After some desk-research I found out that there are many companies who can provide a gas supply, not just one. I have written a summary of what I found here (using the same user name): How to get a gas supply to your house - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums Fulcrum (wholely owned by National Grid) are probably trading on peoples lack of knowledge of alternatives to quote rip-off prices. Even the man I spoke to on the phone at Fulcrum said, after I was shocked by the price he quoted, "Yes, its extortionate".

The nearest gas main is I expect just an ordinary street gas main. I've been investigating gwetting a gas supply - apparantly there are lots of people who can do it, although it requires a lot of investigation to find them, and I expect Fulcrum are just replying on peoples inertia and the belief that there is no competition.

I have been quoted £17000 (seventeen THOUSAND pounds!!!!) by Fulcrum to install gas at my house. I then got a quote from a local firm to just dig the trench, which was only about £1500, less than the a tenth the cost. So I have a very very poor opinion of Fulcrum as I am sceptical that connecting the pipe to the main really merits the extra £15500. So saving £150 on the £17000 bill would not have me jumping for joy. I'm curious - what did Transco do for the £425? Did they dig the road up (or tunnel under it) to get to the gas main? How far were you from the gas main - was it less than ten meters please?

I am new: how do I PM Surfer01 please? I need to be connected to gas, including getting some trenched pipework as I am about 60m from the nearest gas main. Any other advice about doing this would also be appreciated. Thanks.