We are being asked for 701 euro for connection to water/electricity - does this seem reasonable?

it depends on what is already in place and what is required before connection ie metres, poles, cables etc

my question maybe not very clear. This charge is to put electric/water into our names for completion

Can only quote from personal experience. Took over an established house from a Spanish family. The utilities were already connected. The estate agent arranged putting the utilities into my name for no additional cost.

exactly, as 03630 says there is no charge to just change names over - is it the companies charging you direct or is their a "3rd party" involved ?

Its more complicated than that
Has been discussed here

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ection+charges

I hear at the end of 2008 early 2009 you may switch providers like you can in the UK so that will mean the companies fight for your custom and may bring prices down a little. Until then we here at Posh Towers will not be buying mobile telephones, Piers the valet will make our weekly broadcasts to loved ones in the UK using the usual method. Saves a fortune keeping lecky bills down but plays havoc with his John Lobbs.I think we pay him too much.

710E is not too expensive if you are paying a solicitor to do it. In my experience theSpanish solicitors are all rip off merchants. They kinow you may have difficulty with the language and have no expericence of buying/selling so cash in, and charge you a high fee for what should be free or done at very little cost.
It leaves a sour taste in the mouth for a whicle, but after that yu but it done to experience and move on.
Good luck.

701 euro is what the builder says is required to put utilities into our name

well he might be trying ot pull the wool over your eyes - Iberdrola speak English so phone them yourself - if you have a previous bill use the reference numbers from that

The water might be a bit more difficult if they dont speak English, do you have aphone number for them ? pay a translator to phone them for you to you can be sure this builer is telling the truth

but as MItzy says it might not be as straight forward as changing the name, if a boletin is involved there could be extra costs incurred - get a translator if you can

Thanks Spain, the house is a new build and we are completing next week,just wanted to fnd out from others experience if this amount is reasonable.Will get solicitor to double check it.
Thanks for your replies

Tell him it should be included in the house price, if the contract is for a habitable property then they will of needed to be there anyway. ;-)

Ahhha

If its a new build then all these costs should be for the cost of the builder. If you have a contract refer to it. When we bought the builder tried to make us pay for a few things that were in the price and we had to bring it to their attention.

They will try to get away with anything
Look at your contract .... refer them to it!