Billing audit
Estimated reads, duplicated charges and meters that were never removed. Errors here can go back years.
Business water
Business Water
The business water market is open to competition — many firms have never switched. Compare retail charges, consolidate billing and cut waste.
- 2017
- market open to competition
- Retail
- + wastewater reviewed
- £0
- cost to compare
Why it is different
Most businesses have never switched water retailer
The non-household water market in England opened to competition in 2017. The water itself still arrives through the same pipes from the same wholesaler — what you are choosing is the retailer who bills you and handles your account.
- Wholesale charges are set regionally; the retail element is competitive.
- Wastewater and surface water drainage are often billed without being checked.
- Estimated reads and outdated site data quietly inflate bills for years.
- Multi-site businesses can consolidate to one retailer and one invoice.
What sits inside a water bill
Illustrative
Wholesale charges
set regionally
Wastewater & drainage
worth auditing
Retail margin
competitive
Proportions vary by region, site and usage — a simplified illustration, not a quote. The wholesale element is set for everyone; the retail margin and the accuracy of what you are billed for are what a review can move.
Where the savings come from
Water savings are usually about accuracy
Surface water drainage
If rainwater from your site does not drain into the public sewer, you may be paying for something you do not use.
Retail margin
The competitive slice is smaller than in energy, but it is real — and it applies to every invoice, every year.
One retailer, one invoice
Multi-site businesses can consolidate accounts, align billing and stop chasing several retailers at once.
Since April 2017, businesses in England have been free to choose their water retailer — the company that bills you, reads your meter and handles your account. Scotland has had an open market since 2008. Yet a large number of businesses have never switched, and are still with the retailer they were handed by default.
What switching water can do
- Lower retail charges — the margin your retailer adds on top of wholesale is where competition bites.
- Consolidated billing — one account and one bill across multiple sites, instead of a patchwork.
- Better service and meter reads — accurate billing rather than estimates that build up nasty surprises.
- Water efficiency — spotting leaks, wrong meter sizing and drainage charges you should not be paying.
The water supply itself does not change — the same wholesaler delivers it through the same pipes. Only the retail account moves, so there is nothing to physically switch off and no risk to supply.
Ready to see the market? Start a free, no-obligation comparison and we will come back to you with the options worth considering — usually the same working day.
How it works
Four steps, and most of the work is ours
You send a bill and answer a couple of questions. We do the market search, the supplier chasing and the paperwork.
01
Send us a bill
A recent bill carries everything we need in one place: meter numbers, current supplier, end date, consumption and the rates you are on today.
02
We search the market
You sign a Letter of Authority so we can speak to suppliers for you. We take your usage out to the market and push for the best commercial rates.
03
You decide
One clear comparison, with our commission on each option stated up front. If your existing renewal offer is already competitive, we will tell you.
04
We handle the switch
Your new supplier takes over when the current contract ends. No interruption, no engineer visit, and we diarise the next renewal for you.
Worth knowing
The renewal letter is an offer, not the market
Suppliers price the same business differently depending on who asks and when. Here is what changes when somebody asks properly.
| What happens | Accepting the renewal letter | Going to the whole market |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the price | Your current supplier, unchallenged | Suppliers competing for the contract |
| Number of prices seen | One | Twenty-plus, priced on your actual usage |
| If you do nothing | Out-of-contract or deemed rates | We come back to you before the end date |
| Commission visibility | Not usually stated | Disclosed before you sign |
| Effort from you | Sign and hope | One bill and a short conversation |
Suppliers we compare across the market
Supplier names and logos are the property of their respective owners and are shown to indicate the market we search. We are an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any supplier.
Straight answers
Business energy, explained properly
The questions we get asked every week — answered without the sales spin.
How do I switch business energy supplier?
It is more straightforward than most people expect, and you will not lose supply at any point — the wires and pipes stay exactly the same, only the company billing you changes.
- Send us a recent bill so we can see your meter numbers, current rates and consumption.
- You sign a Letter of Authority, which lets us talk to suppliers on your behalf.
- We search the market and come back to you with the options worth considering.
- You pick a deal, sign the contract, and your new supplier handles the switch.
The changeover happens on the day your current contract ends. Nothing is switched off and no engineer needs to visit.
When should I start looking at renewal?
Most business energy contracts let you agree new rates well before the end date, and many suppliers will quote up to 12 months ahead. Starting early gives you time to watch the market rather than accept whatever lands in front of you.
Leaving it too late is the expensive mistake. If a contract ends without a new one in place you roll onto out-of-contract or deemed rates, which are typically among the highest a supplier charges. If that has already happened to you, it is usually worth moving quickly.
What do I need to get a quote?
Ideally a recent energy bill — it carries everything we need in one place:
- Your MPAN (electricity) or MPRN (gas) — the long meter reference on the bill.
- Your current supplier and contract end date.
- Annual consumption in kWh, plus your current unit rate and standing charge.
If you cannot find a bill, we can still get started with your business name, address and postcode.
How much does it cost to use Manage My Utilities?
There is no fee for you to pay us directly. Like most business energy brokers, we are paid a commission by the supplier you choose, which is built into the unit rate on your contract.
We will tell you what that commission is before you sign anything. Under Ofgem rules, suppliers and brokers are expected to be transparent about third-party costs, and you are entitled to ask for that figure on any quote you receive from anyone.
Which suppliers do you compare?
We work across the business energy market rather than a single panel — that includes the large legacy suppliers and the business-only specialists who often price better for smaller commercial sites.
No broker has access to literally every tariff in the market, and any that claims to should be treated with caution. What we can tell you is which suppliers we approached and what each one came back with.
No cost, no obligation
Find out what you should be paying
Send us a recent bill or answer four quick questions. We will tell you honestly whether you are on a good deal — and if you are, we will say so.