When your business has to change location, you want to plan ahead to prevent disruption and productivity loss. These tips can help minimize the impact on your business during the relocation period.
- Know your cancellation costs
If you get your services from a competitive retailer, you have a contract for your energy plan. You may have to pay exit fees for ending the contract early. Ask your current retailer about any exit fees if you are unsure your billing is through a contract.
- Schedule to discontinue or transfer services with your utility companies in advance
Contact your electricity, natural gas, and water utility providers with the date to discontinue billing for the services. Different retailers have different notification periods: Regulated retailers may only require 3-5 days’ notice, while competitive companies may need up to 45 days.
Suppose you move out but still own the property. In that case, you are responsible for all monthly utility charges associated with the vacant location, including fixed costs such as administration, distribution, and local access fees – even if energy usage is low. Ask your retailer about de-energizing the property if you want to shut off the property's services and stop these charges. You may have to pay a reconnection fee once you decide to turn the services back on.
If you are selling your business property, schedule discontinuing service on the day the sale closes, and providing your retailer(s) with your forwarding address for your final utility bill.
- If you are leasing your business site, check if your leases overlap
If your business is moving and responsible for two sites at the same time – even for a short period – tell your retailer that there will be an overlap in billing. When you receive your statement for the two sites, it will likely be larger than your usual monthly bill.
- Confirm your utility service transfer or disconnection before your moving date
Shortly before your moving date, call each utility service again to ensure that your utility billing service will be discontinued or transferred to your new address as scheduled. Confirm if you need any appointments to turn on service at your new site.
- Pay your final utility bill
Make sure you have paid monthly charges for all utilities you were responsible for up to the move out date. Keep in mind that utilities bill several weeks after the actual usage. Expect a final bill within a month of the move out date. Contact your retailer if you did not receive this bill.
- Compare your retailer choices
For your new business site, you can sign with the regulated retailer or any of the over 30 competitive retailers in Alberta. Use our Cost Comparison Tool to compare plans and rates to find what options are available to you.