Should be about one week before you start seeing something. Have they been kept moist? If the compost dries out after they have strted to sprout they will die.

Also you are better sowing runner beans directly into the ground in a deep trench with lots of compost or well rotted manure.

yes they are kept really moist.....I just scraped the top off the soil of one pot and seen a small shoot so fingers crossed. If I sow them straight into the ground when is the best time.

Now :-)