How to Request an Adjustment on a Utility Bill

Just the same as anybody with a budget, yours includes each and every utility that you pay. For most, this means gas, water, sewage, electric, and cable.

While the cost of each can change by the month, often based on factors such as the weather, you have a basic idea of how much each expense will set you back.

And then something happens. You get a crazy high bill in the mail and you wonder what’s gone wrong. This can be frustrating on many levels, including the fact that it throws your budget for a curve.

Rather than dwell on the bill, pick up the phone and contact your utility company. Let them know that the bill is not in line with what you usually pay. Furthermore, explain that you didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to lead to the higher expense.

You can expect the representative to ask you a few questions. For example, did you use more water than usual? Do you have any leaks inside your home? Has your toilet been running without you flushing?

If you are confident that you did nothing on your end to contribute to the bill, they may offer to review your account for an adjustment. If they don’t, you can always ask if this is a possibility.

There is no guarantee that the company will adjust your bill, however, a review will at least give you some peace of mind. If they agree that you are right, an adjustment credit may be coming your way in the near future.

Mistakes happen all the time. For instance, it is possible that the water or electric company made an error when reading your meter. The first step may be a re-read, but there could also come a point when an adjustment is made.

Overall, requesting an adjustment on a utility bill is all about keeping an open line of communication. You can’t get what you want if you don’t ask.

Have you tried this in the past? How did it work out for you?