What is a Meter Box Cover & Other FAQs

Meter boxes are a functional item that almost every house in the UK has. Yet few people will consider upkeeping them as their responsibility – or even consider them at all.

This means there are a lot of questions, unanswered and even unasked, around them. But as your resident meter box experts, we’re here to make sure you know everything you need to keep your meter box at its best.

What is a Meter Box Cover?

A meter box cover is the box unit that protects a gas, electric or water meter on a property to protect it from damage and weathering. They are usually made from metal or hard-wearing plastic to cope with environmental conditions and are available in a selection of colours to suit your requirements. Meter box covers can be recessed or surface-mounted, and can also be used internally as well as externally, although they are usually found on the exterior of a property.

Reasons to Repair/Replace My Meter Box?

There are a lot of reasons your meter box may need fixing or repairing. Even the most robust and well-built box will start to fail eventually, and once they do it’s important to keep up with repairing them to avoid more serious problems.

What are common meter box problems?

Issues you might might notice with your meter box that need fixing include:

• the door is no longer hanging straight (the hinges might be failing)
• the door is no longer staying closed (the lock might be failing)
• the door has been torn off completely (either through intentional vandalism or by the wind)
• flaking paint on a metal box (if the metal is exposed, this will lead to rust that will weaken the box until a hole forms)
• cracks, warping or colour changing on a plastic box

If you spot any of these problems with your meter box, it is best to address them as quickly as possible, but the specific fix will depend on your specific issue.

Should I Repair or Should I Replace My Meter Box?

Only your own judgement can decide whether your gas meter box or electric meter box can be repaired based on the damage it has sustained.

For example, if your meter box door has started to fall off but is still in one piece and looking pretty robust in itself, a new box could be completely unnecessary – it may be sufficient to replace the hinges. Conversely, if the door force of the door coming off your box damages the hinges where they meet the box, you may need to fit an over box as the hinges can’t be replaced.

To decide whether a repair or a replacement is necessary for your box, assess the issue with your meter box and then take a look at our meter box repair kits and replacement parts to see if one can solve it.

How Do I Know Which Meter Box Cover to Choose?

Obviously, a lot of factors will affect what overbox is right for you. Here are some things you should consider to decide what meter box to buy:

• Dimensions: measure your current meter box cover to get a rough guide, but if you’re planning to fix a new box over an existing one, make sure you measure the widest parts, and allow some space to fix it to the wall as well.
• Meter type: the type of meter you’re covering will dictate the type of box you need, whether that is gas, electric or water.
• Meter box material: would you prefer the long life span of a metal meter box or the convenience of a plastic meter box?
• Fire rating: in certain circumstances, you may be better off getting a fire-rated box
• Colour: If you’re going to the trouble of replacing a broken meter box, it’s always worth picking a colour that complements your house.

Once you’ve addressed all these factors, it should be clear which meter box cover would best meet your needs. But if you’re still unsure, you could always contact us for more support.

Can I Fit A Meter Box Myself?

Once you have a new meter overbox, you can fit it yourself.

The difficulty level will depend on the box you order and your own skill level. Our own gas and electricity meter boxes are designed to be so simple to fit that you’re able to do it alone with a very basic level of DIY skill.

Other boxes that are bulkier or heavier to fit may take more than one person or a higher level of skill. If you’re particularly uncomfortable with DIY, you may even wish to get a professional to fit it for you.

However, it is against the law to tamper with an energy meter. This means that if the back of your meter box needs moving, or you need to touch the energy meter itself for any other reason, you must speak to a professional to get the work completed.

If you’d like to know about how to fit a meter overbox, you can read our handy guide. Alternatively, if you would like to know how to replace a meter door, replace a plastic latch or replace a latch held with washers or a metal latch, we have guides for those too.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Meter Box Replaced?

The final cost of meter box repairs and replacements will always depend on the type of meter box you choose and whether to install it yourself. A new meter box can cost between £80 – £250, depending on the type, size and material you choose, so it’s hard to give an exact price.

A glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) box that you install yourself will be considerably cheaper than a metal one you get professionally installed.

Whose Responsibility Is It To Fix A Meter Box?

It is almost always the responsibility of the homeowner to repair or replace a meter box. While a gas or electricity meter itself can only be worked on by an engineer from your utility company, the box that covers it is entirely your responsibility.

For more information, read our blog which covers this topic in more detail.

Does A Meter Box Need A Lintel?

If you have a recessed meter box, you might wonder if there is a lintel set above it – and if there isn’t, should you have one?

It is technically advised to fit a lintel above a recessed meter box, depending on the size of the box. If you remove a significant number of bricks, this will disrupt the strength of the wall. And, though this is unlikely to cause an issue in itself, over time the mortar and bricks surrounding the meter box might start to weaken over time.

That said, it is not currently common practice to install lintels above meter boxes. If you are planning to move your meter box or replace an overbox with a recessed one, it is definitely something you should consider. However, if your existing box doesn’t have one fitted, this is not a concern.

Why Buy A Meter Box From Us?

We’re experts on meter boxes, so we only ever provide high-quality meter boxes and cost-effective repairs that work. We’re also happy to answer any questions you might have, so if you need to know something that wasn’t covered in this blog post, please get in touch.

Alternatively, if you found an answer and now need a product, then take a look at our range to find an easy-to-fit meter box repair.