gas meter problem

[devonwoody]

I have had visits from the water people, electric people and now the gas man, they all want to change our meter.
First two were no problem but gas man coming in a few days and our gas meter is buried under and in kitchen units installed 20 years ago. They did swap the meter around 12 years ago and had great difficulty, it cost me a bottle of whisky to get the chaps to proceed, there seems to be some difficulty in connecting the new set up last time.

What happens this time, they surely cannot rip my kitchen out?
Do I get the choice at their xpense to resite perhaps on the outside wall and repiped?
Anyone with experience and know the answers please?

BTW if the old meter was overcharging me do they get me a refund ?

 

[tomatwark]

Depends on the chap who comes out.

I have found with a lot of these companies now that if it involves anything that is complicated they won't do it.

A lot are contractors and get paid for the visit and then a smaller amount for the work, so if they get there and don't like the job they will reject it as they still get most of the money.

Or you will get a young lad who can't be bothered and will refuse the job, in case they get dirty.

BT Openreach are good at this.

My neighbour needed a phone line put in his office at the workshop premises I am in and the BT guy turned and refused to do the job on health and safety grounds.

Two weeks later after a lot of phone calls another older engineer turned up and told the my neighbour the young guy was a lazy so and so, and installed the line.

This young lad was well known for only doing the easy jobs and passing the rest on, using health and safety as an excuse.

 

[devonwoody]

So if they refuse the job, (last time the fellow had to place a rubber contraption in is mouth, something like a condom) they just walk away and thats it?

 

[morfa]

Welcome to the wonderous world of the privatised 'gig' economy!

 

[banjerbill]

I had a meter re-positioned, at my request 20 years ago and it cost me £1000. That said however if they are saying you must have a new meter and it is inconveniently placed for them, then I feel they should do it at their expense. I would have thought it would be to their advantage to have it outside. It's not one of those dreaded smart meters is it? Have you discussed this with your supplier, as forewarned is forearmed.

Bill

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks, OK I will have a word with EDF, although the meter change is not at their request.

 

[sunnybob]

A gas meter must be accessible at all times in case of emergency. If there was a fire, would you be able to turn off the gas at the meter before leaving the building?
If you couldnt and the gas escaped and made the fire worse the insurance company would have grounds for witholding payments.
whoever boxed the meter in should be responsible for altering the layout. If thats not possible then it should be the house owner.

 

[devonwoody]

The tap is accessible and it was oked when fitted 20 years ago.

 

[RogerS]

I had a meter re-positioned, at my request 20 years ago and it cost me £1000. That said however if they are saying you must have a new meter and it is inconveniently placed for them, then I feel they should do it at their expense. I would have thought it would be to their advantage to have it outside. It's not one of those dreaded smart meters is it? Have you discussed this with your supplier, as forewarned is forearmed.

Bill

You can refuse to have a smart meter installed.

 

[RogerS]

DW....chances are very slim, I'm afraid. The kitchen units are your responsibility. Can you not remove them yourself ?

 

[devonwoody]

Age and energy is a problem Roger and my wife is almost imobile which makes life different .