If you’ve ever worked with an energy broker to find better gas or electricity rates, you might have heard the term 'uplift' at some point. It sounds complicated, but don’t worry - it’s pretty simple once you break it down.
So, what’s an uplift?
An uplift is basically how a broker gets paid. Instead of sending you a bill for their service, many brokers add a small margin to the price of the energy they’re offering you. That extra bit, the uplift, is their commission.
For example, if the actual energy price is 10 pence per kWh, a broker might add half a penny. So you’d be paying 10.5 pence per kWh without necessarily seeing a separate "broker fee" on your bill. The energy supplier pays the broker their share behind the scenes.
Why does this matter to you?
Because if you don’t know how much uplift is built into your rate, you might end up paying more than you need to. It’s always a good idea to ask your broker questions like:
- How much uplift is in my rate?
- Can you show me the breakdown?
- Are there other ways you charge, like a flat fee?
Being upfront about it keeps everything transparent and helps you make better decisions for your business.
In summary
Good brokers can save you a lot of hassle and even cut your energy costs - but you should always know how they’re getting paid. A quick conversation about uplift can save you money and help you build a stronger, more trusting relationship with your broker.
At Honest Utility Group we are up front and transparent about our uplift, and will act as your energy procurement team throughout the lifetime of your energy contract - we don't just disappear once the contracts are signed.
Need our help? You can reach our team by phone on 0191 7208 238 or by email at info@honestltd.co.uk
