Moving a gas meter

[Estimator]

Went to look at a job today, kitchen refurbishment in a club.
They need the internal gas meter moving a couple of metres along a wall to fit in some more kitchen gear.
I said 'I don't think we can touch that - it's gas board property, I don't want to go to jail!'
They said ' another builder came earlier, he said his plumber could do it'
I know there are some gas specialists on this forum, could you tell me what is the procedure?
Do I get a quote from the gas transporter (transco?) is there for instance a web site where I put in the post code to find who covers that area, or do I ring up the gas supplier on the gas bill ?
Can an approved installer do it and get it checked by others?
I've been looking on the internet - I found the OFGEM site but got confused, what do they do?
What's the likely cost/ waiting time, in your experience?
Thanks for any assistance.

 

[estwig]

We have moved a couple of gas meters, only Transco can do it, it's their gas pipe, they have a monopoly. You either pay what they want, or don't have the work done, was about £700.00 both times.

 

[Deleted member 9840]

We have moved a couple of gas meters, only Transco can do it, it's their gas pipe, they have a monopoly. You either pay what they want, or don't have the work done, was about £700.00 both times.

I second this, anything before the meter DO NOT TOUCH, or else!!

Steve

 

[Pilfo]

A Gas Safe (Corgi) registered engineer (not a plumber) can change/swap a meter, but cannot move it.

As previously stated, it's Transco's property and only they can re-site it.

Pilfo

 

[Tw Installations]

As above

Its transco's Property so dont touch it,

Could you not build units around it? people do it all the time

Also, i would check out the times for getting the job done as transo can take months to do the job.

If its a public place then sell it to them that if this "other gas guy" does the work then its their responsibilty if anything goes wrong.


Tommy

 

[G. Lasagne]

Yeah afraid it's only transco, Gas safe engineer's can remove a meter and then put it back in the same place, whilst soldering etc, as long as they have MET1 as a qualification.

 

[G. Lasagne]

Yeah afraid it's only transco, Gas safe engineer's can remove a meter and then put it back in the same place, whilst soldering etc, as long as they have MET1 as a qualification.
the cost of intstalling a meter if i remeber correctly is £170 (might be wrong) but tha's in the most accessible point for them(easiest in other words), but as far as moving it in to a location specified by you then Estwig's estimate is probably more accurate.
I would think boxing it in is your only option, unless your putting in a £15,000 kitchen.
If you do box it in make sure it is accessible (can be read) and the ECV handle is accessible (can be turned off in an emergency).

 

[Estimator]

As above

Its transco's Property so dont touch it,

Could you not build units around it? people do it all the time

Also, i would check out the times for getting the job done as transo can take months to do the job.

If its a public place then sell it to them that if this "other gas guy" does the work then its their responsibilty if anything goes wrong.


Tommy

Yes, I would like to kick the responsibility back to the client, though as a reputable builder I promised him i'd look into the cost and time scale for him if he wanted it doing by Transco. Then he could pay direct.
It's just that they have had this cowboy round earlier who didn't know his arse from his elbow, said he could do it, no problem , you know the sort who give the building trade a bad name trouble is they always end up undercutting you on price.

 

[G. Lasagne]

Your looking at as long as 6 weeks to get the meter moved (im not joking), can be quicker but be prepared for about 6 weeks.

 

[Estimator]

I would think boxing it in is your only option

Sorry, I didn't make clear - the wall it is on at the moment is getting demolished, so it will have to be moved to the opposite wall.
Looks like we would have to protect it with a plywood box or something and carry on working round it until Transco finally turn up to shift it permanently. Would they be OK with that?

 

[estwig]

Sorry, I didn't make clear - the wall it is on at the moment is getting demolished, so it will have to be moved to the opposite wall.
Looks like we would have to protect it with a plywood box or something and carry on working round it until Transco finally turn up to shift it permanently. Would they be OK with that?

If you ask 'em they will probably moan like a bunch of old women, then say no. Just get on with it, we find giving the Labrodor a sledge hammer works well around gas meters!!