Comparison · 6 min read
Broker, consultant or going direct: what to ask
Three ways to buy business energy compared: who pays whom, which suppliers you see, how much of your time it takes, and what the rules require.
There is no single right answer. Each route suits a different business, and the labels are not always used consistently, so look at what each one actually does and how it is paid. We are a broker, so we have set out the trade-offs as fairly as we can.
| Compared on | Go direct to suppliers | Use a broker | Use a fee-paid consultant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays them | No one in the middle | Usually commission from the supplier, included in your rates | You, usually a fee agreed upfront |
| How you see the cost | Not applicable | Commission shown in the contract’s principal terms | The fee in their agreement |
| Choice of suppliers | The ones you contact | Their panel of suppliers | Varies; ask |
| Your time | High: you compare and negotiate | Low | Low to medium |
| Best for | Businesses with time and simple needs | Businesses that want offers compared and the switch handled | Larger businesses that want advice beyond buying, and are happy to pay for it |
What the rules say
Since 1 October 2024, Ofgem has required suppliers to show broker fees in the principal terms of all non-domestic contracts signed from that date. From December 2024, suppliers may only use brokers that are members of a redress scheme, the Energy Ombudsman or the UIA, for small-business contracts. The government intends to give Ofgem powers to regulate brokers directly, but as of October 2026 that is not yet in force. In 2026 Ofgem published voluntary good-practice principles for brokers.
Six questions for anyone who helps with your energy
- How are you paid, and by whom? How much, in writing?
- Which suppliers do you work with: a panel or the whole market?
- Do you receive different amounts from different suppliers?
- Will you tell me if staying put is the best option?
- What exactly do I sign, and for how long?
- Which redress scheme are you in, and how do I complain?
How we work
ITEA Limited trades as BizUp360 and is a broker. How we are paid. When you sign a contract we arranged, the supplier pays ITEA Limited a commission. For energy and gas this is usually included in your unit rate or standing charge. The amount is shown in your contract's principal terms, and we will tell you in writing, in pence per kWh and in pounds per year, before you sign. We compare offers from a panel of suppliers, not the whole market. We may receive different commission from different suppliers, and we will always tell you what we receive.