Damaged/covered water meter help

Anadin

Hi All, 
Me and my partner have bought our first house in December last year (2019) we had the driveway extended over the grass, however the "company" that did the drive did not do what we had asked them for (resin bond) and instead done tar and chip (did not know until recently). They did it in one day while I was at work and they simply sent photos of when it was done,  I asked over the phone why the top layer was loose and was told that's normal. Appart from that the driveway was ok, the cars aren't sinking into it so no big deal. Nearly a year later I realise I had been had and my naivety taken advantage of. Something ill have to sort out later. (What forum do I post on for driveway questions, I want to actually change the tar and chip to resin bound)

Our water meter was due to be read this week for the first time since moving in and the company that extended the drive had put two tiles with a two inch gap between them on the water meter hole to lift it and stop the hard substrate/concrete stuff from going down there, or cover up the bodge job.

At any rate, Essex and suffolk water man said to chisel it out over the weekend and let him know when the tiles have been removed.
I have removed said tiles and found that there is yet more concrete type mix in the bottom of the hole and it covers the water meter entirely.

1) what would the likely cost be for us to get this remedied (presume chisel out with wreckless abandon and replace)
2) do I chisel it out gently to try and rescue the water meter  time team style, even then the window would likely be scratched.
3) ignore it and hope that essex and suffolk water don't charge us too much. 
FYI there is most likely no comeback for the driveway company as we paid cash and got a handwritten invoice and no mention of a warranty. 

molerat

Your best bet is to try and clear it carefully yourself as the water co will simply dig it up, replace it and send you a juicy bill.