First time buyers & looking to get quotes, but how with no history?

JustAnotherSaver

So you go on comparison websites (go compare, moneysupermarket & all the rest) or even on the direct websites.

It asks you what your current bill or usage is.

Well as i live at home with my mum, i don't have a current bill or usage. Not only do i not have a current bill or usage, i don't have a clue what it may or may not be if i was to have one.

So when it's asking me this, how on earth do i answer as i don't currently have an energy plan?

matelodave

All you need to do is use an estimate. Try using what the industry suggest 3300kw for electricity and 16500kw for gas. You don't need to be a customer of any supplier to use the comparison sites just suggest any tariff you like from any supplier to get a base price.

Cardew

So if you don't know what your energy consumption will be, how do you expect the Utility company to know?

Are you going to move into a tiny bedsit or a 8 bed mansion?

When you move into a property, you will have to initially use the company supplying gas/electricity as you are on a deemed contract. You can then ask the previous occupant, or the utility company, or neighbours about their consumption. Or Guess!

JustAnotherSaver

Cardew wrote: »

So if you don't know what your energy consumption will be, how do you expect the Utility company to know?

Are you going to move into a tiny bedsit or a 8 bed mansion?

When you move into a property, you will have to initially use the company supplying gas/electricity as you are on a deemed contract. You can then ask the previous occupant, or the utility company, or neighbours about their consumption. Or Guess!

I don't expect them to know. What i'm doing is trying to find out what people do when buying for the first time. Is there some sort of guideline, some template, some calculator etc that people can use? Do people go to British Gas (example) & say i'm a new customer, bill me what you like? Or whatever else. Basically i'm just trying to find out, that's all.

Anyway it's a 3 bed semi we're moving into & IIRC the previous occupant is with British Gas.

NeoVR2k6

Have a mess with the comparison sites!... just accept the defaults for a 3 bed semi - will do as a starter for 10.

Your options are limited at this time of year - you have to sign up for BG in the short term as deemed contract. and energy tarriffs are all over the place being in the middle of recent announcements..

ValHaller

NeoVR2k6 wrote: »

you have to sign up for BG in the short term as deemed contract

The deemed contract is with the supplier immediately before taking over the premises. Which is probably not BG

Cardew

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I don't expect them to know. What i'm doing is trying to find out what people do when buying for the first time. Is there some sort of guideline, some template, some calculator etc that people can use? Do people go to British Gas (example) & say i'm a new customer, bill me what you like? Or whatever else. Basically i'm just trying to find out, that's all.

Anyway it's a 3 bed semi we're moving into & IIRC the previous occupant is with British Gas.

If you can't get an idea from previous occupant/BG/neighbours, I would initially put in the UK average of 16,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity into a comparison website, and then variations on that estimate to see which tariff is best for your needs.

JustAnotherSaver

ValHaller wrote: »

Which is probably not BG

Just wondering why so?

We've had paperwork from solicitor detailing the suppliers. As said earlier - British Gas.

Pincher

You are not that special, just use 3,300/16,500kWh, which is the medium user assumed by OfGEM.

ValHaller

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Just wondering why so?

We've had paperwork from solicitor detailing the suppliers. As said earlier - British Gas.

OK, I have rescanned and see where you say it is BG - first time around I only saw 'for example BG'.

JustAnotherSaver

ValHaller wrote: »

OK, I have rescanned and see where you say it is BG - first time around I only saw 'for example BG'.

Ah right. No worries, just crossed wires then.