Household bills calculator
The services that renew quietly every month, added together into one annual figure. Most households have not looked at this total in years.
How this is calculated
Monthly services are multiplied by twelve. Water and the TV licence are entered annually because that is usually how they are billed.
Nothing here is estimated. Every figure is one you can read off a bill or a bank statement, which is the point: an accurate total is more useful than an average.
Out-of-contract broadband and mobile prices commonly sit well above the price a new customer is offered, so it is worth checking your contract end date against what you entered.
Water is metered in some homes and charged on rateable value in others. If you are unmetered and use little water, a meter often reduces the bill.
Rates used · 2026/27
| TV licence | £174.50 a year |
| Broadband contracts | typically 18 or 24 months |
| Mid-contract rises | many providers raise prices annually |
| Water meter | free to install, and reversible within a period |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
Broadband at £32, two mobiles at £20 and £15, TV and streaming at £28 and £10 of extras comes to £1,260 a year. Add £480 of water and the £174.50 TV licence and the total is £1,914.50, about £160 a month.
Common questions
Why is my broadband more expensive than advertised?
Because introductory prices end. Once you are out of contract the price usually rises sharply, and providers rarely tell you loudly. Check the end date and renegotiate.
Do I need a TV licence for streaming?
You need one to watch or record live television on any channel or service, and to use BBC iPlayer at all. On-demand services other than iPlayer do not require one.
Should I get a water meter?
Generally yes if there are fewer people in the house than bedrooms. You can usually revert within a set period if the bill goes up.
How often should I switch?
Set a reminder for the month your contract ends. Providers price for inertia, and the saving from a single call is often larger than any other change on this page.