First time buyer - needing help with utilities

Loui85

Hi

My boyfriend and I are in the process of buying our first house and we need to choose who to go with for our utilities bills. Neither of us have any idea about who to go with or which deals are best. I have tried searching online but can only find advice and websites about switching, none for starting from scratch. Can anyone help?

Thanks

tripled

You need to register with the existing provider when you move in. Once you have done that, you can use a comparison site to compare providers. Many provide a calculator that will estimate your usage for you. It usually takes around 4 weeks to transfer to the provider of your choice.

kjsmith7

One thing I would suggest is not to go on a Direct Debit straight away if you were planning on. Whilst it will obviously allow you to start saving towards your bill, you and the current (or new) supplier will have absolutely no idea as to what you're actually going to use in your new property. It's better to err on the side of caution and get one quarters bill before going on a Direct Debit if this is the payment method of choice for you, that way you'll know that not only is the amount you're being quoted fair, but that it'll actually cover you. Hope that helps!!

PS - first thing you do when you move in? Take a meter reading for both.

Magentasue

kjsmith7 wrote: »

One thing I would suggest is not to go on a Direct Debit straight away if you were planning on. Whilst it will obviously allow you to start saving towards your bill, you and the current (or new) supplier will have absolutely no idea as to what you're actually going to use in your new property.

Should be all right this time of year - DDs are normally set high if you start at the beginning of winter. When you move in, negotiate a DD, get the discount and look to switch. If you don't switch, read your meters every months and sbmit readings on https://www.imeasure.org.uk - it's not accurate but will give you an idea of how much you need to pay.

kjsmith7

Magentasue wrote: »

Should be all right this time of year - DDs are normally set high if you start at the beginning of winter. When you move in, negotiate a DD, get the discount and look to switch. If you don't switch, read your meters every months and sbmit readings on www.imeasure.org.uk - it's not accurate but will give you an idea of how much you need to pay.

I do agree with you, but at the same time, with no consumption history in that property, the Direct Debit may not get assessed in the first year (at BG) as they've nothing to copmare it to, and it's very important that you're not under paying. Personally, direct debits are the bane of my life :P