A gas meter has a habit of sitting exactly where a renovation, extension, or new driveway needs to go, and moving it turns out to be a genuinely different kind of job to most other gas fitting work, because it’s split between two separate parties rather than handled by one trade alone. If you’re planning a Gasfitter Gold Coast homeowners can rely on to manage a meter relocation properly, understanding that split upfront saves a lot of confusion once quotes start coming in from what feels like two different directions.
This guide covers who’s actually allowed to move a gas meter, what it costs, how long it takes, and what approvals are involved before the job can go ahead.
Can a Gas Meter Be Moved?
Yes. Gas meters are relocated fairly regularly, most commonly during renovations, extensions, driveway or carport additions, or when a meter’s current position becomes inaccessible or unsafe. It’s not something that can be done casually or without notice, though, since it involves both regulatory approval and coordinated work between your gas distributor and a licensed gas fitter.
Who Is Allowed to Move It?
Nobody can legally move a gas meter themselves, including a general handyman, an electrician, or even a plumber without the appropriate gas licensing. The meter itself is owned by your gas distributor, not the homeowner, and only the distributor or their authorised contractors can physically disconnect, relocate, and reinstall it. The pipework on your side of the meter, running to your appliances, is separately the responsibility of a licensed gas fitter.
Does the Gas Company Move It or a Gasfitter?
Both, each covering a different part of the job. The gas distributor handles the meter itself and the service line connecting it to the mains, since they own that infrastructure and it needs to be moved by their authorised technicians. Your licensed gas fitter handles everything on your side of the meter, adjusting or reconnecting the internal pipework to suit the meter’s new position, and pressure testing the completed system before it’s signed off. This is exactly why a meter relocation quote often arrives in two parts rather than one.
How Much Does Relocation Cost?
Costs vary significantly depending on distance and complexity, but as a general 2026 guide:
- Distributor’s meter relocation fee: roughly $800 to $1,500 for a straightforward move of a few metres
- Gasfitter’s internal pipework adjustment: roughly $400 to $900 for reconnecting and testing pipework to suit the new position
- More complex relocations, moving the meter further from its current position, relocating it outdoors, or requiring trenching and a new weatherproof enclosure, can bring the combined total to $1,500 to $4,500 or more
Distributors typically charge a quote fee upfront, often around $100 to $150, simply to assess the job and provide a formal cost estimate before any work is scheduled.
How Long Does It Take?
Once approved, a straightforward relocation is often completed within a few days to a couple of weeks, though this depends heavily on your distributor’s current workload and how much notice you give. More complex relocations, particularly those requiring trenching, a new meter enclosure, or coordination with other trades during a renovation, can take several weeks from initial approval to completion. It’s worth requesting a quote and lodging the relocation request well ahead of any hard renovation deadline, since distributor scheduling is generally outside your control.
Can I Move It During Renovations?
Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons meter relocations happen. If a planned extension, new driveway, or altered building line means the meter’s current position no longer works, it needs to be factored into the renovation timeline early. Since the distributor’s relocation work often needs to happen before certain building stages can proceed, particularly where the new meter position affects wall placement or an extension’s footing, this is a job worth booking as early as possible rather than leaving until later in the build.
Can a Meter Be Moved Away From a Driveway?
Yes. This is a common request, either because a meter sits in the path of a new driveway or carport, or simply because a homeowner wants to reposition it away from vehicle traffic for safety and access reasons. The process is the same as any other relocation, distributor approval and physical relocation of the meter, combined with a licensed gas fitter adjusting the internal pipework to the new position.
Does Internal Gas Piping Need Changing?
Usually, yes, at least to some degree. Even a short meter relocation typically requires the internal pipework to be extended or rerouted to reach the meter’s new position, and your gas fitter will assess whether the existing pipe material and sizing are adequate or need upgrading as part of the job. Older properties in particular can require additional pipework replacement if the existing lines don’t meet current standards, which is worth budgeting for as a possibility rather than assuming the existing pipe will simply extend to the new spot without issue.
Does the Supply Need Shutting Down?
Yes, briefly. The gas supply to the property is isolated while the meter is physically disconnected and relocated, and again while your gas fitter completes and pressure tests the internal pipework connection. For a straightforward relocation, this interruption is often limited to a few hours on the day of the work, though more involved jobs may require the supply to stay off for longer while trenching or pipework changes are completed.
What Approvals Are Required?
Your gas distributor needs to approve the relocation before any physical work begins, which typically involves submitting a request, paying a quote fee, and in some cases arranging a site visit to assess the new position and any access requirements. Depending on your council and the extent of the work, a building or plumbing permit may also be required, particularly if the relocation involves trenching across council land or affects an easement. Your gas fitter can usually advise whether council involvement is needed based on where the new position sits relative to your property boundary.
Book a Gasfitter Gold Coast Trusts for Meter Relocations
Plumb Professor coordinates the internal pipework side of gas meter relocations across the Gold Coast, working alongside your gas distributor to keep the job on schedule during a renovation, extension, or driveway upgrade. Every job includes upfront pricing and the compliance certificate required once the work is complete.
Call 07 5551 5954 or get in touch online to plan your gas meter relocation.
