Good or bad idea to switch suppliers (gas etc) when moving?

twisty

Hi,

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on switching suppliers (eg for gas and electricity) at the same time as moving house?

We are in the process of buying a new house and are thinking that this might be a good opportunity to move to new suppliers for gas/electricity and perhaps for our tv/broadband/phone.

In our current flat we basically don't have any choice but to be with our current providers (long story). We are not particularly happy with a couple of the companies and would like to see if we can get a better deal.

But I wonder whether you think this is good or bad timing?

Would you do this when moving or would you move first, transferring your existing accounts over and then worry about it in a few months?

Are there any cost implications (eg connection charges) either way?

SwanJon

Gas/Electricity
The main issue would be that you don't know your consumption in the new property, making comparisons a bit more tricky. If it helps, the Ofgem average is 3,300 kWh/year for electricity and 16,500 kWh/year for gas. If you know you'll be low/high users adjust accordingly.

Your new house will already have a supplier, so there wouldn't normally be a connection charge (usually only if it doesn't have gas and you want it put in).
The vendors should be able to tell you who the existing suppliers are. On the day you move in, take readings and give them to these suppliers to open accounts in your name.
It can take 4-5 weeks to switch, the first two of which is a cooling off period. As letters will get sent to the property during the process, it might be easier to wait until you are in to start the switch.

TV/Broadband/phone
Not as up to speed on these, but from memory this can be done in advance - especially if you need to book an engineer to come round. Sure more knowledgeable people will be along soon.

MoneyMate

Just moved house, Had Virgin at old address said I was going to disconnect they came back with a package TV/Broadband/phone £10 a month less than what i was paying with free connection and Superhub .

Mr_Moo_2

Utilities - move in, with existing supplier - see how your consumption goes and then shop around for a deal.

Phone / broadband etc - depends on what contract you're on at the moment. Typically they will move you free of charge, as long as the new place has a line installed, but sometimes this will be at the price of signing a new extended contract, which may or may not be attractive. Have a chat and negotiate, which they normally will if you say you're leaving......

lessonlearned

Tried to be clever when we moved into rented and it backfired.

Everything was fine with phone/broadband but the gas and leccy suppliers for the previous tennants were a nightmare. Took me 3 months to sort it, with them threatening to take me to court.....

Eventually I got them to get their act together and they gave me 3 months free electricity by way of an apology.

We are moving into our next house in a few weeks. This time we are not going to risk switching immediately, we will stay with the existing supplier until the handover is complete. We can shop around for the best deal once the dust has settled.

Dan-Dan

same as LL , we will take the same supplier for both utlities with us to minimise the amount of stresses that are bound to be plentiful at the time , then shop around when things have calmed down

twisty

thanks for your advice, guys. I think we will move over with our existing suppliers for now and worry about it later.

From memory of moving last time, even staying with our current providers was a bit hassly but we were moving to a flat then, which has added complications.