Moving gas meter/national grid rip-off merchants

jasperloco

My gas meter is currently inside the property in an unsightly box made of old floorboards high in my kitchen. The gas main runs up the wall approx 2 meters and then connects with the meter.

I want to relocate the meter to the outside - basically cutting into the gas main 1 metres earlier and my energy supplier said contact National Grid. I could get away with the £60 connection charge. However, they want to charge me £580 including the £520 gas pipe alteration of 0-2m, the same cost as if I wanted the gas main extended by 2m. A builder who's doing some other work for me reckons it's a max of 45mins work, so I'm definately not paying for that.

National Grid suggested the following as a source of alternative installers:
http://www.lloydsregister.co.uk/scheme_search.php?searchForm=1&mode=girs&scheme[]=1

However, a lot of them seem like large contractors. Anyone done this before outside of NG?

Jasper

lonewolfe

jasperloco wrote: »

My gas meter is currently inside the property in an unsightly box made of old floorboards high in my kitchen. The gas main runs up the wall approx 2 meters and then connects with the meter.

I want to relocate the meter to the outside - basically cutting into the gas main 1 metres earlier and my energy supplier said contact National Grid. I could get away with the £60 connection charge. However, they want to charge me £580 including the £520 gas pipe alteration of 0-2m, the same cost as if I wanted the gas main extended by 2m. A builder who's doing some other work for me reckons it's a max of 45mins work, so I'm definately not paying for that.

National Grid suggested the following as a source of alternative installers:
http://www.lloydsregister.co.uk/scheme_search.php?searchForm=1&mode=girs&scheme[]=1

However, a lot of them seem like large contractors. Anyone done this before outside of NG?

Jasper

Hi Jasper,

I'm in a similar situation as yourself regarding the gas meter. How did you get on? did you get a reasonable quote? did you get the work done?

Kind regards..

Will

Energyman_2

jasperloco wrote: »

My gas meter is currently inside the property in an unsightly box made of old floorboards high in my kitchen. The gas main runs up the wall approx 2 meters and then connects with the meter.

I want to relocate the meter to the outside - basically cutting into the gas main 1 metres earlier and my energy supplier said contact National Grid. I could get away with the £60 connection charge. However, they want to charge me £580 including the £520 gas pipe alteration of 0-2m, the same cost as if I wanted the gas main extended by 2m. A builder who's doing some other work for me reckons it's a max of 45mins work, so I'm definately not paying for that.

National Grid suggested the following as a source of alternative installers:
http://www.lloydsregister.co.uk/scheme_search.php?searchForm=1&mode=girs&scheme[]=1


However, a lot of them seem like large contractors. Anyone done this before outside of NG?

Jasper

I've obtained quotes in the past for supply to new housing estates, through Independent Gas Transporters - but I doubt they would be interested in a one off, single domestic meter move.

The rates quoted are in the same ballpark as the last similar job I done. (through United Utilities / Northern Gas Network)

It is still, in effect a monopoly. You don't have a lot of choice if you want the work doing.

lemontart

moving a mtr is different to installing a totally new supply so it is unlikely an igt would touch it.