offending branches etc back. Cables running through tree branches do not indicate a 'dodgy' install - it merely means the trees have grown since the install and the tree owner needs to organise a trim.

And yes, Chorus will move the connection underground for you - for a fee. The process has changed in the past couple of years and is now generally cheaper than it used to be. Originally, Chorus charged the actual out of pocket cost for the work, and it wasn't unusual to see quotes up to $10,000, particularly when major footpath reinstatement work to council standards was required. As an example, Auckland Council doesn't allow Chorus to slot trench their concrete footpaths - we have to replace the entire slab at the nearest joint - which can sometimes be many square metres.

These days, the work is rate carded - this means we charge a set fee for a set activity no matter how complex the task is, or how long a distance needs to be covered, or how costly the footpath reinstatement is. This change also means that we don't undertake OHUG scope visits anymore, which also helps to reduce cost and time to complete. For this reason, it is very important to ensure you advise your RSP upfront of exactly what work you need Chorus to do (and it is important the RSP includes this information in the order), as it will form the basis of the price that is presented to you.

I'm sorry I don't have the exact pricing to hand, but it's something like the below, give or take a few dollars:

You arrange the trench/duct from side of the house to base of the pole*, Chorus just turns up to install new cable and remove old overhead cabling - $550
Chorus carries out all work including trenching inside and outside boundary - $1500
You provide inside boundary trench/duct, Chorus arranges outside boundary work - somewhere between the two above figures.

*Generally this is only possible if the pole is immediately adjacent to your front boundary. In some cases, the pole may be some distance away from your boundary on the other side of the footpath/road reserve. In such cases, the home owner would need council consent to dig outside boundary, in which case it's advisable to let Chorus handle this part, as we have a standing arrangement with most councils for basic footpath excavation, meaning we generally don't need to apply and wait for consent in the same way a homeowner would.

Also worth noting that the price guidelines above apply when requesting OHUG through your RSP. Different pricing applies where there is no active service at your address and you contact Chorus directly to request an OHUG (eg as part of a property renovation or redevelopment). I believe in that instance, the old "scope visit and quote for actual costs" process applies.

Having said all this, the OP's easiest/cheapest option in the stated scenario is to simply ask the council to trim their trees 😎

turtleattacks

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