🏗️ 👷♀️ AN EXPENSIVE TRAP_DESIGN AWAY FROM POWER LINES FROM DAY ONE
If you can’t avoid building near Vector’s power lines, you’ll need their “close approach consent”. This is a vital safety requirement… those working close need to be safe from electrocution.
No one is avoiding it but they are calling out the extreme delays and very high cost for what is required. It seems to be controlled by one group.
Maybe, those who are doing the reports have to cover their risk? But why is it that only one group seems to be permitted to do it?
For me in 2021: Reports were $2-4k (mine was $4k from a Vector recommended Orewa consultant and another local paid $2k, I found out afterwards).
Now in 2025: Same reports now cost $7k+.
One of my social media groups has led to several private messages and anger naming one person, all slamming one of the three companies permitted to do the work by Vector… nothing positive to say and calling out another possible market dominant behaviour.
It used to take 2-4 weeks, but now seem to have some out it to 8-12 weeks to get the close approach. This costs a lot of money in delays.
One person said they were hit with surprise $7k+ “scaffolding modelling” fees. This traps developers and work stops.
Vector’s Setup: Their approved consultant list:
🤔 IAMSL/Polescan (Dan McLeely)
🤔 Liveline (“sister company” – also Dan McLeely)
🤔 WSP (someone advised me that it would be far too expensive)
🤔 Power Solutions Ltd
Vector channels work to seemingly 3 companies.
Public complaint processes take so much energy and time so you’re stuck… how many years have we been complaining about Vector and the extreme overcharging for installation works????
Logic says it is best to AVOID the issue, so developers and designers take note of the below!!
‼️ 📣 Your Best Protection:
1. Design stage education – Sort this before consent, not after. Brief your architect/surveyor upfront about power line clearances… get a infrastructure review BEFORE designing!!
2. If needing a close approach: Demand comprehensive fixed quotes with NO surprise fees… two stories I have been given (confidentially of course) show in my opinion either incompetence or gouging.
3. Spread the word – every developer needs to know this, hence I am starting by putting this message out on all of my social media platforms.
Bottom line: Make smart design decision early on to save thou$ands and months of grief later.
Share this: ensure smarter development to prevent excessive costs that are unnecessary and monopolistic.
