Relocation of gas and electric meter, HELP!!!

jaba_3

I am starting a loft conversion in my flat in 1 month and I need to relocate the gas and electric meter (around 3 metres) . My supplier is EDF and they said they need 6-8 weeks to change the gas meter (min. 275 pounds) and 16 weeks for changing the electric meter (min 700 pounds). This is mad!!!! They said that they are Lloyds Registed companies that could do the job but I spent a good hour ringing registered companies and none of them would do these jobs. Please could any of you assist me????

stimpo

gas quote looks cheap

jaba_3

they said min 275 but for my description they said would go to around 500. My main concern is the electric meter, 16 weeks to do the job and 700 pounds!!!

Terrylw1

Hi,

£700 doesn't sound unreasonable to me. Most used to charge £400 a few years ago but it's now more in the region of £400-£800.

You have to remember that they also have to move cabling with this as well as the meter, test & connect and all the rest.

Remember that EDF own the equipment so you cannot approach any other company to move the elec meter as it's not yours. Moving it is classed as tampering which is illegal and EDF will take legal action.

Thats half the problem though, there is little or no competition so you don't have much room to negogiate so customers end up paying flat fees regardless of the work.

I would suggest that if you kick off a bit, you may get it done quicker. LDNO's know they have no competition so they tend to take the mick a bit and make the customer wait (from my own experience in the sector) and they can often move things forward a bit if needed.

Just don't be tempted to do what builders do and slice the cable and report it as dangerous. These companies have started legal proceedings for that stuff now.

Good luck

jaba_3

Thanks Terrylw1!!

I was just about send you an email because I saw you answering similar questions to the one that i've posted and you replay my question!!!! It's great to have people like you in this forum. Anyway, I thought it was expensive considering that for that money you nearly can do the whole electric circuit of the flat!!! So this means that I have to go with EDF conditions??!!!Thanks

jaba_3

You maybe call me crazy...Could the meter be moved by me or the builder if the only thing that I do is move the piece of timber without disconnecting cables or anything like that? I said that because I want to move it closer to the entrance of the flat and therefore there would be plenty of cable...

Terrylw1

Hi Jaba,

Sadly, even though they say it's now a competitive market, it's not for distributors.

The equipment is split into 2 groups:

- The meter (and any isolator switch or timeswitch) is all owned by the Meter Operator (split into 2 groups, which is usualy irrelevant to the customer). The Meter Operator is usually part of the same utility group as the Distributor.

- The supply cabling (anything coming into the house prior to the meter) and underground/overground cabling/poles etc...is all owned by the appointed Distributor. The Distributor is appointed at the time the supply is put it (not actually when a premise is built as you can nominate a Distributor when a new supply cable is jointed if a supply has been removed in the past, if that makes sense?) and can be assigned by whoever is doing the build.

Most commonly a builder will just go with the local Distributor, known as the LDNO (Local Distribution Network Operator). LDNO's are the original distributors prior to industry de-regulation e.g. Midlands Electricity are now part of Eon but used to be an electricity board.

However, what people don't seem to realise is that when you as for a supply to be put in now, you can nominate any LDNO regardless of where they are based and they will subcontract on your behalf to the correct local LDNO. You can even now use LNO's which are just new distributors in this country. This whole process was revamped in 2006 to allow customers to make a chose.

However, it does mean that the first customer or builder gets to make the choice.

So, in your case if you already have a supply (which you must have to have a meter) you would be saddled with EDF.

You also need to check that EDF's distribution people will actually move the meter itself. Some meters are considered complex and not all distribution engineers are able to reconnect & test them. So, make sure you check this with them before they come out or they will just remove the meter, resite the cabling and drop the meter next to it without attaching it. If it is complex, they will also you to contact your Supplier (who bills you) who can arrange for the Meter Operator to send out a qualified engineer to just attach the meter (and that part should be free)

If you have a standard 1 rate meter, it will be easy for them to attach it. I would ask though as I have dealt with some poor people who have ended up with no power due to not knowing this.

I think you can change LDSO/LNO but I'm not sure on that process and it would take time. After doing that, you may end up paying the same anyway so it may not be worth all the hassle as it's not a commonplace practice.

Sorry if that's a lot, just thought it might help to explain how the distribution market works.

Ask away if you have any questions, there are others on here who can also help.

All the best