Help with Gas Connection to 2nd floor flat

Csatina

Hi everyone 👋

I need some advice. We received the quote from SGN to run to the bottom of the block, where flats are. They would fit a Unibox and from there I will have to find someone to run it up to the 2nd floor. Can anyone with experience give me an advice regarding the cost and procedures please?

Browntoa

Freeholder/leaseholder/ management company permission in place for running pipework ?

Many flats don't allow gas installed due to the inherent risk of leaks

Csatina

Yes, I know I have to ask permission from the management company. I’m hoping that’s not gonna be a problem as there are other block of flats around who already installed gas.
Any idea about related costs?

Csatina

Also, I know I have to get permission from the management company, but do I have to ask permission from other people’s in the block?

Owain_Moneysaver

If the meter is in the Unibox then any Gas Safe registered person (with meters and pipework ticket) will run the pipe up to your flat.

However I'd suggest getting SGN to quote to 2nd floor flat - it will add about £600 on for scaffolding, plus the per meter pipe charge, but will be done in steel gas barrel pipe and you will get an internal meter, so people in other flats can't tap in and steal your gas.

In Scotland you probably don't have a freeholder; the managing agent/factor works for you so you don't need their permission, and your deeds should allow you to run pipes up the outside of someone else's flat but SGN would ask you to post a notice on the close door giving 28 days notice to cover themselves.

In any event if the Unibox is in the communal garden you/they'd still need permission to put it there, unless (as is probable) it's covered by the deeds.

matelodave

It's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question.

Without having any idea of the relative locations of the Unibox and entry point into the flat, terrain and whether scaffolding will be required it's impossible to answer. Even which part of the country you live in will have a bearing on the cost if you assume that a gas fitter in Kensington might charge a bit more than a bloke in S!!!!horpe

One assumes that if you are having gas appliances of some sort then the installer of those will be able to give you a quotation for the work.

Csatina

Thanks everyone for the reply. I will ask SGN again to run the pipe up to the second floor. However they originally said they don’t do that anymore.
Anyway... I’ll return in a couple of weeks time with some update! Thanks again!

Gerry1

Don't forget to maximise the savings by switching to a gas tumble dryer !

Csatina

I actually thought you joking.... So I Googled it up and it’s an existing thing. Who would’ve though...

Gerry1

A gas tumble dryer really is a no brainer IMHO. I've never had an electric one; the last gas one lasted 31 years, so it paid for itself several times over.

For some strange reason I thought that domestic versions were no longer made (probably because they aren't sold in high street stores) but when the main bearing eventually failed and it sounded like a pneumatic drill I searched online and was delighted to find the current model has bells and whistles such as moisture sensing and auto reverse. It's also very quiet.

An electric tumble dryer makes as much sense as an electric boiler.

Owain_Moneysaver

Every time you ask SGN for a quote or go outside the period for which the quote is valid for, it will go up.

There are other businesses who can connect you to the gas mains.