It's amazing how much money people will spend to do things wrong. I mean really... that wood bulkhead isn't cheap, and neither is the stonework on the foundation wall where the meter is mounted.
If they didn't want the meter mounted on the outside for cosmetic reasonos, they could've went with an indoor meter pan in the basement and a remote read. Or put the meter pan behind some bushes near the property line and go underground to feed the house... all of which would likely be cheaper than this.
Unreal...
Joe