British Gas refuse to move appalling meter

User_181022

I bought my home this year in April, it requires full renovation so please don't judge the state. With the meter in the way as well I can't do much until it's moved. The previous owner I believe was very elderly, which could explain how they got away with installing the gas meter like this in the first place. As you can see from the picture before, it is a large eyesore directly beneath the bay window right in the centre of the wall in the living room. There are no words for how atrocious this looks and how anyone could take advantage of someone like this. That entire wall is completely useless and ugly I can't even arrange the room the way I want because it's in the way. 

I contacted British Gas (I know, I got lucky and I was determined) and I didn't even mention the state of the job or how upset I was about the state of it, all I asked is to move the gas meter outside. 1) Less than 90cm away 2) On the same wall. Completely within reason. This was the response two weeks later. No opportunity to explain or discuss, just shot down immediately.

I really don't think I should have to pay hundreds of pounds to have this mess in my LIVING ROOM of all places to be cleaned up. It's a disgrace it was installed like this in the first place.

As there is basically no information online I can find to help me in this situation, I was hoping that someone on here might know what to do next? Or at least point me in the direction of someone who does? Thank you

daveyjp

BG have responded on what needs to be done.  It will need to be paid for as even though the current location is far from ideal, its safe.

As the property requires full renovation this should be part of the costs you knew would be incurred and it will be a small percentage of the overall cost of renovation.

nofoollikeold

1. As BG have said, it is not within their purview to move meters.  This is done by Cadent.
2. You will need to approach Cadent and get a quotation from them to move the meter.  Likely to be hundreds of pounds, could be more.  They have a monopoly on this work so can charge what they like.  
3. No one knows why it was installed there in the first place.  May even have been at the request of the previous owners. However it is there, presumably was there when you bought the property, and you are going to have to pay to have it moved.

Gavin83

Presumably it was installed like this when you viewed the house?

I don't really see why you feel it should be moved for free. You (presumably) knew it was there, it works and it's safe. Your main complaint seems to be that it's in the way and ugly. That might be true but it doesn't make it a problem for British Gas. If you want it moved you'll need to pay. Unfortunately this can be quite expensive, although given it's just on the other side of the wall hopefully it'll be reasonable.

daveyjp

Very strange to get angry with people offering advice you have requested.  Aim your anger at BG if you need to vent, they will still say no.

My parents had meters moved outside a few years ago so I have first hand experience. 

 The builder did all the prep work in terms of outside box and supply pipe from box to boiler, but the new meter had to be installed by the local gas network engineers as they has to isolate the mains gas.

That gas meter is at least 40 years old.  We don't know what the regulations were for gas meters installation then and it may well have had a window seat as some point.

Leon_W

I don't think any supplier will move a meter to a different wall for free.  Technically, I suppose, it is the same wall if you're moving it outside, but best of luck with that argument.

Inevitably you'll have to call Cadent and see what they say.

shiraz99

moneysavingexpertaccount12 said:

daveyjp said:

BG have responded on what needs to be done.  It will need to be paid for as even though the current location is far from ideal, its safe.

As the property requires full renovation this should be part of the costs you knew would be incurred and it will be a small percentage of the overall cost of renovation.

" The cost to move a gas meter ranges from £400 - £1,000 for materials and £250 - £350 per day."

I am entitled to have it moved as its within their specifications of what entitles you to a free move. It should have never been installed that way in the first place its an absolute abomination to the room. I think that there must be something that can be done by British Gas as this was their mess why should I have to pay to have it moved? It shouldn't even be there in the first place.

If you don't have anything actually helpful to say please just skip this forum and move onto the next one thanks.

Just because the answers given don't agree with your POV doesn't mean they are wrong and nor does it require a response like that. I doubt you're going to get any further help if you speak to others that way.

Gavin83

moneysavingexpertaccount12 said:

daveyjp said:

BG have responded on what needs to be done.  It will need to be paid for as even though the current location is far from ideal, its safe.

As the property requires full renovation this should be part of the costs you knew would be incurred and it will be a small percentage of the overall cost of renovation.

If you don't have anything actually helpful to say please just skip this forum and move onto the next one thanks.

The advice daveyjp gave was very helpful. He told you that you don't have a right to have this moved for free. You don't. Just because it's not what you want to hear it doesn't make it unhelpful. Don't be so rude to people when you're asking for advice.

moneysavingexpertaccount12 said:

daveyjp said:

BG have responded on what needs to be done.  It will need to be paid for as even though the current location is far from ideal, its safe.

As the property requires full renovation this should be part of the costs you knew would be incurred and it will be a small percentage of the overall cost of renovation.

I am entitled to have it moved as its within their specifications of what entitles you to a free move.

What specification of theirs do you believe entitles you to a free move?

millie

We were quoted £700 by Transco to move our meter to the other side of the same wall so probably about 12 inches. That was about 7 years ago. 

Section62

moneysavingexpertaccount12 said:

There are no words for how atrocious this looks and how anyone could take advantage of someone like this.

...

I really don't think I should have to pay hundreds of pounds to have this mess in my LIVING ROOM of all places to be cleaned up. It's a disgrace it was installed like this in the first place.

The meter is an imperial one .  I'd say it has been there a very long time... back in the days when people wouldn't have cared so much about having a meter in the living room... just grateful to have warmth without open fires to constantly maintain.

Make sure BG (and any new supplier you switch to) know that the meter is an imperial one when you submit your readings.

Gavin83

There's also the added complication regarding the pipe that supplies your house. Unless you're happy to have a section of pipe sticking out the floor and running through the wall they'll need to take some of that floor up too. Hopefully it's a suspended floor as that'll make it a lot easier.