moving electricity metre

bindiboo

hi

as part of our current home improvement plans, we are thinking of converting the understairs cupboard into a wc cloak. In order to do this we need the metre re-siting from inside the cupboard to the exterior wall, so it would actual move within 2ft of its current location.

Rang up British Gas (elec suppliers) who have told be to get in touch with Central Networks. CN have sent out a info pack with price list. It looks like it will cost about £500+ just to move it not including the cost of our own electrician who will be needed at the same time of the move to connect the fuse box etc.

Can anyone tell if this sounds right?

I cant believe that its gonna cost so much?

Looks like we are gonna have to scrap our plans.

andi2

cost me almost £300 to have the gas meter moved about a foot (from the inside of the wall to the outside. That was last December :>((


I think they charge so much because they are the only ones that can move the meters!

Flamin' rip off!

ben500

bindiboo wrote:

hi

as part of our current home improvement plans, we are thinking of converting the understairs cupboard into a wc cloak. In order to do this we need the metre re-siting from inside the cupboard to the exterior wall, so it would actual move within 2ft of its current location.

Rang up British Gas (elec suppliers) who have told be to get in touch with Central Networks. CN have sent out a info pack with price list. It looks like it will cost about £500+ just to move it not including the cost of our own electrician who will be needed at the same time of the move to connect the fuse box etc.

Can anyone tell if this sounds right?

I cant believe that its gonna cost so much?

Looks like we are gonna have to scrap our plans.

I'm afraid on this one the industry have you in a vice, you cannot use any other service.

YorkshireBoy

bindiboo wrote:

Looks like we are gonna have to scrap our plans.

You're going to abandon your plans to...

a) improve the value of your property?
b) improve it's appeal when you come to sell it?
c) improve the facilities you could enjoy yourselves?

All for the sake of £500?

ben500

Unfortunately for me I am one of those people that would slit my own throat to spite my nose as has been to my cost in the past. It may be that the op has reasons not mentioned for scrapping the idea they could be vast other unforseen costs ivolved in a simple re-positioning of the meter, once removed the meter may necesitate re-decor of the area involving further expense and re-decor may be required in the new host area, hidden problems could also be revealed, or new problems created which may have been budgeted for but not withstanding such a high re-location fee.

YorkshireBoy

ben500 wrote:

Unfortunately for me I am one of those people that would slit my own throat to spite my nose as has been to my cost in the past.

Me too - in the dim and distant past.;) However, I now adopt more of a "cost/benefit" analysis, ie everything has a price - so is it worth it?

ben500 wrote:

It may be that the op has reasons not mentioned for scrapping the idea they could be vast other unforseen costs ivolved in a simple re-positioning of the meter, once removed the meter may necesitate re-decor of the area involving further expense and re-decor may be required in the new host area, hidden problems could also be revealed, or new problems created which may have been budgeted for but not withstanding such a high re-location fee.

I read the reason for scrapping the idea as purely the £500 fee. All the other re-instatement costs would still be payable - even if the meter could be moved for free.

On a general note, I believe most people now place a master bedroom en-suite and a downstairs cloakroom towards the top of their wish-list. Even if they don't, the downstairs cloaks has obvious added value and could swing it for any prospective purchaser when comparing like-for-like properties. Therefore, I believe (an extra) £500 is a small price to pay.

On a personal note, whilst we don't have master en-suite, we do have a downstairs cloakroom and I think they're fantastic - especially if you have a young family.

flang

My job involves maintaining highway lighting.
These lights are connected onto overhead or underground supplies (like our home are)
unfortunately because our homes are connected to these overhead or underground cables the supply that cannot just be switched off (like street lights). This means that the cable that goes into your meter is constantly LIVE and cannot be switched off, therefore if a meter/main fuse holder is being replaced or moved an electrical jointer will be required (and they charge loads!)
At my work SSE (Scottish and southern electric) who own all statutory supply cables (well in the South west) charge approx £300 just to disconnect and reconnect a replacement of a street light or feeder post! its an expensive job!
Because your fuse board is fed using mains cable, Household hold electricians are NOT allowed to touch it without doing a special G39 course (i think)
Hope this helps

bindiboo

YorkshireBoy wrote:

You're going to abandon your plans to...

a) improve the value of your property?
b) improve it's appeal when you come to sell it?
c) improve the facilities you could enjoy yourselves?

All for the sake of £500?

er hello

that is on top of the 11,000 we are already spending. 500 is a lot for a little!!

YorkshireBoy

bindiboo wrote:

er hello

that is on top of the 11,000 we are already spending. 500 is a lot for a little!!

Hello back!

Your first post didn't mention that your total spend was £11K - just that you had some "improvement plans".

I know it goes against the grain (for a MSE) to spend £500 on what is perceived to be a small job. But you have to put it into perspective, and include it within your large scheme. You *will* benefit from the additional cloakroom (both from it's use and the added value to your property) and therefore cannot lose - see my second post regarding "cutting your nose off".

Good luck with the project.

LittleJo

Hi,
Be aware of cutting nose off to spite face.
which does not stop them being greedy monopolists!!!
jo