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Businesses: How To Switch Your Water Supplier
In April 2017, it was announced that businesses in England would be able to switch water supplier, bringing the retail market in line with that of Scotland, where companies have been able to choose their own providers since 2008.
The first step you need to take in order to change supplier is work out your water usage and consumption. Take a look at your latest water bill to see exactly how much you’re using, how much you’re paying for it and how you make these payments. You may find it useful to work out your annual water usage, as well.
From there, you should review your current contract and think about whether or not the needs of your business are being met. Knowing the terms of the contract you’re currently on will help you negotiate a better deal, whether you want to just switch your water supply, your wastewater removal or both.
It might also be worth talking to your current supplier to see if the contract you’re on can be improved upon, so you can compare new deals and see what suits you best.
Now you’re ready to start shopping around for a different deal and a new supplier. Do some research into the different water and wastewater retailers around to see what contracts and offers they have available.. Visit their website, check comparison sites and get in touch with utility brokers and business support services for help and advice.
Your business does have to be eligible in order to switch supplier and it would be worth checking Ofwat’s guidance in this regard to make sure you can find a new provider before you waste any time starting the process only to find later down the line that you’re not actually eligible.
Once you’ve established that you can move forward, your chosen retailer will then begin the process of switching. While your request is being processed, you have at least seven days as a cooling-off period in which you can change your mind. You’re able to stop the switching process at any time and you don’t have to give a reason for doing so.
After the switch has been completed, you’ll be informed and your current retailer will send out your final bill for you to settle any remaining charges. Your next bill will be sent to you by your new retailer to pay as agreed.
Here at H2o Building Services, we can help facilitate the switch as it can be quite confusing choosing a water retailer if you’ve never done this before.
We have a team of experienced consultants on hand to help you every step of the way if you do decide to switch and we can carry out a full audit of your water use and current billing to compare charges with tariffs available from other suppliers, ensuring that you get the very best deal for your business. Get in touch with us today to find out more.