Quickest electricity supplier to fit 3 phase smart meter to a new supply

[Smallholdertoo]

Our 3 phase 42kVa supply is due to be installed on 12th December.  It is to be installed in a new stable shed but will power our new annexe when it is built.  On contacting Octopus I was told it will be more than 4 weeks before the smart meter can be fitted.  I will find out the first available fitting date tomorrow.  

 

I believe that when you swap electricity suppliers you now do not need a new smart meter. I guess, I could get one of the other other electricity suppliers to fit the meter and then swap to Octopus once meter installed (and new PVs are on the roof).  My question is - Does anyone know of other suppliers that are quicker to install 3 phase smart meters ?

 

Thanks for your help, in advance.

[JohnMo]

35 minutes ago, Smallholdertoo said:

Does anyone know of other suppliers that are quicker to install 3 phase smart meters

That's how long is this piece of string question, depends on the workloads and that varies day to day from company to company and area to area. But 4 weeks sounds quite quick, I was waiting for 2 months for my first single phase, and that didn't work, nor the second or third.

[Canski]

British Gas did mine. They were set up to come the day after connection and to my surprise came on time and did a great job. Since then they have been appalling so I’m moving suppliers. 

[Smallholdertoo]

50 minutes ago, Canski said:

British Gas did mine. They were set up to come the day after connection and to my surprise came on time and did a great job. Since then they have been appalling so I’m moving suppliers. 

What was the lead time when you put in the order to when the meter was installed?

[Canski]

24 minutes ago, Smallholdertoo said:

What was the lead time when you put in the order to when the meter was installed?

It was a while ago but I think about 2 weeks. 

[Kelvin]

4 weeks is fast. I was 6 months from request to working electricity. Also Octopus 

[Smallholdertoo]

We didn't need to use British Gas as when Octopus rang, we explained that National Grid should be fitting the supply on the 12th of  December. The man from Octopus replied that there was an appointment for the 13th if that would work for us.  So hopefully we should have a supply in 3 weeks.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Sometimes I just worry too much!

[bmj1]

22 hours ago, Smallholdertoo said:

We didn't need to use British Gas as when Octopus rang, we explained that National Grid should be fitting the supply on the 12th of  December. The man from Octopus replied that there was an appointment for the 13th if that would work for us.  So hopefully we should have a supply in 3 weeks.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Sometimes I just worry too much!

You've been well organised and avoided a headache. Well done.

[LiamJones]

If you “live” there, you can request an emergency appointment on the day the DNO (re)connect you 

[RossMcO]

Maybe a naive question, but...

Can any supplier supply to any smart meter?

 

Fastest quote I have to install new meter in the Trossachs is 4-8 weeks from British Gas.  Octopus 1-2 months (but didn't inspire any confidence), Ovo 3-4 months.

If I choose British Gas to install, and it gets installed by end January, can I use the time between now and then to sort out supplier and tariff?  

 

Typical for my experience with the various suppliers over the week since I got my address confirmed, and released the MPAN, British Gas wouldn't offer any tariff information until I booked the meter, and I wasn't sure if installing the meter was a commitment to supply.

 

Been lurking for a while - we're building in the Trossachs, but with a main contractor rather than doing work ourselves.  Site is fascinating, have learned a lot without contributing so far.  

 

Cheers,

Ross.

[bmj1]

 

1 hour ago, RossMcO said:

Maybe a naive question, but...

Can any supplier supply to any smart meter?

 

Fastest quote I have to install new meter in the Trossachs is 4-8 weeks from British Gas.  Octopus 1-2 months (but didn't inspire any confidence), Ovo 3-4 months.

If I choose British Gas to install, and it gets installed by end January, can I use the time between now and then to sort out supplier and tariff?  

 

Typical for my experience with the various suppliers over the week since I got my address confirmed, and released the MPAN, British Gas wouldn't offer any tariff information until I booked the meter, and I wasn't sure if installing the meter was a commitment to supply.

 

Been lurking for a while - we're building in the Trossachs, but with a main contractor rather than doing work ourselves.  Site is fascinating, have learned a lot without contributing so far.  

 

Cheers,

Ross.

 

I work for one of the UK retail energy suppliers. DM me and I can potentially get this done much faster for you.

[Canski]

7 hours ago, RossMcO said:

 

 

Typical for my experience with the various suppliers over the week since I got my address confirmed, and released the MPAN, British Gas wouldn't offer any tariff information until I booked the meter, and I wasn't sure if installing the meter was a commitment to supply.

 

We had meters installed by British Gas and they were spot on up to that point.   When we raised some issues concerning the smart meter they turned to shite. Some of the idiots I spoke to in their call centre were absolutely useless. Remembering that they had no exit fee I have just swapped to Octopus who have been OK up to now.