How long is a business energy quote valid for?
Often only until the end of the day, and sometimes only for a few hours. Business energy is priced off the live wholesale market, so a quote is a snapshot rather than an offer that sits on the table. Have your meter numbers, consumption and decision-maker ready before you ask for prices.
Last reviewed 2 September 2026 by Utilities Made Simple · independent, whole-of-market, supplier-paid — how we are paid
Why the clock is so short
When a supplier quotes you, it is pricing the volume it expects you to use against the wholesale market as it stands at that moment. That market moves during the day. Rather than carry the risk, suppliers put a short validity on the quote — commonly to close of business, sometimes shorter on volatile days, occasionally a few days on smaller supplies.
What makes a quote firm rather than indicative
- Your MPAN or MPRN, not just the address — see what is an MPAN?
- Actual annual consumption from a bill, rather than an estimate.
- Your contract end date, because the supplier prices the delivery period, not today.
- A valid letter of authority if a broker is collecting prices for you — see letters of authority explained.
Without those, what you have is an indication. It will change when the real data arrives, which is where a lot of "the price went up when I accepted" stories come from.
How to be ready
Gather the meter numbers, a recent bill and your end date before you start. Decide in advance what you would accept — a rate, not a feeling. Then when prices come back inside your range you can say yes the same day rather than watching a good number lapse. Prices are typically available up to twelve months ahead of your start date, so this is a decision you can make calmly, well before the deadline.
Ask an energy specialist
If your question is not answered above, send it to us. A specialist answers personally, normally within one working day. No sales call, no obligation — and if the answer is "your deal is fine", that is what you will get.
Want this checked against your own bill?
Email a recent bill to info@utilitiesms.co.uk and a specialist will check your rates, VAT, levies and contract end date against the live market — free, usually the same working day. If your deal is already good, we will tell you to keep it.