Procurement / Field guide 03
Give yourself time to decide before a contract renews.
Start with the agreement that needs attention first. Knowing who owns the decision, what the supplier promised and when notice is due makes it easier to decide whether to renew, renegotiate or compare offers.
Request a callback →What to look for
Three checks to make.
What to have handy
The relevant agreement, the latest bill and any renewal letter. You can start with the supplier’s name if the dates aren’t to hand.
- Find the decision date
Read the renewal and notice terms together. Record the deadline, how notice must be given and who will handle it. Put an earlier review date in the diary to leave time to compare options.
- Write down what must be delivered
Use the service your business needs today as the starting point. Capture sites, volumes, response times and any seasonal changes so suppliers quote against the same requirement.
- Compare the whole agreement
Set recurring fees, one-off charges, term and exclusions side by side. A lower opening price can still lead to a different total once installation, rental and later price changes are included.
An example in practice
Where the detail matters.
Two quotes cover the same premises. One includes installation in the monthly fee and the other charges it upfront. Putting both against the same term gives the decision-maker a fairer comparison.
A question to take to your supplier
What would each offer cost over the same term, and which service commitments would we get in writing?View the renewal planner → Request a callback →