Gas and Electricity

Removal Costs

Property is, obviously, a major purchase and you’ll inevitably be faced with a whole host of fees and taxes, including mortgage fees, stamp duty, gas and electricity and many more. However, you may not realise that, by the time you factor in vehicle hire, insurance and fuel, it may be more economical to hire a removal company than to move your belongings yourself. To help you in this respect, we’ve put together the following tables of approximate removal costs, whether you’re moving locally or further afield.

Removal Costs per Hour

Number of Movers	Cost Per Hour (2 Hour Minimum)	Packing Cost (Per Hour & Per Packer)
1	£50 – 80	£20
2	£80 – 90	£20
3	£100 – 130	£20

Removal Costs per Day

Number of Bedrooms	Average Removal Cost	Extra Packing Fees
1	£150 – 350	£80 – 150
2	£400 – 550	£150 – 200
3	£650 – 750	£200 – 300
4	£850 – 950	£250 -350

Why Hire a Removal Company?

Bringing a seasoned removal firm on board for your move not only ensures the safe and efficient transfer of your belongings but also provides peace of mind. This also frees up your time, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your move, like managing your utilities.

Use this chance to contact your energy suppliers, old and new, take meter readings, and negotiate the best rates for your gas and electricity, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition to your new home!

When to Start Taking Care of Utilities When Moving?

Conventional wisdom dictates that you should contact your current energy supplier(s) at least 48 hours, but not more than 14 days, before your relocation. Consult your latest gas and electricity bills for contact details of your current energy supplier(s) or, failing that, for gas, contact the Meter Point Administration Service and, for electricity, contact your local electricity distribution company.

Inform your supplier(s) of your moving date and a forwarding address, to which they will send your final bill(s). Your supplier(s), in turn, will either ask you to take meter readings on your moving day or arrange meter readings to be taken.

What’s the Process of Ending Utilities Contracts in Your Old Home?

Take meter readings at your current property on moving day, note the readings and the date on which you took them and, if possible, take a photograph of your meters as a record. Pass your meter readings on to your energy supplier(s), who will close your account and send you a final statement to settle your account once your move is complete.

Typically, you will have 28 days to settle your account but, if you do not agree with your final statement, keeping a record of your meter readings should help to resolve any dispute with your energy supplier(s).

How to Set Up Gas and Electricity in Your New Home?

The process of setting up gas and electricity in a new home is similar to that of ending the utility contract in your previous property, only in reverse. Take gas and electricity meter readings as soon as is practicable when you move into your new home, contact the existing energy supplier(s) and provide your details, the meter readings and the date you moved in.

What is a Deemed Contract?

Note that in the absence of specific contractual terms most suppliers will automatically place you on so-called ‘deemed contract’ rates – or, in other words, one of the most expensive tariffs – when you first move in. Switching energy suppliers, which you can only do once you are responsible for your new home, typically takes about 21 days. Still, it is in your best interest to negotiate a better deal with your existing supplier(s), or find a new one, at the earliest opportunity.

4 Tips to Slash Your Utility Bills During a Move

If you have a fixed-term contract for gas or electricity, or both, with your existing supplier(s), it may be more economical, if possible, to transfer the contract to your new home, rather than pay a cancellation or exit fee. However, if you are in the last 49 days of any such contract, you can legally switch energy suppliers free of charge.

#1. Gas and Electricity Prepayment

If your new home has a prepayment, or prepaid, gas or electricity meter – the type that allows you to pay for energy in advance, by charging a key or card – contact the current energy supplier immediately. Request that the supplier remove any outstanding debt from the meter, so you are not liable for any money owed by the previous occupants of the property and arrange the delivery of a new prepayment key or card.

#2. Gas and Electricity Standard Meter

Thereafter, your course of action depends on whether you want to keep a prepayment meter or replace it with a standard meter. Prepayment meters are useful for managing gas and electricity costs but require effort to top them up, plus the risk of running out of fuel if you fail to do so regularly.

#3. Can I Change my Gas and Electricity Payment Mode?

Also, while prepayment, or pay-as-you-go, tariffs are capped by the government regulator, Ofgem, even the cheapest is still more expensive than paying for your fuel in arrears by direct debit. Energy suppliers will typically replace a prepayment meter with a standard meter, free of charge, on request, provided you are not in debt to them. Even if you are in debt, they are legally obliged to replace your prepayment meter, free of charge, if you are disabled or chronically ill.

#4. Book Early to Avoid Disappointment

Reputable removal companies often have a substantially full order book, so it is usually advisable to book your chosen company with plenty of notice and, ideally, as soon as you know your moving date.