Arranging utilities before completion?

onthemend88

We are almost ready to complete and are in the middle of sorting out our utilities. 

We are currently with British Gas and have found them quite expensive so are looking to change provider as we are out of contract with British Gas.

However, most utility companies perform a hard credit search to the credit reference agencies - is this going to have an impact on our mortgage offer as I know we are not supposed to have any credit searches performed prior to completion. 

Thanks in advance. 

Lokolo

OK so firstly utilities isn't something you can start pre-completion.
You move in, you take meter readings. You contact the current supplier of the property and open an account with the readings. Same day / next day you can then sign up to a new provider and move across which will take a few weeks.
You can look for new providers before completing, but you cannot move until you have completed. 

greatcrested

Whether you are in or out of contract with BG is irrelevant. You are moving.

You will have a 'deemed contract' with the existing supplier at the new property, so contact them with meter readings on day 1.

Then consider your options.

Your current utility contracts need to be ended. Read the meters on your final day, ring, email, write to the companies giving them the readings and your new address for the final bill.

AnotherJoe

Please don't tell me you are one of those jump the gun buyers that end up cutting off their sellers internet several days beforehand.  Wait until you've moved in before messing with services that aren't yours. 

onthemend88

AnotherJoe said:

Please don't tell me you are one of those jump the gun buyers that end up cutting off their sellers internet several days beforehand.  Wait until you've moved in before messing with services that aren't yours. 

Yes, absolutely.

Can't wait to cut the invisible person's supply off before we move in to our new build. 

eddddy

When you move house, you don't take utility (gas, electricity, water) contracts with you.

You would terminate the contracts at your old house, and start up a contract with whoever happens to be supplying the new house. As your new house is a new build, the developer should be able to tell you who they've set up supplies with. 

You get the accounts set up once you've moved in. You can either:

• Get on the existing supplier's best deal (that should be possible immediately)
• Start the process of moving to a different supplier (which might take a little while)

Regarding broadband, check what the developer says. Many new developments have FTTP (fibre to the premises) which could be Virgin Media or Openreach. I'd guess there are special arrangements for getting that enabled.

I would have thought that the developer would provide an info pack covering all of the above.