The recent introduction of a private market for water in the UK has driven water suppliers and water retailers into a battle for supremacy over their controlling market shares. This has led to many different offers and deals on business water that have made it hard to tell if you are getting a good deal or not.
If you run any business operation or organisation in the UK, you must use business water. It would be best if you always looked for a better deal. Don’t you think?
After all, why spend more on supplying your business with water than you need to?
This article will discuss why and when you should switch water retailers for your business in 2022.
Billing Model That Isn’t Clear
If this is the first time you’ve looked at who supplies your business water in quite some time, we don’t blame you. You are in the same position as a lot of other UK businesses.
It is also fairly common to look at your water bill and not be particularly sure what you are paying for. Some water utility bills can be very complex to break down if you aren’t used to them.
If you are unsure what you are being billed for, why you are being billed, or if your water supplier or retailer’s billing model isn’t crystal clear to you, start asking questions.
Asking them questions about every section of the bill will help you understand why you are being charged and, if your bill is rather high, why this is the case.
Most suppliers or retailers will be able to give you a detailed breakdown of every cost that contributes to the accumulative total you pay.
If this isn’t the case, they don’t clarify the bill, or you can reach them to clarify it, then it’s time to consider switching.
Many unscrupulous water retailers or suppliers will inflate their costs when they don’t need to make more money. Asking direct questions about their billing process is a good way to uncover if this is the case.
Certain red flags to look out for are inflated admin costs or a larger-than-average standing charge.
Customer Service Is Poor
This next reason to consider switching was briefly mentioned in the last section. If you find it difficult to contact their customer service team, it may be best to move on and find a new supplier or retailer.
An outstanding customer service team is the cornerstone of any business, and if they don’t have good service, it shows a lack of professional organisation and a lack of care for the people they are meant to serve.
But poor customer service can also mean getting juggled around departments without getting a clear answer or a distinct lack of direct contact methods (outside an email address).
All these factors are signs of a company that doesn’t care and hasn’t invested in decent customer service. That is a huge red flag to avoid.
Your Bills Aren’t Accurate
This may seem like an obvious reason to switch to another water retailer or supplier, but if your bills don’t match up with the quantity of water that you use, then you should consider switching to another company.
While initially, this may seem like a company inflating its prices, it can also be down to your water system.
If your bill doesn’t reflect how much water you’ve used, it can be a sign of a leak, even a small one, costing you extra money.
However, the former could be true, and it could be a water company inflating its prices with hidden fees.
If you are in this situation, always get a plumber to take a look for a second opinion. If your pipes, taps, faucets, and other water systems are in tip-top shape, it’s time to look for an alternative business water retailer. Always be sure to question your current supplier about it to see if it may be a fault on their end.
Often your bills may go up when you think they shouldn’t, and a conversation with your water retailer is the best way to hash out why and find a solution.
Consolidation Of Bills
For those who run multiple establishments, you may want to consolidate all your bills into one simple bill for ease of payment. With some suppliers, this isn’t possible, so it’s always something to consider as more reputable water retailers and suppliers offer this service.
Bill consolidation is a great way to monitor for the above factors and assess if your water retailer is right.
Summary
Taking your business water seriously is a great way to save on your monthly business bills. Make every penny go further and ensure you only pay for what you use.
