a little advice needed

ieimimiai

Hi im currently buying my first home and so have never delt with gas and electric issues before, i have been adviced that the vendors do not have a report of central heating service done in 2009 so may want to get one done myself, i was just wondering what the best and cheapest way of doing this is? do i go i call the providers of the gas and electric to come do this or is it better to get someone else in who may be cheaper and if so whats the best way to find them? eg any websites that can compare?

Also when i first move in i'd like to check that we are getting the best deal, but if i decide to switch do i still have to call current providers to tell them the reading etc and be billed by them for the first couple of months as i understand it takes a few months to switch?

Thanks for any help you can give,

macman

Find a local recommended GSR RGI and get them to service it annually. Don't bother with Homeserve/BG annual service contracts, as they are a waste of money and the service is often dire.
Take meter readings on day one and call the existing supplier to register-you are on a deemed contract with them from the time you move in. Once you have done that, you can initiate a switch as soon as you like-it takes 4-5 weeks typically. Find your best tariff via a comp site and then switch using a cashback site.

ieimimiai

thanks, thats very helpful, any advice on price range i should expect to pay to have the service done?

macman

Boiler service starts at around £60ish dependent on area, you will pay more in London and the south east.

Pincher

ieimimiai wrote: »

thanks, thats very helpful, any advice on price range i should expect to pay to have the service done?

Anywhere from £60 to £300. Some boilers need new jets, gaskets, etc., others just a once over.

Say on the phone you want a gas safety certificate, and the cowboys tend to make their excuses and not come. It does mean paying VAT, of course.

ieimimiai

Thanks for you replies, i feel confident in knowing what im doing now, next task to sort out phone line etc, but thats for another day and another thread!