Leave it or move it.

[polexican23]

Figured a poll would help make my decision.

Right now I am in the beginning of a detached 24x30 garage build. By driveway is kind of narrow at 10ft at its widest point. Towards the end of the drive there is a gas meter for the home. It shrinks the drive to about 8.5 feet.

Nicor (local gas supplier) has quoted a sum of $2600 to move the meter to the opposite side of the home. Doesn't include new piping into the home. Just the meter and new gas line.

 

[polexican23]

Only pic i have of the meter location

 

[mmb617]

I don't know what to advise. That's a lot of coin to move the meter, but on the other hand it's only a matter of time till it gets hit which will probably be even more expensive.

You might get used to avoiding it, but somebody else will tag it for sure.

 

[ratdoggy]

Is the fence as far away as it can be from the house?

 

[czervika]

Depends. If I needed to get a trailer back there on a regular basis, yes. If I'm just driving typical cars or trucks back there, I'd leave it.

 

[dave89iroc]

whats around that corner?

before anything, put some soapy water in a spray bottle, clear the dirt away where the pipe enters the ground, and spray the pipe around where it was at the surface, look for bubbles, if its leaking, gas company will likely send a crew out to replace the pipe, talk to the crew, see if they can move it around the corner

 

[dave89iroc]

whats around that corner?

before anything, put some soapy water in a spray bottle, clear the dirt away where the pipe enters the ground, and spray the pipe around where it was at the surface, look for bubbles, if its leaking, gas company will likely send a crew out to replace the pipe, talk to the crew, see if they can move it around the corner

gas company here(DTE) sent crews out inspecting all lines, mine was leaking, they replaced the line, replaced meter, relocated the meter to outside, and re-lit my pilot lights, no charge

 

[bimmer1980]

Is it something that has to be done prior to something else? i.e. driveway?

Or can you easily put it off and have it done later?

I would sink in some posts on either side of the gas meter and roll with it....

However, as others have said, if you are bringing in trailers, it would be helpful to have it gone.

However, I would definitely be setting aside money to be able to move it at some point...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Put in a couple bollards to protect the gas meter, it will be a lot cheaper than relocating it.

 

[polexican23]

Fence is the neighbors. yes as far as it is going to go

Around the corner is the electrical in and a water spigot. Nicor already said no to moving it around the corner.

It isn't currently leaking, NICORs idea was a new brace to stead it.

I would most like install a cement ballard (<--sp?) to protect future hits if I don't move it.

No trailers now or in the future.

 

[polexican23]

Around the corner

 

[JohnK007]

I think I'd move it and just roll the cost into the overall garage project. The thing that makes me lean that way is the fact that the gas line to the meter is running under your drive so if there's ever a leak or problem with the supply line, they'll have to dig up your new driveway to get to it. The likelihood of that happening is slim but you never know, and like was said it's only a matter of time before someone kisses it. It will also be in the way for snow removal which is going to further restrict the width of the drive. I admit $2600 is a bit stiff but cry once and be done with it.

 

[raddksn]

I have dealt with a meter in the driveway its a PITA!!! if you can afford it MOVE IT NOW!!!
I grew up Oak Lawn Il. lots of meters in driveways there!

 

[Ray916MN]

If it isn't moved it needs to be protected from being struck. Subtract the cost of concreted posts to protect the meter. This will be the true cost of moving the meter.

 

[raddksn]

It will also be in the way for snow removal which is going to further restrict the width of the drive. I admit $2600 is a bit stiff but cry once and be done with it

good point!!!

 

[jives]

Why move it to the other side of the house? Why not around the corner? It would seem you could tie it into the existing house piping much easier and would require less piping underground.

 

[ChaseDE]

Why move it to the other side of the house? Why not around the corner? It would seem you could tie it into the existing house piping much easier and would require less piping underground.

same question.

if it bothers you enough to make a topic here, you should move it because it will always be there sneering at you if you don't.

if you don't move it, like others said, put some bollards around it.

 

[LB-1911]

Why move it to the other side of the house?

Why not around the corner?

It would seem you could tie it into the existing house piping much easier and would require less piping underground.

Because Nicor said no.

Fence is the neighbors. yes as far as it is going to go

Around the corner is the electrical in and a water spigot.

Nicor already said no to moving it around the corner.

It isn't currently leaking, NICORs idea was a new brace to stead it.

I would most like install a cement ballard (<--sp?) to protect future hits if I don't move it.

No trailers now or in the future.

 

[ChaseDE]

well that is that then lol

 

[rlitman]

How often do you expect to be driving past it? Dividing up the cost of moving it over rarely needing the space, vs using it every day can make a big difference in your decision. Will you be parking in that detached garage regularly? What sort of vehicles will you be driving past it?

Bollards are needed for sure. I'd put hard bollards up to just over the height of the meter, but don't go too high, or you'll knock your mirrors off. Above them, I'd put a reflective fiberglass stick or something flexible and visible, because low bollards can be hard to see, especially in your mirrors.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check with the local building authority and see if there are any regulations about how close it can be to a window or door. Neighbors got theirs moved for free because it was too close to a window,

 

[sierradmax]

With the gas company there, how about adding a 2nd meter or line to the garage for future heating. Just a thought.

 

[DaveIRL]

get if shifted the pole is wrong heres why if you caused 2600 dollars damage to a vechicle the gas line would also be affected making the cost potentially 2600+ 2600=5200

 

[Kevin54]

I would bite the bullet and have it moved, and then at the same time, have a gas line ran to the garage for your heater or furnace.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I would move it also, You could real easy do more damage then that to your car or truck. Plus you still have to move it. plus with my luck it would be a weekend or holiday and you will pay time and a half for labor. And prices will only go up. That is todays prices. Bite the bullet and be happy.

 

[James-W]

The way it is now it is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[txvwnut]

Move it. My brother has the same drive setup as the op and ran into his late one night with his trailer. Breaking your gas meter is not something you wanna do, especially after midnight.

 

[-Brent-]

I would lean toward moving it but what's the job like inside with getting it all hooked up with it entering the other side of the building?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'd move it around the corner, and if asked say the tractor op hit it on accident.

 

[polexican23]

the skidsteer operator did hit it, hence the new support bracket. Nicor still wouldn't move it.

 

[tthornto]

I would keep pushing to have it moved just around the corner. If they won't move it around the corner in the back can it be moved around the corner in front of the house? Even if they charge the same amount to move it around the corner as they do to move it to the other side of the house it is worth it to keep your yard/landscaping on the other side of the house from being trenched up, unless you want an excuse to redo the landscaping then have them put it wherever is cheapest easiest or most aesthetically pleasing.

 

[HOTFR8]

I don't know what to advise. That's a lot of coin to move the meter, but on the other hand it's only a matter of time till it gets hit which will probably be even more expensive.

You might get used to avoiding it, but somebody else will tag it for sure.

I have to agree with this but the cost you need to look into as that does sound a lot. If you leave it and it gets hit what will it cost you then ?

 

[Binrat]

Not to mention when you do knock it loose, and your house goes up in flames...

 

[Larryjones]

My gas company would allow me to move it myself. I would go to the street and start trenching across the yard and head around to the other corner, avoid the drive way. Use the yellow line. They would provide the pipe for the street hookup and the riser and meter.

 

[amkluttz]

Around the corner

I would call them back and ask them again about moving it around the corner. I would want to know why they say it can't be moved around the corner. There is typically a rule about it not being within a certain distance (I believe 10' in my area) of an ignition source which the meter could be. There shouldn't be any rules about being close to a water line. Sometimes you just get ahold of someone who doesn't know or isn't interested in doing the work. Make them explain why. The worst that can happen is they say no again and you've wasted a little time. It would make the most sense for piping back in to existing house lines.

-Andy

 

[bigdav160]

I moved my meter myself. I had to replumb the piping inside.

The POCO charged me $500 to run the plastic pipe from the meter to the main. They thanked me for digging down the main where their connection was to be made. LOL

 

[wssix99]

At the point you need to pay that much money to move the meter, I'd look at getting the gas company out of your life entirely.

So, I would not move it.

I would:
- Move the meter in closer to the house. That will give you an important 6".
- Not worry about the rest. As you drive by, you'll need some buffer from the house and fence for your side mirrors. Once the meter is up against the house, it will just pass under your side mirror space as you drive by - no problem. You also have the downspout there, so keeping away from that will also give you plenty of clearance from the meter.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Put in a couple bollards to protect the gas meter, it will be a lot cheaper than relocating it.

My gas company did this on their own at my house. I didn't even ask.

 

[lazer50]

I would move it and not think twice.include the cost in future build and forget about it.you will be glad you did.

 

[jwh]

Move that meter! As has already been said, potential for disaster exists.
Here's a YouTube audio from earlier this year. Gas meter was inside the garage. Was broken off by car hitting it.

Henrietta is a town outside Rochester NY

John