Isolator switches and meter tail upgrades - hidden costs of replacing a fuseboard

Shed_Man

Hi All

Currently arranging a replacement of fuseboard at home and the electrician we are using has completed an initial inspection and has recommended we contact our electricity provider to request two jobs to be undertaken (i) fit an isolator switch (ii) upgrade meter tails.

Have contacted our provider, OVO Energy,about this and have been quoted £67 for isolator switch and £66 for meter tails so £133 all in. Ouch!!

This seems very expensive for two relative simple tasks - not sure other peoples experience are - want to go back and challenge OVO but would appreciate advice.

Thanks
R

macman

The work will be done by (or contracted by) your DNO-what region are you? Nothing to do with the supplier.
That seems very cheap for what is a two man job requiring a high level of skill.

matelodave

In what way is it a two man job and what skill does it take to pull the main fuse, screw a switch to the wall and swap a couple of cables around. It has been priced as two separate jobs whereas in reality it is a single job.


Actually it's the first time I've ever heard of an isolator being required - that's what the main fuse is for.


Is this the latest 'elf n safety directive

macman

I can only report that when I had a similar job done, they sent two men. And similarly for a meter change.
Even if it were one man, what would a private electrician charge for this (were he allowed to do it)? I doubt that it would be less than £100, plus the cost of the isolator and tails.

Robwiz

The installer has to travel to you, which takes time and money. The parts will be quite costly anyway, so it looks pretty reasonable to me.

Shed_Man

Thanks for responses. I'm based in East Mids. Out of interest called my old energy provider SSE (we switched to OVO in the summer) and they confirmed they would carry out work like this for free.

mttylad

Certainly not a 2 man job, I just had my meter changed - new tails & isolator fitted all by one person sent from the DNO and within the space of 30 minutes or so.
£133 is IMO a very good price for this, the cost of the isolator & tails will not be peanuts.

My isolator will be used when I get my consumer unit changed or need to turn off the whole house supply, the main fuse should NOT be used for this - it's dangerous to do so and AFAIK it is also illegal to do so as it is the DNO's equipment.

C_Mababejive

The price seems reasonable for maybe upto an hours work,travel,the cost of a high current isolator and some fat new copper cables.

JC_Derby

mttylad wrote: »

Certainly not a 2 man job, I just had my meter changed - new tails & isolator fitted all by one person sent from the DNO and within the space of 30 minutes or so.
£133 is IMO a very good price for this, the cost of the isolator & tails will not be peanuts.

My isolator will be used when I get my consumer unit changed or need to turn off the whole house supply, the main fuse should NOT be used for this - it's dangerous to do so and AFAIK it is also illegal to do so as it is the DNO's equipment.

Good post mttylad.


Can I just ask for clarification - wouldn't the supplier have changed the tails and installed an isolator when they changed the meter rather than getting the DNO there as well?

JC_Derby

Shed_Man wrote: »

Hi All

Currently arranging a replacement of fuseboard at home and the electrician we are using has completed an initial inspection and has recommended we contact our electricity provider to request two jobs to be undertaken (i) fit an isolator switch (ii) upgrade meter tails.

Have contacted our provider, OVO Energy,about this and have been quoted £67 for isolator switch and £66 for meter tails so £133 all in. Ouch!!

This seems very expensive for two relative simple tasks - not sure other peoples experience are - want to go back and challenge OVO but would appreciate advice.

Thanks
R

Have you asked DNO about this? The price for an isolator is reasonable imho but never heard of anyone being charged for upgrading tails (certainly at same time)

[Deleted User]

2 man job? lols. I had a compulsory meter change a few years ago due to age of old meter. They sent 1 man who didn't even leave a card with the old and new readings on and didn't even tidy up after himself.