Some deals which look exceptionally good value may have hidden costs which you will need to be vigilant about. Check whether you have to pay for any hardware, equipment, installation, delivery or activation costs. These can rapidly add up and make a very attractive deal far less so.
If you don’t already have a telephone line at your property, you may be charged for line installation, even if the deal states that free setup is included. If you know that you will need a telephone line installing, we recommend speaking to a number of providers to compare prices as this could make a big difference to the overall price of your contract.
Many providers will also charge you the first month’s payment upfront which if you are still paying for the previous deal, will hit your pocket hard. However, if the new deal is considerably more attractive overall, this might only be a minor consideration.
Check if the contract includes exit fees. Whilst you will almost certainly have to pay if you terminate the contract early, some providers charge an exit fee regardless of the contract term so it’s worth checking this with their customer services department if it is something that worries you.
Some providers require that all equipment is returned to them at the end of the contract and will bill you if you do not return it within the stated timescales.
Finally, some providers will increase prices during the term of your contract. Some may state a fixed amount, others might choose to increase the costs in line with the Bank of England interest rate. If you don’t want to be surprised by an unexpected change to your broadband costs mid-contract, ensure that you select a contract with fixed prices for the full term.
If, after you’ve taken out a contract, you find that you were mis-sold the package or you are charged for something that you were not made aware of, you can complain to Ofcom, [2] and seek support in rectifying the situation.