How long does it take to switch business energy supplier?

Two clocks, not one

People ask how long switching takes, but there are two separate timelines.

1. When you are allowed to switch. This depends on your contract.
2. How long the switch takes once you sign. This is the administration between suppliers.

Clock one: your contract

Ofgem says suppliers generally won't let you leave a fixed-rate contract early unless it has a termination clause or you pay an exit fee. Citizens Advice says your supplier should contact you about three months before a fixed term ends to set out your options. Variable, rolling, out-of-contract and deemed-rate customers can switch at any time. Microbusinesses cannot be charged a termination fee out of contract, and can't be required to give notice except under an evergreen contract, where notice is up to 30 days. Find your end date with our guide to finding your contract end date.

Clock two: the switch itself

Citizens Advice's guide for small businesses says you should be moved to the new supplier within five working days, and that you can ask the new supplier to switch on a specific date, such as the day your fixed term ends. Suppliers' own pages vary: British Gas Business, for example, mentions completing a switch within 5 days for out-of-contract customers who owe nothing, but its switching page also refers to a 21-day period during which the old supplier keeps supplying. To be safe, allow up to three weeks, and longer if there is a problem.

Household customers have separate switching guarantees with compensation if they are missed. Don't assume those household rules cover a business contract.

What slows a switch down

• Your current supplier objects, for example because of unpaid bills. Contact them promptly to find out why. See switching when you owe money.
• Wrong meter numbers or addresses: check your MPAN and MPRN.
• Missing consumption data or meter readings.
• Credit checks or a security deposit; see credit checks.

If a switch fails, our guide to why switches are rejected helps.

Worked timeline

Your fixed contract ends on 30 June. You get quotes in March, when the window is open, and sign in April for a start on 1 July. That leaves around 11 weeks of slack. Compare that to waiting until 20 June: if quotes, checks and the transfer took three weeks, you would run past your end date and you could drop onto expensive out-of-contract rates for a while.

Take a meter reading on the day the switch happens and keep a photo. It protects you against estimated final bills.

If you are moving premises

Switching and moving are different processes. When you take over a site, tell the supplier the date and take a reading, and try to agree a contract before you start using energy, since otherwise you may be placed on a deemed rate. Ofgem's advice is to check whether you can arrange a contract for the new site before you move. See setting up business energy for a new business.

Next steps

1. Check your contract end date and notice window.
2. Gather bills and meter numbers.
3. Follow our how to switch guide.
4. Read the best time to switch.

Biz Energy is independent and not affiliated with any supplier, broker or comparison site, and takes no commission. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.