How Business Utility Hub Works: Fees, Commission and Transparency
When you use a business energy consultant, you should understand how the service is funded, which suppliers are being compared and what happens if something goes wrong.
Business Utility Hub believes that information should be clear from the start. This page explains how we are paid, how supplier commission works, whether there are any upfront customer costs, how we approach compliance and how we handle complaints.
How does Business Utility Hub make money?
Business Utility Hub is paid commission by the energy supplier you choose when you agree a business gas or electricity contract through us.
This means our remuneration comes from the supplier rather than through an upfront fee charged to you for our comparison and switching service.
The presence of commission does not, by itself, tell you whether an energy deal is competitive. Supplier pricing, contract length, market timing, usage and other commercial terms all affect the final offer. A quote arranged through Business Utility Hub can still be more competitive than a direct supplier renewal offer, although this will depend on the options available at the time.
If you want to understand how we are paid on a particular contract, ask us. We can explain our commission structure and how it relates to the agreement you are considering.
How do energy suppliers pay brokers?
Energy suppliers can remunerate brokers and other Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) for introducing and supporting business customers.
With Business Utility Hub, the supplier you choose pays our commission. Depending on the supplier and contract structure, broker remuneration may be reflected within the commercial price of the energy agreement rather than billed to you separately as an upfront charge.
We believe you should understand that arrangement before making a decision. Ofgem's current good-practice guidance for energy intermediaries says customers should receive clear information about commission or fee arrangements and how those costs are paid.
Why should I use a broker rather than going direct (use a business energy supplier)?
- We understand your energy usage and contract position.
- We compare a selected panel of Ofgem’s regulated business energy suppliers and tariffs. We check business energy prices every day.
- We’ll look at energy tariffs, unit rates, standing charges and contract terms, and explain them clearly so you can choose the energy contract that best fits your business.
Does Business Utility Hub charge an upfront fee?
There is no upfront cost and no obligation for using Business Utility Hub's comparison and switching service.
Our remuneration comes from the supplier you choose. We do not describe the service as "free" because it is important that customers understand how Business Utility Hub is paid.
Where you want more detail about the commercial arrangement, we will explain it clearly so you can consider the overall contract on an informed basis.
Will Business Utility Hub disclose its commission?
Yes. If you ask us to explain our commission structure, we will provide that information.
Transparency is part of how we work. We want you to understand the contract you are considering, the supplier involved and how Business Utility Hub is remunerated for its role in arranging and supporting the agreement.
We also explain the key contract terms before you decide whether to proceed. That includes matters such as pricing, contract length, start date, renewal terms and any relevant termination or exit conditions.
How does Business Utility Hub choose which suppliers to compare?
Business Utility Hub works with a selected panel of Ofgem’s regulated business energy suppliers. We do not present our service as a comparison of every supplier in the UK market.
Our supplier relationships allow us to compare suitable gas and electricity contracts, explain the available options and manage the switching or renewal process. You can see more about the businesses we work with on our energy partners page.
When we present options, our aim is to give you clear information about the contracts available through our panel so you can decide which, if any, is right for your business. There is no obligation to switch.
Our approach to compliance and customer protection
Business Utility Hub operates as a Third-Party Intermediary in the UK commercial energy market.
We follow the laws and requirements that apply to our activities and align our customer processes with current Ofgem good-practice guidance for energy intermediaries. That guidance focuses on three core outcomes: giving customers clear and timely information, treating complaints fairly and promptly, and making sure commission or fees represent fair value for the service provided.
Ofgem is currently developing a future framework for direct regulation of TPIs. Until those rules are introduced, its July 2026 guidance sets out the standards it expects intermediaries to work towards. We keep our processes under review as the regulatory framework develops.
Our approach includes:
- Explaining our role and the service we provide
- Being clear about the suppliers we compare
- Presenting contract information accurately
- Explaining commission and fee arrangements
- Giving customers clear information before they commit
- Maintaining a complaints process that is easy to access and understand
You can read Ofgem's current guidance for energy intermediaries for more information about the standards it expects across the sector.
What happens if you have a complaint?
We take complaints seriously and aim to handle them fairly, promptly and consistently.
If something has gone wrong, we want to understand the issue, investigate it and work towards a clear resolution. Our complaints process explains how to raise a concern, how we review it and how it can be escalated if you are not satisfied with the initial response.
You can read our full complaints policy for the detailed process and contact information.
Our policy also explains when an unresolved complaint may be referred to the Energy Ombudsman for independent review.
What you can expect from Business Utility Hub
Transparency should apply throughout the relationship, not just when a contract is signed.
When you work with Business Utility Hub, you can expect:
- Clear explanations of business energy contracts and supplier terms;
- Transparent information about how we are paid
- No upfront fee for our comparison and switching service
- Comparison across our selected supplier panel
- No obligation to switch
- A dedicated account manager who understands your sites and contract dates
- Support with the switching process from start to finish
- A clear complaints process if something goes wrong
Our aim is to make business energy decisions easier to understand while being open about our commercial relationships and the service we provide.
If you have a question about our fees, commission, supplier panel or how we work, speak to Business Utility Hub directly.