Right deal for first time buyers

adamj_davies

Hi
my girlfriend and i are about to move into our first house.
its a 1960's build 3 bed.

how do i go about finding the best deal for combined energy if we have nothing to compare it to?

can someone please suggest how to get the best deal and how we go about getting it?

thanks in advance

Adam.

mightyreds

Sorry I can't offer much help to you but I'm in the same position myself. We've just bought our first home, a 1930s semi. The previous owners were with npower so the say we moved in rang them and gave meter readings. We're on the standard tariff with them and the monthly direct debit for dual fuel is £77. But as you say we do not know how much we'll use to compare it online to see what is the cheapest for ourselves!

So any advice from anyone would be appreciated! Cheers.

Ps. Hope you don't mind me tagging along to your post!

mightyreds

kjsmith7 wrote: »

You'll have to register with the existing supplier at that property when you complete as you'll have a 'deemed contract' - this isn't a contract in the 'you're contracted to them' sense, it basically means you can use gas and electricity without having to wait however long to be connected. As soon as you're registered, you'll be put on Standard tariff unless you request otherwise, meaning you can move straight away if you want.

As you've said, the consumption issue is a real problem. You could stay with the existing supplier (see if they have a cheaper online tariff or a good fixed price deal, but remember that you're likely to be contracted so see if they have any non-contracted tariffs) for at least 6 months and then you'll have a good idea of what you use so you can switch (but again make sure you're not contracted as otherwise you'll pay an exit fee).

Hope that helps!

So with me I gave them my meter readings and I'm on the standard tariff with no contract time. I checked online and they have a websaver but to do the quote they still use the amounts used so I don't know actually how much I'd be using. I might as you say just go onto that one for a year and then at the end of that see what's cheaper.
Thanks

adamj_davies

i have found on Uswitch there is a option to chose if you have moved in or not.
i am going to look for the cheapest tariff and work from there.

thanks for all your help.

betjeman

Apologies for not following, does this mean that when I move into my new house I should:

Call current gas/electricity supplier and 'register'
Immediately change to new cheaper gas/electricity supplier

or is there a delay in the changeover which will mean I have to settle the first account after a few days?

Does this all have to be done on completion of house purchase, or can you register beforehand?

thanks in advance

macman

You have to register with the existing supplier before you can commence a switch. It takes 4-5 weeks to switch, so you're stuck with the existing supplier for that period.
Do it on the day you move in. If your completion is delayed, it'll complicate matters.

betjeman

I see. Thanks macman