New house switch query

mac.d

As soon as you've contacted the current suppliers to register with them & supply them with opening readings, can you start a switch straight away, or do you need to wait on them sending you the welcome letter or anything?

Also, due to current coronavirus, as the new house is currently empty and I won't be moving into it right now, the usage is likely to be fairly low (will be getting some work done on it before I move in), does it make sense to look for a 'temporary' supplier with a low standing charge, then switch again when I actually move in? Looking at comparisons, Outfox the Market appear the best option. I'd normally never touch them with a barge pole, so should I in this instance. Or do I just switch to a supplier I'd want to stay with when I move in, as it'll be a couple of months at most (I hope) when I move?

MWT

You can start your switch right after you have registered with the current supplier.

Do make sure you've changed to their cheapest tariff without an exit penalty as well, as you don't want to be sitting on a deemed tariff while waiting to switch.

I would be inclined to pick the supplier you want to stay with.

By the time you've allowed for the time it will take to switch away from the current supplier it isn't worth going to somewhere else in between just to save a little on the standing charge.

mac.d

Thanks MWT, unfortunately as its British Gas, there is nothing showing available without an exit fee, so three weeks of sky high prices! 

Gerry1

mac.d said:

there is nothing showing available without an exit fee

I suspect the keyword is 'showing'; I doubt that they're allowed to force you on to a tariff with exit fees in order to escape a deemed tariff.  Ask them whether there's a standard variable tariff.  Most of their tariffs aren't shown on the BG website, only on various comparison sites, so also have a look at those.

[Deleted User]

mac.d said:

Thanks MWT, unfortunately as its British Gas, there is nothing showing available without an exit fee, so three weeks of sky high prices! 

Hi,

if doing work on the house, don't think you'll have a sky high bill, shouldn't need heating, maybe using electric for kettle or power tools.

mac.d

Cheers all, interestingly the British Gas agent online tried to steer me onto one with £30 exit fees despite me specifically asking for a standard tariff with none. The sky high bill is just paying 26p standing charge for a few weeks, as yes, there will likely only be some electric used and no heating. Even the fixed tariff with £30 exit fees is 25p standing charge!