Contract Renewals
When Should You Renew a Business Energy Contract?
Renewal windows, notice periods and why the final fortnight is the worst time to buy.
6 min read · Updated 20 August 2026
Timing a business energy renewal well can be worth more than negotiating hard on the day. Most of the businesses we speak to who feel they've had a bad deal weren't beaten on price — they simply left the decision too late.
When suppliers start quoting
Most suppliers will provide a renewal quote from around 6 months before your contract end date, and some will quote 12 months out for larger or half-hourly metered sites. Getting an early indicative quote costs nothing and gives you a benchmark to compare against as the market moves.
Why the final fortnight is the worst time to buy
If you wait until your contract is about to lapse, you lose your negotiating position. Suppliers know you have limited time to shop around, and the risk of drifting onto deemed rates becomes real. There's also less time to compare more than one option properly, which usually means accepting whatever is quoted rather than choosing it.
A simple renewal timeline
A practical approach most businesses can follow without needing a dedicated energy manager:
- 9–12 months out: note the end date and request an early indicative quote if available
- 6 months out: begin comparing options properly across suppliers
- 3 months out: confirm a decision and begin the switch or renewal paperwork
- Contract end: new terms live, with no gap onto deemed rates
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