UK Moving CU / meter

Beeg · Jul 5, 2020

Hi all,

I’m having the hall redecorated and am looking to relocate the CU and meter. Currently they are in a cupboard by the front door, but I would like to have this cupboard taken out and have a small cupboard built on the adjacent wall. I know the CU can be moved easily enough by a competent, qualified electrician, however I’m unsure about the meter and the main fuse. Obviously this would have to be done by the DNO, but does this always involve groundwork outside or can it sometimes be done without any excavation?

Thanks for reading and hopefully my post isn’t too uninformative.
Regards
Beeg

James · Jul 5, 2020

Anything is possible,
Get a local spark or 2 to quote.
Ask the dno for a price.

Do not be surprised if the total cost comes in at 3 to 5k

littlespark · Jul 5, 2020

It is going to be an expensive job, moving, extending circuit cables...
To move the main cable, the DNO will need to isolate the incoming cable, then maybe joint it to reach the new position.
Isolating can affect a number of your neighbours, so the have a lot of organising to do. Don’t expect it to be done in a weeks time or anything.

Taylortwocities · Jul 6, 2020

I expect you’ll want the gas meter moved too? That’s also an eye watering cost.

Beeg said:
I know the CU can be moved easily enough

Not really easily. Each and every connection to the CU will need to be extended and rerouted to the new location. It looks like some of those cables come from below and done from above, so there will be some disruption to access cable routes.

DefyG · Jul 6, 2020

Beeg said:
I know the CU can be moved easily

What makes you think it can be moved easily! Doesn't look that easy from your photo with final circuit cables coming down from the CU and presumably going up too. Although in the grand scheme of things, moving the CU would be relatively cheap!
Presumably you want to move the gas meter too as in the same cupboard all in all an expensive job!
Obviously anything can be done for a price!
Best speak to the DNO for price and cable route as obviously can be done without excavating if already an overhead supply but if underground then doubt it.