Our advice for controlling your costs

There’s no escaping it, this is a time of unprecedented difficulty for individuals and for businesses. We’re speaking to customers who are juggling new working practices, or have staffing pressures, and who don’t necessarily have the time or resource to manage the running costs of their business. So, we’ve put together some top tips for how you can re-gain some control at this unpredictable time.

• Speak to your suppliers. Everyone understands times are tough. If revenues are declining, don’t just stop paying – that will only lead to greater problems down the line. Pick up the phone or drop them an email and discuss reduced payments or maybe a payment holiday. We are receiving regular updates from our suppliers, and they all have robust plans in place to support their business customers during this time. If you are finding it difficult to maintain your payments, they may be able to help.

• Meter reads. At a time when your energy consumption will no doubt have reduced significantly, providing your energy supplier with regular meter reads will ensure that your billing stays accurate, and you aren’t facing invoices based on over-estimated consumption. Of course, we appreciate that not everyone has access to their premises at present, so please only obtain reads where it is safe to do so. If you don’t have access, make a note to send a read to your supplier once you return, they will then be able to adjust any incorrect billing.

• Reduce fixed monthly direct debit payments. If you currently pay your energy supplier a fixed monthly payment, and you expect that your energy consumption will reduce, let your supplier know and they should be able to arrange a reduction in your payment amount.

• Consider reducing the frequency of your waste collections. If you have fewer staff on site, or your premises are closed, you will be producing much less waste. Contact your waste company to arrange a reduction in collections, which will lower your bills.

• Contact your water supplier – they too will be billing you based on your standard usage. If your premises are empty, or you have fewer staff on site, informing your water supplier will enable them to keep your billing as low as possible.

• Managed print services. As with your utilities, accurate reads will help keep billing low. So, if possible, take reads from your devices and send them to your supplier to ensure you are only being invoiced for what you use.

• Be extra aware of fraudulent activity. We have heard some examples of companies contacting businesses, claiming to be from their supplier, scaremongering that they need to rush to place contracts now. Don’t commit to anything without finding out the facts first. There is no need to panic.

• Keep an eye on your bills. It’s always good practice to review your bills regularly, but especially now, so that any costly anomalies can be nipped in the bud.

We hope that these simple tips will help. Of course, if you need help and support or more clarification with this please don’t hesitate to contact us:

T: 01233 662999

E: save@utilitas-solutions.co.uk

W: www.utilitas-solutions.co.uk