New gas meter outside with ugly pipes

[thetrees]

Hallo,

I've had a new meter fitted, it's outside the house in an ugly white box with lots of piping (see pics).

Is this standard these days? It was presented without ant choice. The second set of contractors said I could have it moved into the garage but the manager is refusing.

What would you do?

I'm a woman on my own and feel that I'm being really fobbed off

My neighbours have had an ugly box fitted to the front of the house too. Interested in your replies.

It's very bulky. Presumably you can't open the door fully now.

That's a good question, I haven't actually checked because the wood is a bit swollen at the moment but I will do

That's what all the gas meters round here look like and I'm sure I heard something about them only being fitted on the outside of the house not in garages etc to ensure it's accessible in the event of an emergency even if the home owner is not present.

It's common for them to be fitted outside now as a PP said so that they can be accessed if the residents aren't in.

You need to kick up a fuss over where it is located as it is a fire hazard as it is blocking an exit route especially if anyone has mobility issues.

We had ours moved because it was in an unsafe place indoors. We got a brown one, so count yourself lucky....!
They can be a real nuisance indoors, getting in the way, and you have to keep access clear to them without leaving them exposed to bangs and knocks. If you want them outside, then white is surely preferable to brown? Might they allow you to paint the box if you hate it so much?

I'd complain about that. Aesthetics are subjective, but it's an objective fact that it's blocking you from fully opening the garage door.

Even if you never actually open the doors fully, e.g. because you habitually park elsewhere, it's a problem they can't argue with and you should use it as a tool to get the outcome you want.

From the photo I am assuming it is fitted to a boundary wall rather than the wall of the house (i.e. not a cavity wall)?
When we had gas put into our property a few years ago we stipulated that box was to be recessed and all pipework was to be run internally. Of course it was more work but a more aesthetically pleasing result.

It's a very odd layout, the house is on a hill and the garage is underneath it if that makes sense