Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 22, 2010 3:40 pm I would have thought that if they wanted to fill up a pool, they'd NOT want the water meter!! You don't get charged for what doesn't show up on your meter... If that's the reasoning behind it, they'd be better off claiming that their own meter was stolen Re: Stolen Water Meter 2Jan 22, 2010 3:51 pm People also take them for the copper 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Stolen Water Meter 3Jan 22, 2010 5:40 pm somewoman I would have thought that if they wanted to fill up a pool, they'd NOT want the water meter!! You don't get charged for what doesn't show up on your meter... If that's the reasoning behind it, they'd be better off claiming that their own meter was stolen OR ... steal someone else's, replace yours with it, fill the pool ... then give the meter back and reconnect yours up Built a Tribeca 44 with the Big M Sales Accept 15/06/09, Contract Signed 24/09/09, Site Start 23/11/09, Slab 11/12/09, Frame 12/01/10, Roof 20/01/10, Lock-up 30/03/10, Fixing 30/04/10, Handover 27/08/10. Re: Stolen Water Meter 4Jan 22, 2010 6:43 pm jimmalenko somewoman I would have thought that if they wanted to fill up a pool, they'd NOT want the water meter!! You don't get charged for what doesn't show up on your meter... If that's the reasoning behind it, they'd be better off claiming that their own meter was stolen OR ... steal someone else's, replace yours with it, fill the pool ... then give the meter back and reconnect yours up This is crazy. Just replace your meter with a piece of copper pipe instead of someone else's meter. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Stolen Water Meter 5Jan 22, 2010 7:10 pm Desmondp My water meter was stolen from my block. We figure someone wants to fill up a swimming pool or something. Is this common ? Water corp are replacing it no cost so it's no drama Re: Stolen Water Meter 6Jan 22, 2010 7:20 pm we had ours stolen too. we think about 4mths into the build, but we didn't see it gone until we moved in and got a water bill (very high) and rang the water co to question the amount. They said, "oh, just go read your meter for us and we'll adjust it, we only made a high estimate to make you call us". I said ok, and low and behold, no meter anywhere... anyway, nearly four months later, after the water co came out at least three times, we had to make a report at the cop shop verifying the theft etc, finally, they have only now charged us appropriately (nil!! for that period). they said it happens sometimes, they didn't really say why. They are all numbered so keeping it once stolen would appear redundant, especially seeing as you don't have to buy it, the water co gives them to you free. so it's either for the copper or maybe filling a pool (as mentioned above), i never thought of that. (are you in Melb?) A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Stolen Water Meter 8Jan 22, 2010 8:14 pm Casa2 jimmalenko somewoman I would have thought that if they wanted to fill up a pool, they'd NOT want the water meter!! You don't get charged for what doesn't show up on your meter... If that's the reasoning behind it, they'd be better off claiming that their own meter was stolen OR ... steal someone else's, replace yours with it, fill the pool ... then give the meter back and reconnect yours up This is crazy. Just replace your meter with a piece of copper pipe instead of someone else's meter. I agree (playing devil's advocate) ... but to the naked eye on the footpath, what's going to raise more alarm bells ? A meter (any meter) is going to look like it's business as usual. Copper pipe and the absence of a meter is far more obvious that you are up to no good ! Built a Tribeca 44 with the Big M Sales Accept 15/06/09, Contract Signed 24/09/09, Site Start 23/11/09, Slab 11/12/09, Frame 12/01/10, Roof 20/01/10, Lock-up 30/03/10, Fixing 30/04/10, Handover 27/08/10. Re: Stolen Water Meter 9Jan 22, 2010 8:26 pm Casa2 jimmalenko somewoman I would have thought that if they wanted to fill up a pool, they'd NOT want the water meter!! You don't get charged for what doesn't show up on your meter... If that's the reasoning behind it, they'd be better off claiming that their own meter was stolen OR ... steal someone else's, replace yours with it, fill the pool ... then give the meter back and reconnect yours up This is crazy. Just replace your meter with a piece of copper pipe instead of someone else's meter. I agree (playing devil's advocate) ... but to the naked eye on the footpath, what's going to raise more alarm bells ? A meter (any meter) is going to look like it's business as usual. Copper pipe and the absence of a meter is far more obvious that you are up to no good ! This is crazy. Are you more likely to be noticed stealing someone's meter or not having a water meter. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Stolen Water Meter 10Jan 22, 2010 8:39 pm Casa2 jimmalenko I agree (playing devil's advocate) ... but to the naked eye on the footpath, what's going to raise more alarm bells ? A meter (any meter) is going to look like it's business as usual. Copper pipe and the absence of a meter is far more obvious that you are up to no good ! This is crazy. Are you more likely to be noticed stealing someone's meter or not having a water meter. Totally hypothetical scenario so I'm not gonna argue something so futile. Although I will point out that the person who stole Desmondp's water meter obviously didn't get caught taking it ... Built a Tribeca 44 with the Big M Sales Accept 15/06/09, Contract Signed 24/09/09, Site Start 23/11/09, Slab 11/12/09, Frame 12/01/10, Roof 20/01/10, Lock-up 30/03/10, Fixing 30/04/10, Handover 27/08/10. Re: Stolen Water Meter 11Jan 22, 2010 8:44 pm Quick get a pool installed before they replace the meter http://burbankascent2500.blogspot.com/ https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28503 [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/] HOUSE COMPLETED IN 119 DAYS PCI Complete Handover 24th August Re: Stolen Water Meter 12Jan 22, 2010 9:03 pm fill ya tank! A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Stolen Water Meter 13Jan 22, 2010 10:48 pm Our water meter was stolen too. I think it was a tradie, because for some reason it was removed at some stage and just left laying in the sand (for about 2-3 weeks) finally, I decided to just stick it in the electrical box.. and yep.. it was there for a day and then GONE!.. Still dont have a replacement yet. (happened about 2 months ago) Re: Stolen Water Meter 14Jan 23, 2010 7:59 am We were warned by our plumber of our Hot Water System getting stolen if no-one is living on the property. And yes it was stolen. (We were told it would be for the copper...incidently our water meter was stolen too the day after it was put on) Thankfully that is the builders problem. So far we have recieved money back for the Hot Water System and there is now just a temporary connection for the water and it will get replaced when we move in. Blog:http://tamdaz-themajestic.blogspot.com The Majestic - Henley - Adelaide Thread:https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20635 Day 200 23-4-10 Re: Stolen Water Meter 15Jan 23, 2010 9:06 am I mean surely it's a tradie to know "how" to remove and replace with a crappy meter... I just can't see the local junkie pulling that off (ie tools required and know-how to set up another one which allows water, just no meter!) what a scam. I might add that after many months of arguing with my water company they charged me ZERO for that period regardless of what the builders used because they couldn't prove I'd used anything - although I was happy to pay something, they just said "no worries, we charge you nothing" (yes, she was asian!!) hehe, nice lady tho! A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Stolen Water Meter 16Apr 28, 2010 12:12 pm We have just received a letter in the post from our builder asking us to pay an extra $250 to replace our water meter as apparently it has been stolen. (We have never noticed when we visit the block) Anyway, judging from all the comments above, no one else seems to have had to pay for replacing the water meter themselves whilst the builder technically "owns" the land (as they are building on it at the time). Its only $250 so I'm not gonna make a huge song and dance about it, but I thought this was why we paid for insurance during the build?? Anyone else been asked to pay for the replacement cost for a stolen water meter? McBecks "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." Building With New Generation Homes The Domain Vertu Estate, Harrisdale viewtopic.php?f=31&t=24884 - My building thread Roof is on! Plastering has commenced... Re: Stolen Water Meter 17Apr 28, 2010 1:14 pm Ours got replaced at no charge to us. I'm 99% sure it was one of the builders contractors who took it anyway. After it was disconnected (For whatever reason) and thrown in the sand for a few weeks I decided to put it in a plastic bag and put it in the electrical meter box that the tradies use. After one day, it was gone. I should have left it buried in the sand where it layed disconnect. Re: Stolen Water Meter 18Apr 28, 2010 11:58 pm McBecks We have just received a letter in the post from our builder asking us to pay an extra $250 to replace our water meter as apparently it has been stolen. (We have never noticed when we visit the block) EDIT - I just had a look at the WaterCorp site and found the following on the New Service Connection form: Quote: CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF A WATER AND SEWERAGE CONNECTION FOR THE ATTACHED PROPERTY With respect to this application, I agree and accept the following conditions, and where this form is signed by an agent of the owner, the agent shall inform the owner of these conditions, that: ... 3. You will keep the service or communication pipe and prescribed fittings in good repair and ensure the portion of the Corporation's service on your property and the meter is adequately protected from damage, and accept liability for the cost of repairing any damage or replacing the meter if stolen. So it appears that other people's builders were just wearing the cost... Re: Stolen Water Meter 19Apr 29, 2010 12:58 pm westy McBecks We have just received a letter in the post from our builder asking us to pay an extra $250 to replace our water meter as apparently it has been stolen. (We have never noticed when we visit the block) EDIT - I just had a look at the WaterCorp site and found the following on the New Service Connection form: Quote: CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF A WATER AND SEWERAGE CONNECTION FOR THE ATTACHED PROPERTY With respect to this application, I agree and accept the following conditions, and where this form is signed by an agent of the owner, the agent shall inform the owner of these conditions, that: ... 3. You will keep the service or communication pipe and prescribed fittings in good repair and ensure the portion of the Corporation's service on your property and the meter is adequately protected from damage, and accept liability for the cost of repairing any damage or replacing the meter if stolen. So it appears that other people's builders were just wearing the cost... Only if the builder has "informed the owner of these conditions". Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Stolen Water Meter 20Apr 29, 2010 5:58 pm I too have been a victim of a stolen water meter during our build. I didn't realise it was gone until I received a letter from the water board advising that I had denied them access to read the meter on my property and that if I continued the deny them access that my supply would be regarded as un-metered and charged accordingly. The cost of being an Un-metered water supply customer is huge apparently. I had a little laugh at the letter given I don't have a front fence and the meter was located in plain view on the front corner of my block and knowing that the meter was still in-place the day my builder took control of the site (I have photographic evidence to prove it) I wasn't too concerned at what the Water board were accusing me of. I rang them to get a replacement meter and was advised I had to ring the cops and report it stolen first. Then ring the water board back with my Police reference number and then I could have my request for a new meter logged. Apparently (in Sydney at least) meter stealing is widespread. The cop I spoke to said she takes heaps of calls per week for stolen meters. The dude turned up the next day to install my meter at no charge. Pity he did a crap job and the connection on the water board side of my meter was leaking and he had to re-attend to do it properly. 4 10824 This certainly doesn't look good. I would be engaging with an independent inspector to have a look at this. As for the unscheduled site visits, most builders are quite… 1 28326 |