OT relocating a gas meter

[JMORC2003]

About to start a home addition project, one of the affected foundation walls has the gas lines and meter on it. Meter is currently inside the basement with a line coming in, and a vent pipe going out. Elizabethtown Gas came out to look and said they have to relocate the meter to the outside of the house, it'll take about 4 hours and cost $600. Doesnt sound right does it? Mentioned to my GC and he said Elizabethtown has been moving meters on their own for free (or was that the water co?). If I do have to pay, $600 sounds steep for 4 hour job by public service, doesn't it? Especially since I can't shop around.

Any ideas?

 

[RUskoolie]

$150 an hour for a plumber sounds about right.

 

[RUckusbuck]

About to start a home addition project, one of the affected foundation walls has the gas lines and meter on it. Meter is currently inside the basement with a line coming in, and a vent pipe going out. Elizabethtown Gas came out to look and said they have to relocate the meter to the outside of the house, it'll take about 4 hours and cost $600. Doesnt sound right does it? Mentioned to my GC and he said Elizabethtown has been moving meters on their own for free (or was that the water co?). If I do have to pay, $600 sounds steep for 4 hour job by public service, doesn't it? Especially since I can't shop around.

Any ideas?

Sounds cheap actually for E-town or Public Service. Sounds like your job will require a backhoe, removal of old service pipe, installation of a new service sweep, installation of new temperature compensated gas meter and startup of all gas appliances.

 

[RU#1fan]

That's cheap.

 

[Crazed_RU]

I agree with other posters. I don't think you'd get a private contractor to do this job for less. You can't really use them moving gas meters for free as a comparison because those issues are probably related to needs that they have in terms of servicing or reading meters. This is at your request for a home remodel.

 

[JMORC2003]

Damn. Ok. Thanks, fellas.

 

[JRZEER]

And in the long wrong have the utility company move it puts the burden of clean and safe install on them. $600 is cheap compared to an issue that potentially could arise from improper install. 6 bills is cheap for priece of mind. Two things in construction that should never be done hap hazard my are gas and electric. Good luck with your addition.

 

[e5fdny]

And in the long run having the utility company move it puts the burden of clean and safe install on them. $600 is cheap compared to an issue that potentially could arise from improper install. 6 bills is cheap for piece of mind. Two things in construction that should never be done hap hazard my are gas and electric. Good luck with your addition.

This.

 

[RUckusbuck]

I agree with other posters. I don't think you'd get a private contractor to do this job for less. You can't really use them moving gas meters for free as a comparison because those issues are probably related to needs that they have in terms of servicing or reading meters. This is at your request for a home remodel.

A contractor would not be used because they are not allowed to perform work on utility assets unless the utility hires them directly.

 

[knightfan7]

NJNG moved mine on their own a couple years ago. I had no say. I recently had it disconnected in anticipation of lifting the house. Charged me $375.

 

[koleszar]

About to start a home addition project, one of the affected foundation walls has the gas lines and meter on it. Meter is currently inside the basement with a line coming in, and a vent pipe going out. Elizabethtown Gas came out to look and said they have to relocate the meter to the outside of the house, it'll take about 4 hours and cost $600. Doesnt sound right does it? Mentioned to my GC and he said Elizabethtown has been moving meters on their own for free (or was that the water co?). If I do have to pay, $600 sounds steep for 4 hour job by public service, doesn't it? Especially since I can't shop around.

Any ideas?

That's cheap don't complain. I own a masonry company and have seen them moved at much steeper prices. NJNG made a boatload off of Sandy down here at the shore. I really felt bad for some of my customer's and let NJNG know about it on my customer's behalf.

For $600 bucks they're probably just going to trace the pipe to the outside of the foundation and install a new meter on the existing line. It won't take 4 hrs. but they'll make sure they make it that.

 

[mildone]

Skip relocating the meter. Have a private plumber tap your gas supply into your neighbor's house and let him pay the bill for awhile.