Side gate and gas meter question

valve90210 · 19 Apr 2013 at 09:44

I've got a bit of a question regarding the location of my gas meter and my side gate, the current state of which is shown below:

At present the side gate (which is in a terrible condition and looks more like a hurriedly lashed together zombie barricade) is located near the back of the house, meaning that the side access corridor to the house is not really a useable space as it's not secure. I want to build a new side gate but would like to move it forward so I can use this space for a small shed or wall store or something which would be really useful and a good use of the area. However as you can see in the photo, the gas meter is located along the side wall and is just in front of the current location of the side gate.

Would I be allowed to build a side gate further forward than the meter (ie the meter would be somewhere behind the gate) without moving the meter? I know I could pay to have meter moved but I'm also aware that the cost of doing so is huge as you have only a couple of options for doing so and they use their virtual monopoly (or duopoly actually) to make the price huge.

tom_e · 19 Apr 2013 at 09:52

I can't see why not just means they'll knock if they want to check the meter and the gate is locked.

#Chri5# · 19 Apr 2013 at 10:16

Build the gate - our gas meter is in a kitchen cupboard.

Lartyconshayo · 19 Apr 2013 at 11:13

build what you want

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 11:19

valve90210 said:
I'Would I be allowed to build a side gate further forward than the meter (ie the meter would be somewhere behind the gate) without moving the meter? I know I could pay to have meter moved but I'm also aware that the cost of doing so is huge as you have only a couple of options for doing so and they use their virtual monopoly (or duopoly actually) to make the price huge.

Perfectly ok, certainly cheaper than moving the meter, that would cost at least £500+. :eek:

My mum has a meter, it has to be turned 90degrees & moved 600mm to make access easier, cost was around £780, luckily she can get it done FOC, due to being disabled.

EDIT: Looking at your photo, it might be worth getting the to quote for moving, just out of interest ,your not committing yourself to anything,as I presume gas pipe runs under grass verge, not a lot of work, shortening pipe.

wazza300 · 19 Apr 2013 at 11:55

you don't need to move anything,they can knock on the door and ask to read it,no problem

valve90210 · 19 Apr 2013 at 12:14

Excellent, I shall get myself a gate built... gives me some more storage space for bbq's etc!

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 12:16

wazza300 said:
you don't need to move anything,they can knock on the door and ask to read it,no problem

Correct, but it would be interesting to know the cost.

valve90210 · 19 Apr 2013 at 13:12

I might get a quote but I assume it will be hellishly expensive. My parents recently has an extension on the front of their house and the meter needed to be moved about 1.5m forward, so just shortening the pipes and moving it forward that short distance and it cost something like £700 - £800 and took the workmen literally 20minutes!!!

Maccapacca · 19 Apr 2013 at 13:17

Nightglow said:
Correct, but it would be interesting to know the cost.

I charged a client £2,500 to move a gas meter 2m

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 13:20

In my case they had to shorten a plastic pipe by 600mm, drill 4 holes for meter box, complete job took barely 20 minutes, that's £39 per minute, or £2340 per hour :eek:

****** ripoff.

Maccapacca · 19 Apr 2013 at 13:45

I can sure you we made £300 odd quid out of it

wazza300 · 19 Apr 2013 at 14:12

Nightglow said:
Correct, but it would be interesting to know the cost.

expensive as usual with gas/water/electricity

its not needed anyway

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 14:21

maccapacca said:
I charged a client £2,500 to move a gas meter 2m

I'm in the wrong job.

valve90210 · 19 Apr 2013 at 15:18

With regard to building the gate, I was thinking of brick plars either side to put the gate in the middle but how would I stand with building over the strip of border directly next to the house where the gas pipes most likely go? Would that be ok or would I be better mounting the gate against the wall and laveing that border intact?

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 15:33

No problem mounting post on wall.

I had a similar problem a few years ago, solved by sleeving a water pipe, with a piece of plastic 40mm waste pipe, cutting it along it's length so you can slot it over pipe, then make up some form work either end of pipe & filled space with concrete, to provide base for a pier.

Maccapacca · 19 Apr 2013 at 15:36

You could scrape about a bit and see if you can find the top of the pipe in the border bit then if you get low enough cast some concrete for a pier, if you find it think of something else.

The pipe should be 400 - 600mm deep ha ha

Nightglow · 19 Apr 2013 at 15:40

maccapacca said:
The pipe should be 400 - 600mm deep ha ha

Don't you believe it...

At my last place it was 75mm deep.

Maccapacca · 19 Apr 2013 at 15:45

When cable came in and the scandals of people making fortunes from laying cable all over the country we quite honestly find cables laid under paving slabs where they have lifted the slabs and stamped a duct under neath then laid the slab back.

We often find pipes / pot ends / services where they are not supposed to be, apparently there is a + / - 5m tolerance for services and where they really are from the drawings.

~Divine~Wind~ · 19 Apr 2013 at 16:13

maccapacca said:
I charged a client £2,500 to move a gas meter 2m

Jesus wept...
Was wanting our meter moved so it's easily accesible to meter readers to the front/side of the house, must be about 3m. Pipes would be shortened not extended and all internal work carried out by a certified gas engineer.

this would also allow us to remove a horrendous old pantry style cupboard.

That seems a hugely extortianate cost tho

Side gate and gas meter question

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