GETTING GAS TO A PROPERTY: WHAT REALLY HAPPENS (STEP-BY-STEP).
For renovators who want clarity before things get complicated.
Whether it’s for central heating or cooking, getting gas to a property isn’t as simple as clicking a button. It’s a process, sometimes slow, always layered, and when you’re flipping, delays can mean extra holding costs and headaches you didn’t plan for.
So here’s what actually happens when you need to bring gas to a house that’s not yet connected.
Step 1 – Find out if the property is already on the gas grid
Start by checking with your local Gas Distribution Network (GDN) or using a postcode checker online.
If it's not connected, you'll need to apply for a new supply.
Step 2 – Create an online account with your GDN and submit a request
I did this while still in conveyancing. My GDN was SGN. They asked for:
The site address and postcode
A contact number
A project manager or main contact on site
Photos, plans or maps (especially for conservation areas or new builds)
Step 3 – Wait for your quote
In some cases, you get a quote instantly.
In others (if the case is “non-standard”), it’s passed to a team and can take up to 11 working days. They might also request a site visit if:
You need more than 20m of pipe
The house has 5+ bedrooms
It’s a flat above first floor
There’s a heated swimming pool (not likely, but noted)
Step 4 – Pay the invoice once you're ready
I paid £1,194 for about 4m of excavation between the road and my boundary.
You can dig your own trench on private ground to save money. But the GDN handles everything on public land.
And just because the meter is going outside doesn’t mean you’re done.
Step 5 – If you're in a conservation area, check for consent
I had to call the council. In my case, no permission was needed, but the GDN needed written confirmation of that. Don’t skip this bit.
Step 6 – Get your works date
Once everything’s approved, you’re passed to an ‘acceptance team’.
They’ll call you to book the job.
Mine took over 12 weeks, because the road had to be closed, and they must give the council 12 weeks’ notice.
Side note: I got a letter about the closure. My neighbours didn’t. Make sure you let people know!
Step 7 – Book your gas meter
This is where people get stuck. The GDN installs the pipe.
But the meter? That’s the gas supplier’s job. You need to:
Set up an account with your chosen supplier
Give them the MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number)
They’ll pass it to their metering company (mine was OES)
The meter can usually be booked 1–2 days after the supply is installed
You may need to chase this part, it’s not automatic. OES only booked within 4 weeks of the installation date.
Step 8 – Final step: get the gas connected inside the house
The GDN installs the pipe.
The metering company installs the meter.
But you still need a Gas Safe engineer to connect the meter to your heating system.
That’s a separate job, and a separate cost.
The reality of the job on-site
Even though the road closure was approved for one day, it stayed closed for five.
Why? The GDN splits the job between multiple teams:
Barriers
Digging + pipe laying
Backfilling
Pavement repair
Road tarmacking
Barrier removal
Each team works on a separate schedule.
So don’t assume the dates you’re given mean full completion in one go.
Final note
Gas combi boilers are still allowed in existing homes (though not in new builds from 2025).
If you’re flipping an older property, gas is still a valid option—but factor in the timeline, the cost, and the coordination it takes to get this sorted.
It’s not hard.
But it’s not fast.
And it’s rarely explained clearly.
That’s why I’m sharing it, so you don’t have to find out the hard way, like most of us do.