Getting Utilities connected

Good Afternoon,

I am due to complete at end of June and I was woundering what the situation is regarding getting water, electricity, cable TV etc connected. Does everyone in our developmentuse the same providers? Is there a choice? Is it a quick and easy thing to get sorted or will it take some time. Many thanks for any advice.

Robert Aylward

Hi

I assume we will all get the same deal - that is we are all on builder's utilities (electric and water) until the forseeable future.

However on completion you have to pay 150 euros to the builder - this is for him to change over services to us. This covers, so we are told, the registration of us as owners to the appropriate electric and water companies.

Don't know if there is a chice of providers like in UK

Regarding TV - don't know  really- but there are adverts in local press for UK satellite package for about 20 euros a month plus connection fee.

Hope this answers question for now

Steve

Spain has just changed rules on choosing a supplier. Iberdrola is the local electric supplier (water no choice at the moment). As it's all new I suggest you just accept the supplier the builder will register you with until Spanish press makes comments about choosing a supplier. I believe it is then quite an easy process to change supplier if your Spanish is good enough, of course.

I have been resident here now for over 2 weeks and although there have been a few blips with electric supply, all has been fine. Builder is putting outside lights on all apartment so the building looks smart.

Air conditioning:  air con outside units are not trunked to terraces but to central points on the roof. This means we have no noise from these units to our flats and gives us more space on our terraces. So when you are buying air con make sure the units you buy are capable of being connected via lengthy trunking to the roof. I used a Brit here who  is very competent, and so very very busy with work.

The flats have ALL been cabled for TV (a digital point from rooftop aerials) and a satellite cable point. My understanding is that "The Community" will have to decide on what is allowed to be installed and I doubt they will want lots of huge satelite dishes on terraces and outside walls spoiling the look of our beautiful building. The Community makes all the rules about how the building is run but it will be some time until it is set up. Presumably that will be after everyone has completed. That is the law in Spain for communal buildings like ours. Murcia Region has stopped analogue TV in the north and within the next 6 months we will be cut off and will have to have tvs capable of receiving DTD (digital). I know the communal area is capable of receiving DTD. I am sure eventually there will be cable companies offerring UK packages, and broadband. Broadband here is very very expensive and you have to have a Telefonica landline to get it..

So until you know what is happening I wouldn't rush into getting a dish here as you may at some time have to remove it!!!

The pool was filled last Friday but it will be 2 weeks until it can be used because the chemicals etc have to be filtered properly before use. So access to pool area has been closed meantime.

Hello JuneBar. I am coming out on the 13th to La Vereda(El Mirador) for a few days before our family holiday and have been trying to get aircon fitted. I have had a really expensive quote, and a contact name that I havent been able to get a hold of. Could you post the details of who you used for yours if you dont mind.

Do you think that security grilles are needed, I had a friend who bought in Villamartin and had a break in.

Thanks for your help.

The person who installed mine is called Bill Wilson (from Scotland). He says we need good air con because the outside units are on our roof. I paid a lot, but it was £800 cheaper than a Spanish firm for the same system. He is really busy because he has such a good reputation here. His Span mobile is 0034 676557298. I went for the top of the range Toshiba as I am here permanently. I am waiting on a quote for 1 large unit for me friend which will keep the whole flat cool if bedroom doors are left open.

Someone here paid about £1500 for 1 large unit from the company who installed the ducting and it cools their 3 bedroom flat. Bill will be cheaper than that but I doubt if he could fit before 13th. If you let me know how many indoor air cons you want I will ask him.

I will eventually get a grille door fitted and have had 2 cos. recommended. But I only want this because I have direct access to the pool so I will have people actually passing near my door and I want to leave my front door open and window open to get a through draft when I'm at the pool. I would however recommend you change your locks. A friend here does this too. The building is very secure and I am living here almost on my own so have not felt unsafe. The villagers appear to leave there doors open all the time. Security guards patrol the whole village every evening paid for by the council.

My tel no is 0034 679 561 075 if you want to give me a call.

Hi JuneBar, thanks for the reply. I think I will just need 1 unit for the living room, I'm hoping ceiling fans will be ok for the two bedrooms. My flat is on top floor. If you could find out a price for me that would be great.

Thanks for the advice about the locks and I will definetely look into this.

I'm just leaving for work, but would like to call you later if that's ok.

Cheers,

David

Hi June Barr

Do you know what the kilo watts are on your air con units ?

I have a multi split inverter system. 3.5 kw in lounge and 2 kw units in bedrooms. There is a shortage of air con units in stock just now because Spain was hit with a rush in June for air con installations because of the very high termperatures. A Mitsubishi from Bill (same as my friend is getting installed next week) will cost £1,060).. Toshiba units not in stock.

June

Hi June,  Thanks for the information about the air con.  I spoke to someone today who says it would roughly cost about £1,500 for those type of units.

Angela

Hi June, my family and I had the pleasure of meeting you last week as we completed on our apartment (3E). I called down to your apartment on Sunday morning (about nine) with our freeview box for you to try, but you must have been out. I remember you mentioned using this forum, hence thought I would drop you a line.

Anyway June, just to let you know that by purchasing that 20 euro freeview box we availed of 26 channels, 22 of which were Spanish. The picture was excellent. I bought it in 'Leroy Merlins' at the Carrafour, on route to Cartagena.

We got the Disney channel in English for the kids, along with a film channel.

You will prob want to purchase something more substantial with more choice as you are a permenant resident, but this was fine for us at present.

Anyway June, we should be back over in August, hope to see you then, take care,

Mark, Jacqui and family

Hi Mark & Jackie

Sorry I missed you and thanks for the info. It has been so so hot here. Someone told me today it was nearly 50deg in Murcia city yesterday. It was just too hot for me to go out and only managed it to the pool at 8pm.

Today was out at 9am and it was boiling so have got back to stay in all day till we go out in the evening. There has been a Flamenco Fiesta in Cultural Centre since Wednesday, and I have seen 1 concert at Jazz festival in San Javier and another 2 at weekend. At least there's a nice breeze late at night in the outdoor auditorium there.

We are still having major problems with the lifts here and I feel sorry for those on higher levels. Lots of small problems with plumbing etc in peoples flats but everyone seems really happy with their purchases.

Look forward to seeing you again in August

June

x

Hi June, great to hear from you, and we hope you are keeping well.

Anybody we have spoken too have been really pleased with their apartments. On our departure I left a list of minor snags needing repaired, apparently all of which were rectified through Paco and Louise. I must admit they have done anything asked of them without hesitation.

We had a builder look over our apartment and thankfully he was very complimentary regarding the build quality and finish. I think it is enevatable there will be problems throughout the communal area, but judging by our apartment these will all be fixed and left perfect.

There appear to be great plans for the town centre over the coming months regarding the pedestrian area etc, we have heard nothing but good reports about Sucina since our return.

Hope you manage okay with the heat June, if it makes you feel any better, we are in N. Ireland where it is 18 degrees and raining, ENJOY!!!. Speak soon,

Mark and Jacqui,

I think that Telefonica do a package where you can get TV  Phone and broadband together in a package. Has anyone signed up for this???

You can freephone them from any landline 1004

I was wondering how much this costs and Is it any good???