Energy Meter casings/boxes

Tired07

Hi all

Hoping someone can offer a bit of experience or advice regarding an issue that's been annoying me for years. 

We've been in our property for almost 20 years and both external meter boxes have been in a poor state for most of that time. The boxes are sunk into the external walls and the meters sit on top of the casing behind the box doors. Over the last few years the hinges on both boxes have disintegrated, to the point where I can only keep the doors on with gaffer tape, but every time we get some rough weather the doors fall/blow off and water gets into them. We've been warned that this represents a hazard, particularly in relation to the electricity meter. They are also an eyesore.

As the door hinges are broken, we need to replace the entire casings. To do that, we'd need to temporarily remove the meters themselves. This has put me in a catch-22 situation. My current energy supplier say it's my responsibility to replace the boxes, but I can't find a tradesman to do it because they aren't allowed to disconnect the meters. I've tried to arrange for the local network providers to come out to disconnect the meters whilst a tradesman replaces the boxes, but trying to coordinate a tradesman to be on site at the same time as two separate network providers (gas and electricity) is virtually impossible.

A few years ago a previous supplier did say they could do the entire job, but wanted £1k per box, which I just don't have. My current supplier don't even offer this.

Has anyone experienced anything similar that can offer any advice? It feels like it's one of those things that too many separate privatised contractors are involved with and no one organisation can provide the solution. 

Thanks

elsien

Would you be able to fit an overbox instead and then you wouldn’t have to remove the whole thing, just the door?

FreeBear

Pretty sure you can get replacement doors (with a frame) that would slot into the front of the old box. A visit to a local electrical wholesaler should turn up something.

GrahamLM52

You can sometimes replace the box and door without disturbing the back plate or meters.

https://www.repairmymeterbox.com/product-category/repair-kits-parts/

Robin9

METER BOX FIX [ Really easy repair (sparkylife) - YouTube

imeach

As above, an overbox is probably the easiest and cheapest solution