Cost of Moving Gas Meter

How Much to Move a Gas Meter?

Moving a gas meter is a complex process that should not be undertaken lightly.

Because of the nature of the work, you will need to contact your gas supplier or the local gas distributor depending on the proposed relocation site to complete the work for you, and, there is a chance that they may refuse to do the work altogether if an adequate reason is not given.

Customers who are on their energy suppliers’ priority services register, such as those that are disabled, elderly or living with a life-long illness may be able to have their gas meter moved for free. However, under other circumstances you can expect to incur a cost. This will typically range from £85 to £1,500 depending on if the meter is only required to be moved a short distance (under 90cm), or if the job requires additional work, such as gas pipeline adjusting.

From beginning to end, the process can take between 4 – 8 weeks to complete.

Moving Gas Meter Prices

Below is a table illustrating the average cost of moving a gas meter for non-priority list customers

Priority-list customers may be entitled to have their gas meter moved free of charge, or for a dramatically reduced fee.

If you think this applies to you, you should contact your energy supplier for further information.

Additional Gas Meter Relocation Costs

Gas meters may be positioned inside or outside of the home, usually in a kitchen or hallway, or in an enclosed meter box, so repositioning the meter could bring a number of jobs that require attending as a result.

Plastering

Moving your gas meter will likely result in some damage to the existing plasterwork of your home (if the meter is located indoors) that may need rectifying.

Most plasterers are able to complete small patch work jobs in around 1 – 3 hours from start to finish, with a cost of about £50 - £100 for labour and materials.

Redecorating

Redecorating may be a necessity depending on the original position of your gas meter and the state that the original site has been left in.

Professional decorators charge around £150 – £200 a day, with work varying from painting to hanging wallpaper.

To get the most for your money, consider if any other areas in your home also need redecorating, as painters usually require two visits to apply ample paint.

Landscaping

For meter relocations that require extensive excavation to relocate connecting pipes, some level of landscaping may be required to get your home back in order.

New turf can help disguise a disrupted landscape, with costs as low as £3 per metre square.

Replace Existing Driveway

If extensive work has to be carried out to lay new pipelines into your property for your relocated gas meter, you may find that your driveway will be dug-up in the process.

If this is the case, whilst energy suppliers will do their best to cause minimum disruption and damage, it may be worth considering replacing the driveway when the work is complete.

Tarmac driveways usually cost, on average, around £700 if it is an overlay job or up to £2,000 for a completely new driveway.

A new block paving driveway will generally cost a little more, but, could be considered more aesthetically pleasing, with costs starting at around £1,800.

Labour Cost to Move Gas Meter

Labour costs and time-frames will be affected by numerous factors, ranging from your energy supplier to the complexity of the work involved.

Even after your request has been submitted, you can expect the process to take a minimum of four weeks from submission to completion, which will include planning, site visitation and any alterations to the existing system needed.

Your energy supplier or local distribution company will put you in contact with an appointed gas engineer, who will be able to advise further regarding specific timings and will usually work at a rate of £200 - £350 a day.

In terms of relocating the actual meter, this can take as little as a day for a straight-forward relocation, with disruption to your service being kept to a minimum.

What is a Gas Meter?

A gas meter is a specialist piece of equipment used to regulate and measure how much gas a property uses for fuel. They are owned by the local gas distributor, along with the connecting supply lines, rather than the property owner.

The first gas meters were invented in 1817 (with the first prepayment gas meter being invented in the 1870s). Although they have significantly changed over the years. Gas meters are now installed and regular used within both residential and commercial properties.

The majority of homes utilise either gas or electric for their means of fuel. However, there are some instances where these utilities aren't practical, for example, some very rural properties instead use solar power.

As people are becoming more eco-conscious, many homeowners are moving away from traditional fuel sources such as oil and gas. Instead, they are moving towards more modern, greener solutions include ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps.

What Does Moving a Gas Meter Involve?

The first step in the relocation of a gas meter is to contact your energy supplier and discuss your needs with them.

They will require as much information as possible regarding the potential move, as this will help ensure what is being requested is possible and within gas safety guidelines. Some of the information they will require includes:

• Where your meter is currently located
• Where you want to move the meter to
• What type of gas meter you currently own
• Why you want it repositioned
• The type of connector currently in use

Once these questions have been answered, your gas supplier will be in a position to advise whether relocating the meter is acheivable or if you need to contact your local gas transporter.

If you only need your meter moved a short distance, such as under 90cm along the current wall, this is usually relatively easy to arrange (providing there aren't any obstructions). Although always remember that moving a gas meter can only be carried out by your current gas supplier, otherwise you may have to consider changing supplier in order for them to do the work instead.

In the event that relocating your gas meter is not straight-forward enough for your gas supplier to complete, you will need to contact your local gas transporter for their advice and a quote for the work involved.

However, unlike gas suppliers, you are unable to choose your gas transporter, meaning you won't be able to shop around for the best quote.

Your gas transporter will determine the best course of action in regards to amending existing supply lines or creating a new gas connection, depending on the relocation site and any current access available.

This may involve shutting off the gas, laying new pipes to connect the supply (in which case some excavation may be required) or adjusting pipes that are already near the property.

Disruption to your gas supply will be kept to a minimum and although moving a gas meter itself may only take a few hours, any additional work required could take much longer. This could involve site survey, or anything from hiring an electrician or gas fitter to excavation and refitting the land.

Whatever is required, your gas transporter will keep you informed throughout the process.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Moving a Gas Meter

Here are a few cost factors to take in to consideration when moving a gas meter:

Energy Provider

Some energy providers have a fixed-price for moving a gas meter less than 90cm, usually charging around £80 to £100.

However, for customers on the high-priority register, the gas meter relocation cost may be waived. If your current supplier is unable to complete the work, then it might be worth weighing up the cost of relocating your gas meter by changing to an alternative supplier.

Relocation Site

A significant factor in the overall costing of moving your gas meter is dependent on where you want it relocated.

Ease of Access

Gas (and electric) meters are are often moved as they are difficult to access, making it awkward to take accurate readings, or as part of a wider home renovation project.

Whilst some gas meter relocations can be relatively straight-forward, moving a gas meter from a cupboard or hard to reach corner, is going to be reflected within the cost of the work required.

Geographical Location

Where you live can also impact the cost of having your gas meter relocated. Rural areas may incur additional charges, as there is a greater distance between the home and gas supplies compared to urban areas.

Likewise, gas meter relocations within London and the surrounding areas may also work out more expensive.

DIY Moving Gas Meter

It's very important to note that it is illegal to move or tamper with your metering systems. This should only be done through your gas supplier or local gas network.

However, with prior discussion and approval from your gas engineer, you may be able to dig the pipe excavation site yourself. This can help reduce some of the costs involved in moving a gas meter.

If given the go ahead, it might be more more efficient to hire a mini digger to remove any soil and potentially tarmac, rather than using a regular garden shovel. Additionally, you need to plan for the disposal of any material where necessary.

Always proceed with extreme caution when excavating land near any pipework, as a burst pipe could lead to catastrophic results and significant repair costs.

Ready to get a quote from local tradesmen?

Post your job in minutes and get quotes from local and reliable trades. It's FREE. No obligations.

Get a Quote

Types of Gas Meter

With several types of gas meter currently used in the UK, appreciating the key differences between them will help you decide which which suits you best in managing your gas supply effectively.

Standard Digital or Dial Gas Meter

Probably the most common in the UK are standard gas meters, which are sometimes known as a credit meter.

This type of meter is often used in the majority of homes paying their gas bills via direct debit. Displays can be either digital or in analogue, or sometimes by a dial.

Pros

• ✔ Allows switch between multiple tariffs
• ✔ Bills are usually paid via direct debit

Cons

• ✖ May not allow for the cheapest tariffs

Economy 7 Gas Meter

Economy 7 is a differential tariff that can offer cheaper night-time usage rates when there is less of a demand on energy than during the day.

Economy 7 gas meters have two sets of numbers displayed; one for the day rate and another for the night rate.

Both sets of numbers will need to be supplied to your energy supplier when giving a reading.

Pros

• ✔ Cheaper tariffs for off-peak usage such as night-time
• ✔ Useful in circumstances where energy is not used much during the daytime

Cons

• ✖ Can cost more to operate your home during the daytime
• ✖ Less common energy choice, so fewer suppliers, offer economy tariffs
• ✖ Two sets of meter readings need to be taken, so may become confusing

Prepayment Gas Meter

A prepayment gas meter (is known as a pay-as-you-go meter) requires energy to be paid for in advance, before it is used.

Pros

• ✔ Allows control over gas usage
• ✔ Pay as you go; no standing order or direct debit

Cons

• ✖ Gas supply will cease to work if no money is left on the meter
• ✖ Tariffs are typically more expensive

Can I Move My Gas Meter?

There are a few situations where a gas supplier may agree to relocate a gas meter. The most common reasons are if the meter is inaccessible in its current location or if an extension is being added to the property.

The proposed new location is a key factor in the decision. If the meter needs to be moved more than 90cm from the gas cut-off valve, the external gas supply may need to be adjusted to accommodate the new position.

Positioning the meter within 90cm of its current location along the same wall is generally a simpler task and less likely to involve complications compared to relocating it further away.

Under no circumstances should you move your gas meter yourself or by hire an engineer, without prior authorisation from your gas supplier.

Should I Move My Gas Meter?

Due to the nature of the work involved, gas companies will need adequate proof and reasoning that the relation is necessary. They are under no obligation to move the gas meter and may refuse to carry out the work if there's not an adequate reason.

Moving a gas meter can become very costly depending on what's required. Make sure to get a quote from your gas supplier first so you have an idea on costings, even for minor relocation projects.

If the relocation project involves moving the meter further than 90cm from its original position, it will need to be completed by your local gas distributor. This will come at a fixed price, unless you can negotiate a discount on any of the preperation work required.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission for Moving a Gas Meter

Due to the nature of gas and gasworks, moving a gas meter is not subject to building regulations.

However, it does come with its own set of parameters which must be met to satisfy The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. These include:

• Ensuring that the gas cut-off valve is in an accessible location.
• The emergency valve should be close to the point where the gas supply enters the premises.
• The meter should be protected from unauthorised operation (e.g. tamper proof).
• Gas meters must be installed in a location that ensures the necessary separation distance between itself and electric apparatus; gas meters should not be installed next to electric meters.

Planning permission for moving a gas meter isn't required either, unless you live in a conservation area or in a listed building. In these instances, you will need to seek the approval from your local authority.

In some instances, you or your gas supplier may need permission from an adjoining landowner. For example, if the relevant pipes needed for adjustment cross their property boundaries.

Cost of Gas Meter Removal

If you no longer require a gas supply to your house, and cannot foresee needing on again in the future, you can contact your local gas transporter and request that your gas supply is capped off.

Much like fitting or relocating a gas meter, this is not something you can do yourself or simply hire a gas engineer to do on your behalf.

The work will need to be completed by your energy supplier once the gas transporter ha responded to your request and given permission.

The cost of having your gas supply capped will vary according to need and circumstances; some suppliers may do this free of charge whereas others may charge as they see fit according to the amount of work involved, ease of access and so on.

For further information regarding the costings involved in having your gas meter removed, you should contact your energy supplier.

FAQs

How to Find and Hire a Gas Meter Mover Installer

Due to the nature of the work involved, you will not be responsible for hiring your own gas meter mover; instead, this will fall to the responsibility of the appropriate authority; either your gas supplier or your local gas transporter.

Your gas supplier will endeavour to hire a highly-skilled professional to complete the work quickly and effectively with minimal disruption and should keep you informed throughout the process; from initial site visitation to planning, to installation.

Sources

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2451/contents/made
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/move-your-gas-or-electricity-meter/
https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l56.pdf