Should you switch to using a combined bills service? While they claim to make the process of managing and paying your household bills simpler, there are both advantages and disadvantages to bundling your bills into one payment.
A combined bills service handles registering and managing all your household bills for you. You supply a few key details about your home and they handle the rest. This is very convenient, but it can also mean a lack of flexibility. Here are some of the other pros and cons of combined bills.
Pros of combined bills services
Know exactly how much you’ll pay
When you set up a combined bills payment, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be paying each month for all your utilities. This makes budgeting simpler, and also means you don’t have to worry about different payments going out throughout the month.
Some services set a monthly estimated payment for energy, overpaying in the summer so that your payment remains the same during the colder winter months. If you use more energy than predicted, you can then pay the remaining balance at the end of your contract.
Others offer ‘unlimited’ energy usage plans. This means you pay a fixed amount for your energy each month, regardless of usage - more on this below.
No monthly admin or chasing others for bills
One single, automatic monthly payment means no more time spent managing bills or being hit with late fees. Many combined bills services market specifically to students and house sharers because they allow everyone in the household to make separate payments for their own portion of the bill. That means no more awkward chats asking people to transfer you money, or being held responsible for someone else’s share of the utilities.
Save time comparing suppliers
The UK has dozens of different energy suppliers, options for broadband and potential choices for TV packages. Add on to that the legwork of making sure you’re registered correctly with your local Council and water supplier, and choosing the right utility options can add up to a huge headache.
A combined bills service will select from the available options for you, or offer you choices from a curated list, to massively cut down on the amount of research and comparison needed. You simply select the services you need and let them do the rest.
Cons of combined bills
No option to leave the contracts early
If you need to move out sooner than expected, you could be left on the hook for bill payments. Most combined bills services have a minimum contract length of at least 12 months. Some allow you to leave early while paying an exit fee, with others you’re legally responsible for bill payments for the whole contract, whether you live there or not.
Limited options for suppliers
Less time comparing suppliers is a definite plus if you’re short on time, but it also gives you less flexibility when choosing who supplies you. If you would rather shop around yourself for the best deals, opt for smaller companies with better customer service or choose an energy supplier based on their green credentials, you don’t have that option.
Saving energy won’t save you money
I said we’d come back to those unlimited energy plans! While being able to use however much energy you like without paying more definitely sounds appealing, the flipside is that you can’t save money on your bills by cutting your energy usage. If you use less energy than expected, you’ll still pay the fixed higher price.
You also won’t benefit if the energy price cap falls - even if average energy bills drop you’ll still be paying the same fixed price.
The alternative way to make bills simple
The good news is that there’s a way to combine the convenience of a combined bills service with the flexibility of handling everything yourself - Please Connect Me.
Our expert utility concierges will handle all the admin of setting up your utility accounts in your name, with the first bills coming directly to you. You’re still in control of what contracts you want, which suppliers you prefer and how long you want to be under contract - we just do all the work of making that happen.
You choose whether to pay via a combined bills service or have everything billed separately. You choose whether you want the cheapest energy tariff on the market or if renewable electricity or great customer service is also a priority. You choose which internet package works best after being shown all the options available to you.
