Before you get started

What information do I need to prepare?

The basic details we’ll ask for are:

• your name and email address
• development address, or legal description of the lot(s)
• how many connections will be needed?
  You need to count one for each residential or commercial tenancy as well as common services e.g. fire or elevator alarms, lift phone, security or CCTV systems and any other smart locations. We can also cater for temporary connections, such as for a sales office that will only be set up for a short length of time
• what type of development you are intending to complete?
  For example, is your development an empty section(s), stand-alone house(s), apartments, or retail?
• whether you’ve noticed any of our existing network that may be affected by your development
• whether you would like us to deliver materials to your site or require an installation service such as installing network into an open trench or cabling MDUs for you.

Before proceeding to a contract, or in the case where one of our team will need to assess your request to provide a quote, we will also ask for:

• contact details of any other key people involved in different aspects of the process.
  This might include the legal owner/developer, a site contact person, and someone who should be across the paperwork
• timings you are working towards for earthworks, trench open/close and building completion/occupancy. As your development progresses, you'll be able to return at any point an update these details
• a detailed scheme plan that shows the proposed development site, including any new lot boundaries, and any existing or proposed dwellings in PDF format. These plans are normally created by a surveyor. Please also supply any CAD drawings, if available.

Before we can provide a design, we will also need:

• a plan from the power company showing where they intend to install their access points, especially for any development where materials will need to be installed inside the site. As much as possible we will try to work in with these locations to use a shared trench
• level plans showing the internal layout per floor for any multi-dwelling unit within your development.

How long will it take?

The full process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a number of months depending on:

• Proximity of the site to our nearest network
• Number of premises in the development and capacity in our existing network
• Any new roads or infrastructure required on the development site

You might think your development is simple, however the work required to get our network to your site can be very complex, even for a small development. Because there is no obligation to proceed, it can be good to request a quote early and then come back to resume when you’re ready. We just ask that you confirm the detailed requirements of the installation work early enough to allow us time to get all the work done prior to any new occupants moving in.

Timing indications for Chorus’ responsibilities

Quote and agree

After filling in our online form, provided your job is within certain criteria, you’ll receive a quote immediately. If that’s not possible, your request will need to be assessed by our team and we will aim to provide a quote within five business days.

Design and build

Once you’ve agreed and paid based on the quote provided, we’ll complete a more detailed assessment of the request. In most cases, within five business days you can expect an update on your job. If we advise that you will need to install materials inside the development boundary, Chorus will work with you to agree timings for that work.

Clearance and connect

We will aim to review your Land Title plan within two business days, and your clearance letter will be available immediately once all the requirements are met. If you order pre-built-fibre, then we will aim to respond to your order request within ten business days and work with you to agree timings for the install.

What will it cost?

All job requests will have a cost attached to offset the expenses required for Chorus to bring our network to your site. This cost is based on:

• whether the development is inside one of our UFB areas
• the number of connections required
• the type of development
• the delivery and/or installation of materials (if you select one of these installation options)

When outside one of our UFB areas, we also consider how close the development is to our existing network and what is required to increase capacity and extend the network.

There are a few instances where additional costs may apply:

• if the scope of your development changes from what you originally requested.
• we will seek to recover our costs if you damage any existing network or need it relocated.
• if you misplace or damage any new materials that we supply to you, we can recover the costs of replacing them. This is stated in the New Property Development contract.
• there is a processing fee if you need to register easements for your development.
• costs may apply to obtain some of the required materials.

Large scale development needing staging?

If you have a complex development with multiple lots or dwellings being delivered over a staggered timeframe, we recommend you separate your job requests into stages. When the network build work for each stage is completed, we’ll update our records and provide the clearance letter which you'll need to meet your Council 224C consent condition.

To allow flexibility for the different timing complications that may come up on your project, we recommend each multi-dwelling unit, like apartment buildings, are in their own stage and separate from any single-dwelling units, like houses.

This means that we can supply the clearance letter for a completed stage, which then allows you to sell the premises, while you continue to build the next stage(s).

What if I need a design early?

If you’re in your planning phase and want an indication of what Chorus network will be required within your site, we can provide an early design to assist with planning civil works and utilities within your development site. The plan we supply is not to be used for construction but may be passed through to council for resource consent purposes or used as an input to a masterplan of your development. 

If your development is only small, you’re beginning work within 6 months, or you are not extending new roading infrastructure for example, then an early design won’t be appropriate.  

This is a standalone product and you’ll need to accept a contract and pay a fee before we start on the early design. You will still be required to accept and pay for a build request to install the network when you’re ready to proceed.