Moving Gas Meter. Alternatives

Dodgysailor

Hi,

My gas meter is under the stairs where we are a planning to build a small bathroom. The gas meter is kind of in the way of the toilet bowl
I had three SGN Gas engineers coming over the last 4 months and everyone tells me a different story about the possibilities. They a very keen to move it outside at an expensive cost but not so much within 1-2 metres from the current position. They alleged regulations to avoid moving it inside the house. One did not see any problems to move it close from its original position just to receive a call a few days later from SGN telling me that he was wrong. I have been told that they wont move it within inside the house as they do not make money out of it.
Other sources tell me that any approved gas engineer can move the meter or install a smart meter and put it in a different position.
It is all really confusing. I would like to avoid going with SGN because I think they are a !!!!! and would prefer to go with any alternative solution.
Any one has got any advice?
Thanks!

footyguy

Dodgysailor wrote: »

Hi,

My gas meter is under the stairs where we are a planning to build a small bathroom. The gas meter is kind of in the way of the toilet bowl
I had three SGN Gas engineers coming over the last 4 months and everyone tells me a different story about the possibilities. They a very keen to move it outside at an expensive cost but not so much within 1-2 metres from the current position. They alleged regulations to avoid moving it inside the house. One did not see any problems to move it close from its original position just to receive a call a few days later from SGN telling me that he was wrong. I have been told that they wont move it within inside the house as they do not make money out of it.
Other sources tell me that any approved gas engineer can move the meter or install a smart meter and put it in a different position.
It is all really confusing. I would like to avoid going with SGN because I think they are a !!!!! and would prefer to go with any alternative solution.
Any one has got any advice?
Thanks!

The gas meter must be fitted to an outside wall, preferably externally but internal fitment is also permitted.

Unless you are planning to move the meter only a very short distance then you will need to ask National Grid (or an appropriate IGT) to move it for you.

Not sure why SGN are causing you problems (assuming they are your IGT). Their website even has a quick quote facility
https://www.sgn.co.uk/Our-Services/SGN-Connections-Charges/
(Choose service alterations)

An indicative price for moving the meter, including changes to the feed pipe to the meter and pipes from your meter to existing appliances (but excluding any excavation work) for Scotland is £403 +VAT

SwanJon

Footyguy - National Grid sold off some of the local distribution zones a few years ago. (Scotland/Southern Gas Networks (SGN), Wales & West Utilities, and Northern Gas Networks). As these are all parts of the old network they are not treated as IGTs by the industry.

DodgySailor - have you asked your supplier what they can do? Sadly if the incoming pipe needs moved you will probably need SGN to be involved in some capacity,

Dodgysailor

Hi i do not want to move the inlet pipe just the meter which is one of the old cumbersome ones. The plan was to move it just about a meter. Apparently the problem is that the isolation valve will remain in the toilet room while the gas meter will be possitioned in the store room. A small plasterboard wall will separate the toilet bowl from the store room. SGN guy tells me that is not allowed. Another one did not see an issue.
I would be keen to know who can legaly do this job. Is it just SGN? Can my gas supplier install the smart gas meter?

SwanJon

I think the owner of the meter (or their contractors) can make a small move - this will often be National Grid Metering, but could be any one of a number of others (it may say on the meter - e.g. 'Property of OnStream'). Effectively though, these are the relationships you pay your supplier to manage so I'd start with them.

However, moving it through a wall, and having the handle in a different room to the meter does sound like it will be a show stopper for a cheap fix.

molerat

Would there be a problem with 2 cut offs, one in the old location and one by the meter ?