If you're self-employed, a Contractor, or a Limited Company director, you're used to planning ahead and staying on top of your finances. So let's talk about something that could lead to substantial savings on your monthly outgoings - your remortgage.

Interest rates have been on a bumpy road. The Bank of England has made successive base rate cuts, bringing it down to 3.75% currently, and whilst further reductions remain possible, rates appear to be on hold for now. But uncertainty remains, and anyone who has watched rates over the past few years knows that optimistic forecasts don't always play out on schedule. For anyone with a fixed rate deal ending in the next year, now is absolutely the time to act - not to wait and see.

What happens if you do nothing?

When your fixed rate ends, your lender moves you onto their Standard Variable Rate (SVR). Right now, the average SVR sits at around 7% - far higher than the best fixed rates on the market. For most homeowners, that difference can add up to a substantial amount more every single month, for no reason other than not acting in time.

You don't have to let that happen.

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Why planning 12-months ahead makes all the difference

Advice for all homeowners is simple: speak to a broker up to 12 months before your current deal expires. Here's how the timeline works - and why it matters.

The first six months are about planning. This is the time to review your options, understand the market and get your finances in order with your mortgage broker. Then, once you enter the six-month window before your deal ends, we can formally apply and secure a new fixed rate offer on your behalf - locking in today's rate and protecting you against any further increases before your switch date.

But here's what most people don't realise: locking in a rate doesn't mean you're stuck with it. At Crunch Mortgages, we actively monitor the whole market right up to the day your deal expires. If rates fall and a better deal becomes available, we move you onto it. You get the protection of a rate lock, with the flexibility to keep improving it whilst our team handle all the paperwork for you - making the whole process smooth and stress-free.

"The biggest mistake we see self-employed borrowers make is leaving their remortgage too late. Start talking to a broker up to 12 months ahead, and once you're in that six-month window, we can lock in your rate and keep refining it right up to your switch date - protected against increases, and ready to benefit from any falls."

Rob Starr MBE, CEO, Crunch Mortgages

Why does this matter more if you're self-employed?

For Contractors, freelancers and Limited Company directors, a rejected mortgage application doesn't just cost time - it can impact on your credit file that can make the next application harder.

At Crunch Mortgages, our expert brokers will only submit an application when they are confident it will be approved. We specialise in complex income - day rates, dividends, retained profits - and have whole-of-market access to specialist lenders you won't find on the high street. Lenders who genuinely understand how you earn.

This combination of specialist knowledge and careful approach means rejections are highly unlikely, meaning more positive outcomes with far less stress for clients. And what’s more, you pay no broker processing fees upfront until after your case completes.

How do you make sure you're always on the best deal?

Beyond your next remortgage, there's a longer-term question: how do you know you're never overpaying?

We offer a free mortgage monitoring service that does exactly that. We track rates from thousands of lenders around the clock, alerting you whenever a better deal becomes available. You'll also receive a monthly update with an up-to-date valuation of your property - so you always know where you stand on equity.

Our free mortgage monitoring service is available to all crunch clients and already trusted by over 400,000 mortgage holders across the UK.

Sign up for free mortgage monitoring here

Ready to take control of your mortgage?

Rates will keep moving. Nobody can predict exactly where they'll go - but you can absolutely control how prepared you are. If your fixed rate deal ends in the next 12 months, speak to a Crunch Mortgages broker now. No upfront fees, no obligation - just specialist advice from people who understand your income and affordability.

Book your mortgage consultation here

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