Take a picture of the meter enclosure. Post it here so we can see what you have. Also any information inside the meter enclosure will help.

 

That seems quite high to replace just the meter head even if up grading. Depending on your area, believe just the head can be replaced.

 

He may have a meter main and if he does, thats why so expensive to replace. Thats why he needs to post a picture.

 

The reason given by the electrician is that because the house and box are old, there are a number of things that would have to be brought up to modern code. If they started removing stuff, they wouldn't be allowed to just put it back, so the job is a lot bigger than just the meter box. They told us that if we could find a new cover, however, we could just slap it in place and it would be fine because it's still the original system. There's no hazard to the way that it is right now, it just hasn't been updated. I'll post some pictures.

 

They are telling you the truth. Leaned this the hard way when the meter reader pulled the meter and broke a tang receiver. Of course they called it defective equipment and not their fault. The old electrician I found demonstrated what error was made and how it was done.

I was lucky enough to find an old electrician who hoarded old parts and he was able to repair the existing meter base and get it inspected as a repair with no updates. I paid $600, and was happy to do it, for a small plastic (bakelite actually) piece of trash and the legal labor to install it.

For legal reasons most utility companies are not allowed to give referrals but sometimes individuals have a heart and might drop a name during a casual conversation.

 

 

I have looked around the box (even inside) and haven't been able to find any other markings.

 

I guess I would question that, maybe one of the electrical guys here can help out with information.

 

We certainly haven't made any commitments yet and will continue looking for a better deal, but if we can get out of this whole thing for a couple hundred instead of a couple thousand, I'm all in!

 

Whats in the enclosure below the meter? If there are breakers its a meter main. But it is very old and I honestly do not think you will find an exact replacement.
That meter box cover looks pretty good to me. Why cant the cover be repaired? Its on there with tape, but I don't see any twisted metal?
I bet you could repair that with some sheet metal screws and a little ingenuity.

 

Yeah, the box below is a breaker box, so that would make it a meter main. The cover is pretty twisted, but I think I could bang it back out straight and repaint and have it look okay. The reason I haven't done that yet is we've been dealing with our insurance and haven't wanted to do anything that they don't like. It's also locked and I'm not sure how to unlock it. The lock-bracket thing is the square piece on the right in my second picture. Is that something that an electrician has to unlock, or is there a way that we can unlock it ourselves? If I can get if off, I'll just make it look good again, call it a day, and pocket the insurance payout

Probably not code.....but inspectors can be reasonable...if ever even noticed......But if that is just the meter cover, can you get a sheetmetal shop to fabricate a new cover ...well sealed for water......paint it up grey....??????????

(We had to make a new faceplate for an old main that was converted to a junction box...and the inspector said looks great.)

I hadn't thought of having a fab shop make us a new one. No idea how much that would cost, but I can't imagine it would take a skilled person very long to create. And I'd still come out so far ahead of the $5000 quote!

And this has nothing to do with anything....but why the heck would vandals be F'n with your meter....seems like that would be the last thing they would screw with.....too bad they didn't electrocute themselves.

And here's the great mystery, isn't it. My car's window was also smashed out and they rummaged through some stuff, so we assume it was some crack head looking to get some cash. As far as the meter, we have a couple theories: 1) they were looking for copper to steal and sell, or 2) they wanted to break into the house and the security lights were cramping their style. Not sure why they couldn't just flip the breaker switches to kill power to the house, but hey, crack heads aren't known for their critical thinking prowess--my car was completely unlocked and they still smashed out the window... We're pretty sure that our neighbor's dog interrupted them and that he's the reason we didn't come home to a full on burglary, as he had a couple unexplained injuries after the fact. He gets plenty of treats from us now... Good boy 🐕

 

Probably not code.....but inspectors can be reasonable...if ever even noticed......But if that is just the meter cover, can you get a sheetmetal shop to fabricate a new cover ...well sealed for water......paint it up grey....??????????

(We had to make a new faceplate for an old main that was converted to a junction box...and the inspector said looks great.)

 

And this has nothing to do with anything....but why the heck would vandals be F'n with your meter....seems like that would be the last thing they would screw with.....too bad they didn't electrocute themselves.

 

Maybe they thought it would kill the alarm system.

Yeah, the box below is a breaker box, so that would make it a meter main. The cover is pretty twisted, but I think I could bang it back out straight and repaint and have it look okay. The reason I haven't done that yet is we've been dealing with our insurance and haven't wanted to do anything that they don't like. It's also locked and I'm not sure how to unlock it. The lock-bracket thing is the square piece on the right in my second picture. Is that something that an electrician has to unlock, or is there a way that we can unlock it ourselves? If I can get if off, I'll just make it look good again, call it a day, and pocket the insurance payout

I cannot see under the tape. But it looks like you could take two self tapping screws and attach the top of the cover.
We don't have those types of locks here. We have a tag that is very easy to cut. I have cut mine off a couple times with no issues from the power company. But they (power co.) will unlock it for you if you explain what you are trying to do.
I agree. Install a couple self tapping screws and be done with this. And not get the power co. involved at all.

I hadn't thought of having a fab shop make us a new one. No idea how much that would cost, but I can't imagine it would take a skilled person very long to create. And I'd still come out so far ahead of the $5000 quote!

This is not a good idea. First a fab shop will not be able to make the opening like it is right now. They can cut a hole at best. Also this would be a modification and may not fly. It would also stick out visually.
Screw the cover back on (modification but less noticeable) and be done with it. Get rid of the tape too.
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Normally the lock or in some cases a seal, the power company has to unlock that part is considered theirs