Supply is rarely part of the house price and almost always the most variable item. Grid connection, partial autonomy and off-grid are three routes with very different cost profiles.
1. Three routes, three cost profiles
A grid connection is simplest in operation but costs considerably depending on the distance to the line. Partial autonomy – grid power plus solar and storage – lowers running costs at moderate investment. Off-grid moves everything into equipment.
Which route works is decided by location: a plot 150 metres from the nearest line calculates differently from one on the street.
2. Electricity
The service connection is applied for with the local network operator. Costs depend on distance, routing and connected load. Solar with storage can reduce consumption but rarely replaces the connection entirely in winter.
With a heat pump or direct heating the required connected load rises, which belongs in the same application.
3. Water
A connection to the public network is the normal case. Alternatively, fresh water tanks with refilling create autonomy but generate operating effort.
In frost regions – Denmark, Swiss altitudes – frost-safe routing and trace heating belong in the design rather than in retrofitting.
4. Wastewater
Sewer connection, collection tank or small treatment plant – admissibility follows municipal rules and water protection. In the Netherlands the water authority is additionally involved through the Environment and Planning Portal.
Separating dry toilets reduce black water but do not solve the grey water question from kitchen and shower.
5. The order of applications
Approach network operator, water utility and municipality in parallel before the delivery date is fixed. These lead times are the most common reason a delivered house is not yet habitable.
Official sources
As of 2026-08-13. All figures are non-binding project guidance and not legal, authority, structural, energy or tax advice. Prices are ex-works indications; only a checked quotation is binding.