We want to move our gas & electricity meters that are currently housed in the garage, as we're converting the garage into a bedroom. The electricity company wants to charge around =A3500 simply to reattach the meter once it's been moved and the electrician thinks it'll be between =A31500 to =A31800 to actually dig up & re-lay the cable to the new site, which is at most 4 meters away. We are expecting similar prices for the gas meter. Does this sound unreasonable to anyone else, apart from me? We're now looking at just moving them to the other side of the wall where they are at the moment but this would put them outside, on the front of the house and I'm not sure if this is allowed. We would box them in but perhaps there are regulations against this? Any help would be appreciated. The proposed bedroom won't be huge and boxing them in, in their existing spot would be unsightly and limit where we could place wardrobes.
MOVING GAS & ELECTRICITY METERS
Aug 03, 2008
6 Replies
Is the new bedroom necessary for a disabled person? (HINT This bedroom is necessary for a disabled person)
Most energy co's have a policy of moving meters free or at very low cost when necessary for disabled persons. We got ours moved free of charge to allow for a downstairs bathroom.
In the interests of non-discrimination, I know one stopped doing service alterations for disabled customers for free, as it would be discriminatory against thee able-bodied.
That said, the regulator is supposed to have something to say consideration should be given, and while the network operators (i.e. look after the cable) might still charge, you might be able to get the supplier (who you pay your bill to) to foot the cost. UU do this fairly often I believe...
Way over the top for what will be at most 10 minutes work.
Can you not offer to do the digging and backfilling?
Ask them for a detailed estimate of the work they're charging you for.
It will almost certainly allow for installing a new bit of cable to the new meter position and a joint on the cable. The guys who turn up probably won't do it that way if they can avoid it - if poss, they'll make the end of the cable safe then feed it round to the new meter position, so no new cable and no joint. Needless to say, you do need to be 'innocently' interested in how the job is done.
You won't be able to get them to budge on the up-front payment, but you can check with the guys how they do the job and then ask for a refund on what you've paid.
I was billed £600+ but eventually got the service alteration done for about £250 or thereabouts. Having said that I was in the industry for 35 years and knew exactly how the work would be done.
Had mine mover 8 years ago, from the cloak room to an outside wall. They still come knocking to read the meter, and put a card through if we are not home! What a cheek considering the money they charged to move them!
Can standard meter boxes be fitted there after removing bricks in the outer skin?
snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net coughed up some electrons that declared:
You mean flush fit?
Like one of these?
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looking at the same issue. Obviously need to confer with the supplier and/or meter operator before buying a random box and fitting it for them to use, but the above boxes are approved by most network operators. If I go for the option of moving the supply head rather than running a submain, I'll be going for the brown version of what's in the link subject to EDF's agreement.
I'm lead to believe that meter installers don;t like fitting flush boxes themselves (disturbance to the fabric of your property) but may consider using a ready fitted box that meets their approval.
Cheers
Tim
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