Moving electricity meter and gas!

jstrong · 28 Jul 2011

Hi

We are thinking of removing our integral garage wall which has both the elec & gas meters on.
The property is a 1950's house with the main elec and gas supply coming up through the garage floor.

We would want to move the meters towards the front of the house, in fact the gas meter could go outside. (at the moment it is just inside the garage.

The electric meter is about 10' into the garage and set at about 5' with consumer unit above.

The elec supply is obviously the original 1950's and wrapped in some sort of bandage looking tar stuff.

The question is, could this supply cable be utilised or would we need a whole new modern cable laid underground?

I've just laid a costly new driveway and would hate to have to start digging it up.

Any help would be grately appreciated.

big-all · 28 Jul 2011

you can look forward to being a few thousand pound lighter

riveralt · 28 Jul 2011

You will need to speak to your electrical and or gas supplier - they will inform who is responsible for the meter(s) and how to get in touch with them.
Once you speak to those responsible for the meters - Make Sure You Are Sitting Down - because they will try to get several thousand pounds out of your pocket - I have seen quotes for both of over £10K.

Taylortwocities · 28 Jul 2011

jstrong said:
We would want to move the meters towards the front of the house, in fact the gas meter could go outside. (at the moment it is just inside the garage.

.

When meters are moved the suppliers like them to be outside the property, so they can read them, at any time.

jstrong said:
could this supply cable be utilised or would we need a whole new modern cable laid underground?

I've just laid a costly new driveway and would hate to have to start digging it up. .

The energy suppliers will need to join a length of new cable/pipe on to the old. Be prepared, though, they will dictate where the join will be, it may be under your new drive.

If the gas main is 1930's they may want to run a new poly length out from the main supply in road.

PS You'll be responsible for doing the ground works, to their specs.

bernardgreen · 28 Jul 2011

For moving the gas meter contact NationalGrid ( yes it used be the electic but now it is the gas distribution service ) on 0870 903 9999

They will send you a pack of information about moving meters with an application form and a list of prices.

For electrics contact the DNO, which is not the company you pay your electricity bill to. That company will give you the name and contact details for the DNO that serves you area.

The cost to move my gas meter about a metre and half was £ 712.80 but has been reduced when the surveyor came to inspect the site.

For a completely new electric supply with me digging the trench and installing the duct was £ 3138.78 but that has come down by about £ 1300 as the connection will now be under a grass verge and will not require traffic management as originally thought.

Both would dig the trenches but at a cost.

If a new cable has to be run under the drive then consider using a mole to install the new duct or cable. It might be possible to use the old cable ( after the DNO have disconnected it ) to pull the new cable in using a strong winch if the new cable is smaller diameter than the old one and the run is a straight line.

jstrong · 29 Jul 2011

Bernard and all
Thanks very much for your replies. Just about to contact the relevent parties

jstrong · 29 Jul 2011

Just spoken to the umpteenth department regarding repositioning the electric meter.

They say they can't use the existing cable and will have to lay a new cable which will no doubt mean digging up my new drive!!

Is there any way around this?

The meter is being moved to nearer the incoming supply so I can't see why they can't use the existing cable!

Quote so far without a visit is £1500 and that doesn't include any groundwork

Help!!

aptsys · 29 Jul 2011

jstrong said:
The meter is being moved to nearer the incoming supply so I can't see why they can't use the existing cable!

They won't move and re-terminate lead cable as it is past it's best and liable to damage if moved, so they will be laying new concentric cable.

jstrong · 29 Jul 2011

I see.

Is there any way to avoid the drive being excavated i.e. some sort of mole machine?

Alarm · 29 Jul 2011

jstrong said:
I see.

Is there any way to avoid the drive being excavated i.e. some sort of mole machine?

You should read the replies more carefully.

If a new cable has to be run under the drive then consider using a mole to install the new duct or cable. It might be possible to use the old cable ( after the DNO have disconnected it ) to pull the new cable in using a strong winch if the new cable is smaller diameter than the old one and the run is a straight line.

Say thanks to Bernard pls

ban-all-sheds · 29 Jul 2011

Was the planned removal of the wall known about before the new drive was expensively laid?

jstrong · 30 Jul 2011

No, typical!

Might shelve the idea as I can see i'm going to get fleeced by the utility companies.

Wontdothatagain · 30 Jul 2011

Does the new drive cover the full width of the property?

Being as you are going to have a new cable, it does not have to follow the route of the existing cable. The joint will probable be made at the main cable in the street and the old cable cut close to the street and capped off.

They will allow you to dig the trench thus cutting down on the cost. You will be responsible for fitting the new box if you decide to have it outside

JonB · 30 Jul 2011

Last year I had a new mains cable laid as we were sharing a mains with next door + no earth.
They cut & dug a hole in the pavement & an 18" square hole where the cable came into the house. The block paved drive wasn't touched as they drilled a hole about 14 mtrs. under the drive & fed the cable through.
As I complained about having no earth Total cost NIL.
JonB

Steve · 30 Jul 2011

Here's an idea.

Lay the new cable under your front lawn etc, to a meter box elsewhere on the property, then run an armoured cable internally to the location of the consumer unit.

Similar with the gas.

The old gas and electric lines could simply be abandoned under the drive, though both would need to be disconnected at the supply end.

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Moving electricity meter and gas!

Alarm

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