confused with process of getting gas meter moved

fernwood1

Re moving my gas cupboard to an exterior wall, British Gas advised me to contact Scotia Gas who own the pipeworks in our area (Poole, Dorset).
I completed their Alteration of Gas Supply / Meter Position form, & they quoted £ 615.78 (incl VAT) which is valid for 60 days.
However they say that I may contact other Gas Transporters to do the work.
Within a couple of days of receiving their quote, they rang me and asked for payment. I explained that I was confused and I ended up having to mail them photos of possible positions.
I am confused as to
how Scotia Gas can provide me with a quote when I don't know what is feasible eg Surface mounted meter box / semi concealed. I have no idea where it would be best to put the cupboard and may have to remove a huge bush.
I don’t really want to pay Scotia Gas £ 615.78 up front when I don’t know exactly what I’m paying for.
The Scotia Gas form says that they are only able to re-connect supply where new meter is less than or equal to 2 m from the existing one. They say a corgi can re-connect to internal pipework.
If I am able to get someone else to re-connect the supply (which they seem to be saying) then I assume I still have to go through Scotia Gas to move the meter.
I had in mind a more compact box anyway
I am now waiting for Scotia’s response to the photos I sent them.
I e-mailed Ofgem over a week ago and have only had an acknowledgment.
I am confused and will be grateful if anyone explain how the process should work?

SwanJon

You could try one of the independent transporters.
Try looking for East Surrey Pipelines; Independent Pipelines limited, can't remember third one now; and SSE pipelines (but they half own of Scotia? Not sure how that works).
Will try to come back and edit.

woody41_2

fernwood1 wrote: »

Re moving my gas cupboard to an exterior wall, British Gas advised me to contact Scotia Gas who own the pipeworks in our area (Poole, Dorset).

I completed their Alteration of Gas Supply / Meter Position form, & they quoted £ 615.78 (incl VAT) which is valid for 60 days.
However they say that I may contact other Gas Transporters to do the work.
Within a couple of days of receiving their quote, they rang me and asked for payment. I explained that I was confused and I ended up having to mail them photos of possible positions.
I am confused as to
how Scotia Gas can provide me with a quote when I don't know what is feasible eg Surface mounted meter box / semi concealed. I have no idea where it would be best to put the cupboard and may have to remove a huge bush.
I don’t really want to pay Scotia Gas £ 615.78 up front when I don’t know exactly what I’m paying for.
The Scotia Gas form says that they are only able to re-connect supply where new meter is less than or equal to 2 m from the existing one. They say a corgi can re-connect to internal pipework.
If I am able to get someone else to re-connect the supply (which they seem to be saying) then I assume I still have to go through Scotia Gas to move the meter.
I had in mind a more compact box anyway
I am now waiting for Scotia’s response to the photos I sent them.
I e-mailed Ofgem over a week ago and have only had an acknowledgment.
I am confused and will be grateful if anyone explain how the process should work?

hi have you had a surveyor out to explain the work? you have a option of 3 different boxes,surface mounted,built in and semi concealed.
yes they will reconnect the copperwork but only up to 2m.

fernwood1

Hi Swanjon
thanks for your advice. I contacted Scottish-Southern (no reply yet) and also East Surrey pipelines. ES pipelines advise they are unable to do the work on the installation.
Ofgem got back to me and provided a list of alternative companies I could use re getting a connection but said it would be up to the individual company's discretion whether they will do the work as they may deem it too small a job (value) for them.
I have now gathered from this (that there are 2 stages!) we do need to use the gas supplier (Scotia) to move the meter. However, to re-connect, we may approach any other gas company to see if they will do this. Re re-connection, I have also contacted a local CORGI registered, who may consider doing the job.
In the meantime, Scotia responded and said they are sending round a surveyor this week.
Will keep updated with any progress!
Thanks once again.
Fernwood

fernwood1

Hi Woody
thanks for your advice. Scotia Gas are sending round a surveyor this week. (think they should have done this before they send the quote)
Will update with any progress
Fernwood1

JoJoArmani

Why not save money and leave the meter inside - or is it due to building work?

It's a lot of expense.