diff --git a/nmrs/CHANGELOG.md b/nmrs/CHANGELOG.md
index 61eea944..3279393c 100644
--- a/nmrs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/nmrs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 All notable changes to the `nmrs` crate will be documented in this file.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Changed 
+- Dedupe DBus proxy construction across connection logic ([#165](https://github.com/cachebag/nmrs/pull/165))
 
 ## [1.2.0] - 2026-01-05
 ### Added
diff --git a/nmrs/src/core/connection.rs b/nmrs/src/core/connection.rs
index 5c4de6c6..d71b8773 100644
--- a/nmrs/src/core/connection.rs
+++ b/nmrs/src/core/connection.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use crate::core::state_wait::{wait_for_connection_activation, wait_for_device_di
 use crate::dbus::{NMAccessPointProxy, NMDeviceProxy, NMProxy, NMWirelessProxy};
 use crate::monitoring::info::current_ssid;
 use crate::types::constants::{device_state, device_type, timeouts};
-use crate::util::utils::decode_ssid_or_empty;
+use crate::util::utils::{decode_ssid_or_empty, nm_proxy};
 use crate::Result;
 
 /// Decision on whether to reuse a saved connection or create a fresh one.
@@ -210,12 +210,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn forget(conn: &Connection, ssid: &str) -> Result<()> {
 
     debug!("Starting connection deletion phase...");
 
-    let settings: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-        .path("/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings")?
-        .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings")?
-        .build()
-        .await?;
+    let settings = nm_proxy(
+        conn,
+        "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings",
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings",
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     let list_reply = settings.call_method("ListConnections", &()).await?;
     let conns: Vec<OwnedObjectPath> = list_reply.body().deserialize()?;
@@ -223,12 +223,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn forget(conn: &Connection, ssid: &str) -> Result<()> {
     let mut deleted_count = 0;
 
     for cpath in conns {
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(cpath.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await?;
+        let cproxy = nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            cpath.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await?;
 
         if let Ok(msg) = cproxy.call_method("GetSettings", &()).await {
             let body = msg.body();
@@ -314,12 +314,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn disconnect_wifi_and_wait(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    let raw: zbus::proxy::Proxy = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-        .path(dev_path.clone())?
-        .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device")?
-        .build()
-        .await?;
+    let raw = nm_proxy(
+        conn,
+        dev_path.clone(),
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device",
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     debug!("Sending disconnect request");
     let _ = raw.call_method("Disconnect", &()).await;
diff --git a/nmrs/src/core/connection_settings.rs b/nmrs/src/core/connection_settings.rs
index 20949386..f4c1bbfa 100644
--- a/nmrs/src/core/connection_settings.rs
+++ b/nmrs/src/core/connection_settings.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use zbus::Connection;
 use zvariant::{OwnedObjectPath, Value};
 
+use crate::util::utils::nm_proxy;
 use crate::Result;
 
 /// Finds the D-Bus path of a saved connection by SSID.
@@ -22,9 +23,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_saved_connection_path(
     conn: &Connection,
     ssid: &str,
 ) -> Result<Option<OwnedObjectPath>> {
-    let settings = zbus::proxy::Proxy::new(
+    let settings = nm_proxy(
         conn,
-        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager",
         "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings",
         "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings",
     )
@@ -34,9 +34,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_saved_connection_path(
     let conns: Vec<OwnedObjectPath> = reply.body().deserialize()?;
 
     for cpath in conns {
-        let cproxy = zbus::proxy::Proxy::new(
+        let cproxy = nm_proxy(
             conn,
-            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager",
             cpath.as_str(),
             "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
         )
@@ -70,12 +69,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn has_saved_connection(conn: &Connection, ssid: &str) -> Resul
 /// Calls the Delete method on the connection settings object.
 /// This permanently removes the saved connection from NetworkManager.
 pub(crate) async fn delete_connection(conn: &Connection, conn_path: OwnedObjectPath) -> Result<()> {
-    let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-        .path(conn_path.clone())?
-        .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-        .build()
-        .await?;
+    let cproxy = nm_proxy(
+        conn,
+        conn_path.clone(),
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     cproxy.call_method("Delete", &()).await?;
     debug!("Deleted connection: {}", conn_path.as_str());
diff --git a/nmrs/src/core/vpn.rs b/nmrs/src/core/vpn.rs
index d075b8ca..470f0928 100644
--- a/nmrs/src/core/vpn.rs
+++ b/nmrs/src/core/vpn.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ use crate::api::models::{
 use crate::builders::build_wireguard_connection;
 use crate::core::state_wait::wait_for_connection_activation;
 use crate::dbus::{NMActiveConnectionProxy, NMProxy};
+use crate::util::utils::nm_proxy;
 use crate::Result;
 
 /// Connects to a WireGuard connection.
@@ -62,15 +63,15 @@ pub(crate) async fn connect_vpn(conn: &Connection, creds: VpnCredentials) -> Res
 
         // Use Settings API to add connection first, then activate separately
         // This avoids NetworkManager's device validation when using add_and_activate_connection
-        let settings_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path("/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings")?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings")?
-            .build()
-            .await?;
+        let settings_api = nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings",
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings",
+        )
+        .await?;
 
         debug!("Adding connection via Settings API");
-        let add_reply = settings_proxy
+        let add_reply = settings_api
             .call_method("AddConnection", &(settings,))
             .await?;
         let conn_path: OwnedObjectPath = add_reply.body().deserialize()?;
@@ -148,12 +149,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn disconnect_vpn(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<()>
     };
 
     for ac_path in active_conns {
-        let ac_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(ac_path.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let ac_proxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            ac_path.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -167,12 +168,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn disconnect_vpn(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<()>
             Err(_) => continue,
         };
 
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(conn_path.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let cproxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            conn_path.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -227,12 +228,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn disconnect_vpn(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<()>
 pub(crate) async fn list_vpn_connections(conn: &Connection) -> Result<Vec<VpnConnection>> {
     let nm = NMProxy::new(conn).await?;
 
-    let settings: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-        .path("/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings")?
-        .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings")?
-        .build()
-        .await?;
+    let settings = nm_proxy(
+        conn,
+        "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings",
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings",
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     let list_reply = settings.call_method("ListConnections", &()).await?;
     let saved_conns: Vec<OwnedObjectPath> = list_reply.body().deserialize()?;
@@ -242,12 +243,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn list_vpn_connections(conn: &Connection) -> Result<Vec<VpnCon
     let mut active_wg_map: HashMap<String, (DeviceState, Option<String>)> = HashMap::new();
 
     for ac_path in active_conns {
-        let ac_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(ac_path.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let ac_proxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            ac_path.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -261,12 +262,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn list_vpn_connections(conn: &Connection) -> Result<Vec<VpnCon
             Err(_) => continue,
         };
 
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(conn_path)?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let cproxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            conn_path,
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -314,12 +315,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn list_vpn_connections(conn: &Connection) -> Result<Vec<VpnCon
             .await
         {
             if let Some(dev_path) = dev_paths.first() {
-                match zbus::proxy::Builder::<zbus::Proxy>::new(conn)
-                    .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-                    .path(dev_path.clone())?
-                    .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device")?
-                    .build()
-                    .await
+                match nm_proxy(
+                    conn,
+                    dev_path.clone(),
+                    "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device",
+                )
+                .await
                 {
                     Ok(dev_proxy) => dev_proxy.get_property::<String>("Interface").await.ok(),
                     Err(_) => None,
@@ -337,12 +338,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn list_vpn_connections(conn: &Connection) -> Result<Vec<VpnCon
     let mut wg_conns = Vec::new();
 
     for cpath in saved_conns {
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(cpath.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let cproxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            cpath.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -403,23 +404,23 @@ pub(crate) async fn forget_vpn(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<()> {
 
     let _ = disconnect_vpn(conn, name).await;
 
-    let settings: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-        .path("/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings")?
-        .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings")?
-        .build()
-        .await?;
+    let settings = nm_proxy(
+        conn,
+        "/org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings",
+        "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings",
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     let list_reply = settings.call_method("ListConnections", &()).await?;
     let conns: Vec<OwnedObjectPath> = list_reply.body().deserialize()?;
 
     for cpath in conns {
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(cpath.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let cproxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            cpath.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -469,12 +470,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_vpn_info(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<VpnCon
     let active_conns = nm.active_connections().await?;
 
     for ac_path in active_conns {
-        let ac_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(ac_path.clone())?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let ac_proxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            ac_path.clone(),
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Connection.Active",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -488,12 +489,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_vpn_info(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<VpnCon
             Err(_) => continue,
         };
 
-        let cproxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = match zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-            .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-            .path(conn_path)?
-            .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection")?
-            .build()
-            .await
+        let cproxy = match nm_proxy(
+            conn,
+            conn_path,
+            "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Settings.Connection",
+        )
+        .await
         {
             Ok(p) => p,
             Err(_) => continue,
@@ -540,12 +541,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_vpn_info(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<VpnCon
         // Device/interface
         let dev_paths: Vec<OwnedObjectPath> = ac_proxy.get_property("Devices").await?;
         let interface = if let Some(dev_path) = dev_paths.first() {
-            let dev_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-                .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-                .path(dev_path.clone())?
-                .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device")?
-                .build()
-                .await?;
+            let dev_proxy = nm_proxy(
+                conn,
+                dev_path.clone(),
+                "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.Device",
+            )
+            .await?;
             Some(dev_proxy.get_property::<String>("Interface").await?)
         } else {
             None
@@ -574,12 +575,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn get_vpn_info(conn: &Connection, name: &str) -> Result<VpnCon
         // IPv4 config
         let ip4_path: OwnedObjectPath = ac_proxy.get_property("Ip4Config").await?;
         let (ip4_address, dns_servers) = if ip4_path.as_str() != "/" {
-            let ip4_proxy: zbus::Proxy<'_> = zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
-                .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
-                .path(ip4_path)?
-                .interface("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.IP4Config")?
-                .build()
-                .await?;
+            let ip4_proxy =
+                nm_proxy(conn, ip4_path, "org.freedesktop.NetworkManager.IP4Config").await?;
 
             let ip4_address = if let Ok(addr_array) = ip4_proxy
                 .get_property::<Vec<HashMap<String, zvariant::Value>>>("AddressData")
diff --git a/nmrs/src/util/utils.rs b/nmrs/src/util/utils.rs
index 8095defe..858c4d8c 100644
--- a/nmrs/src/util/utils.rs
+++ b/nmrs/src/util/utils.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use log::warn;
 use std::borrow::Cow;
 use std::str;
 use zbus::Connection;
+use zvariant::OwnedObjectPath;
 
 use crate::dbus::{NMAccessPointProxy, NMDeviceProxy, NMProxy, NMWirelessProxy};
 use crate::types::constants::{device_type, frequency, signal_strength, wifi_mode};
@@ -143,6 +144,27 @@ where
     Ok(results)
 }
 
+/// Helper to create a NetworkManager D-Bus proxy for a given path and interface.
+///
+/// Returns a zbus Proxy instance for the specified path and interface.
+pub(crate) async fn nm_proxy<'a, P>(
+    conn: &'a Connection,
+    path: P,
+    interface: &'a str,
+) -> Result<zbus::Proxy<'a>>
+where
+    P: TryInto<OwnedObjectPath>,
+    P::Error: Into<zbus::Error>,
+{
+    let owned_path = path.try_into().map_err(Into::into)?;
+    Ok(zbus::proxy::Builder::new(conn)
+        .destination("org.freedesktop.NetworkManager")?
+        .path(owned_path)?
+        .interface(interface)?
+        .build()
+        .await?)
+}
+
 /// Macro to convert Result to Option with error logging.
 /// Usage: `try_log!(result, "context message")?`
 #[macro_export]