€900 to put electric in my name?

Hi everyone

I recently bought a house in Estepona and the lawyer I used has saini need a new meter and fuse box thingy to have electric put in my name. 

He sent some guys round with a quote for €900! I am really shocked at this and am wondering if it's right? I am told by a local shop keeper that if I change electric company there will be no charge? 

Anyone out there that can advise me? I can't really afford €900 :(  Roy

Sorry, is this a new build house? If so then these charges are normally made. Ours didn't cost that much but was over €500 and that was about 6 years ago and included the water supply and meter as well.

If it's a resale, unless your fusebox is really old then it shouldn't need changing. When I sold a flat the solicitor simply changed the name on the account online and didn't make any charge and there is no reason to change it simply because the account name is changing. If it does need a new fusebox because the old one is no longer fit for purpose then that still seems excessive. I paid £270 for a replacement one in UK including fitting so 900 euro does seem a bit much.

On the other hand, if there is no current contract (lapsed because of no one living there, for example, or a bank repossession) then the cost of connecting to the supply and fitting a meter is around €300. If the property is more than 20 years old then a "boletin" (safety certificate) would be required and these can cost upwards of €200 to obtain.

(When we first moved over, it would have been easier to keep the front door open and just throw money out the door at everyone who passed as everyone seemed to want something for this and something else for that. Expensive old business here).

Hi I also had a electric meter and water meter fitted 7 years ago cost 500eu for the two I did not require any other work to be carried out .

Warning make sure you set up a standing order for the water and electric if you dontand you fail to pay on time you will be cut off and you will have to pay again and will take up to 6 weeks for a reconection good luck.

Roy the electricity company will have a tariff for work they undertake, so first of all check what they would charge to do the work.

However, if you employ an electrician, then he can charge whatever  he likes to do any work.  There is no legally established standard charge. It's like buying any other service or product. One shop may sell a TV for 100 euros whereas another might ask 200 for the same set,  one gardener may ask 10 euros an hour, another 20, that is why people shop around.   It would be tempting if you ask someone, anyone including a  solicitor, real estate agent to recommend someone, for them to choose someone who would  add a commission on top for them.