First Utility has announced a deal with the on-demand platform, BIZZBY, that will give its customers instant access to hundreds of thousands of local service engineers.
The new product will available as part of First Utility Home Services, representing the next step in the independent energy firm’s diversification plans.
As part of the deal, First Utility will take an equity stake in BIZZBY. It also launched a low-cost broadband service earlier this year.
“Our business ethos has always been about making it more convenient for customers to run their homes and launching First Utility Home Services provides us with a new strategy to achieve this,” said First Utility UK managing director, Ed Kam.
“The platform connects customers with trusted and local tradespeople to allow them to book a wide range of jobs quickly and easily. Similar to our new broadband offering, Home Services is an important step for our growth and diversification.”
A mobile and web app will connect the company’s customers to a network of over 500,000 qualified boiler engineers and electricians, offering real time pricing, customer reviews, and a cashless payment system.
The energy provider also claimed that the new system will help to support local economies and independent engineers, who it will also use to install its Cosy smart thermostats.
“There is a large local economy of highly skilled engineers and tradespeople who deliver great customer satisfaction,” added Kam.