Pre-Commencement Visit
We have a problem in that the existing location of the gas meter is on the back wall of the utility room which is required to be demolished. That means the meter has to be moved but we're not 100% sure where its final location will be. Having phoned up our energy supplier they informed us that this work is carried out by Wales and West Utilities. So after speaking with someone, they arranged for a surveyor to visit and provide a quote to move the meter.
[INSERT GAS METER PHOTO]
I had also called up the building control department to inform them that we will be commencing work soon and would like a visit from the assigned inspector in the next 48 hours. Two days later I received a phone call and an appointment was made for the afternoon.
The same day, in the morning the surveyor from Wales and West Utilities arrived and after a discussion I reluctantly agreed on having the meter moved to the front just before the garage. We can't build over where the mains gas pipe will be running so our only option was at the front. It means we will have to live with the ugly sight of a white plastic box sticking out the wall. I did ask whether it would be possible to locate it in the garage, but the surveyor mentioned they would need to isolate the supply and then re-connect it when the garage is ready, double the cost! Anyway I was told to expect a quote within 5 working days and then the turn around time for the work is 5 weeks!
This shows the side wall near the front of the house. You can make out the black pen marks on the brick which indicate where the garage will begin. (just left of the white marks). I've started to remove the block paving as this will need to be dug out to find the gas pipe.
After spending a couple of hours and not getting very far in the scorching heat (today being 32℃) I decided to stop. I think this will be best left to the groundworkers.
The building control inspector arrived promptly and after taking him through the plans, he was quite satisfied and didn't have any concerns. We do have a eucalyptus tree at the front when entering the driveway and he mentioned that they require a lot of water from the soil so it may impact the depth of the foundations at the front of the garage.
[INSERT GAS METER PHOTO]
I had also called up the building control department to inform them that we will be commencing work soon and would like a visit from the assigned inspector in the next 48 hours. Two days later I received a phone call and an appointment was made for the afternoon.
The same day, in the morning the surveyor from Wales and West Utilities arrived and after a discussion I reluctantly agreed on having the meter moved to the front just before the garage. We can't build over where the mains gas pipe will be running so our only option was at the front. It means we will have to live with the ugly sight of a white plastic box sticking out the wall. I did ask whether it would be possible to locate it in the garage, but the surveyor mentioned they would need to isolate the supply and then re-connect it when the garage is ready, double the cost! Anyway I was told to expect a quote within 5 working days and then the turn around time for the work is 5 weeks!
The building control inspector arrived promptly and after taking him through the plans, he was quite satisfied and didn't have any concerns. We do have a eucalyptus tree at the front when entering the driveway and he mentioned that they require a lot of water from the soil so it may impact the depth of the foundations at the front of the garage.
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