Payment policies and HBF agreement

Payment for the construction and installation of the Openreach network on new developments may be made on a per unit basis, at a rate agreed between Openreach and the House Builders Federation.

When and where Openreach enters into a contract with the developer or sub-contractor to lay the on-site infrastructure, the following process must be followed to ensure that invoices are paid in a timely manner.

Work on new sites is subject to the terms and conditions which can be found on the attached "Contract for Newsite Development" document. Certain developments are eligible for set fee rates agreed with the House Builders Federation (HBF), please contact your new sites team if you wish to discuss this further.

Openreach will only pay invoices on full completion of the site, providing that the quality standards are met.

Contract for newSite development

Release File Name Version Size Issue date Type
N/A newSites contract document 1.0 501kb 21/01/2011

Before the developer submits any invoice they must arrange for a Quality Statement sign off by their newSites representative (NSR). The NSR will then arrange a meeting on site and ensure that all work meets the standards set out in the contract. (No payment will be made if the standards are not met).

Once the Quality Statement has been signed, the developer can submit their invoice to BT Accounts Payable. The invoice must quote the following:

  • The appropriate purchase order and/or contract number (as agreed)
  • The Openreach NSI reference number
  • The number of plots involved and the unit cost per plot

Ensure invoices are addressed to the correct legal entity, which should always contain the name "BT" or "British Telecommunications".

Do ensure a full tax invoice additionally includes the following:

  • An identifying number.[invoice number]
  • BT's name, address
  • The time of the supply
  • The date of issue
  • Your company's name and address and VAT registration number if applicable. Note that the address should match that in the original purchase order otherwise there will be a delay in payment as a new purchase order may be required.
  • Total charge exclusive of VAT and the rate of VAT
  • Any discount including rate of discount; and
  • Total VAT payable.
  • You should also ensure that you have supplied all the relevant information to BT Accounts Payable associated with HMRC's CIS scheme (Construction Industry Scheme) including your Unique Tax Reference (UTR) details.

Do ensure all invoices are addressed in full to:-

BT Accounts Payable
Openreach Housing Estates
PO Box 378
Parkway Business Centre
Manchester
M14 0WP

(Unless advised otherwise on the purchase order)

Further information on what should be included on the invoice can be found on the "Selling 2 BT" website at www.selling2bt.bt.com/Payment/BetterPaymentPracticeUK/default.htm.

If the quality of work falls below the required standard, the NSR will issue the developer with a remedial/snagging list.

When all remedial work has been completed to the quality standards, the sign-off will take place and the contract payment can be progressed.

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