Often, if you’re a priority customer and you’re having issues reading or accessing your gas meter, contacting your supplier may solve the problem. Suppliers frequently offer free gas meter relocations if there is an issue with the location of the gas meter, where either the company is at fault or the customer is vulnerable. Examples of vulnerability in customers are clients such as the elderly, or those suffering with a debilitating illness.
In other circumstances, moving a gas meter will come at a cost. We’ll be discussing whether or not a gas meter relocation can be a DIY project, and the factors and costs that come with relocating a gas meter within the home, to aid you with your budget and plan.
Can You Move a Gas Meter Yourself?
It can be pricey to move a gas meter, so you may be thinking to yourself – no worries, I’ll do it myself! However, did you know that turning your gas meter move into a DIY project is completely illegal?
Moving gas meters can be a dangerous job. Gas leaking into your surroundings can be deadly, causing symptoms such as sickness, weakness, nausea, suffocation and headaches. Gas poisoning is no joke. Gas is also highly flammable, so causing a gas leak and exposing it to an open flame such as a candle can be a very hazardous move. This is why we require the work of professionals to ensure safety in the household.
When speaking to your gas supplier about keeping the costs down, they may suggest that you dig pipe excavation sites prior to their arrival. This reduces the time and workload within the job, so would in turn lower the costs. However, this may not always be the case and is fully dependent on each individual property. Only do so with the go-ahead from your energy provider, to avoid any dangerous occurrences.
How Much Does it Cost to Relocate a Meter?
The cost of relocating a gas meter within the home can be anywhere between the range of £400-£1000, dependent on certain variables.
The cost of moving your gas meter relies on a multitude of factors. The first being, your gas supplier. Some energy suppliers have a fixed price when it comes to moving a meter, provided that the meter is moved to a different location on the same wall. If you wish for it to be moved to an entirely new location, the cost will add up.
Ease of Access
The ease of access is also a major factor which contributes to cost. The more difficult the energy meter is to access the more time it will take. If the engineer is requested to move the meter from a location that is hard to reach, and install it somewhere quite far from the origin site, this will push the price higher.
Relocation Site
The distance from the origin site to the new site is also a huge factor which weighs into costs. Usually, energy suppliers have a 90cm rule when it comes to relocating gas meters. Most suppliers will charge a fixed fee to move the meter within a 90cm distance from the original location, providing it’s on the same wall. The farther you wish your meter to be, the more expensive the fee, due to extra costs on materials, supplies, planning and carrying out the task.
Location of Your Property
Where you live may also play a part in the amount you pay. Certain areas within the UK are pricier than others, due to a higher cost of living. If you live in London, for example, you may end up forking out a higher price than someone living up north. The ease of access to your property also adds cost. If you live out of the way rather than in the city, the time and fuel costs to get to your property will add up.