Costs & decisions · 4 MIN READ
Is Debt Review free? Understand the costs first
A free enquiry and formal debt counselling are different things. Here is what to ask for in writing.
Get more than a monthly instalment
“Your payment could be R…” is only part of a proposal. You also need to understand which amounts go towards fees and which go towards creditors. Without that split, two offers that sound similar can be difficult to compare.
Ask for the figures in a format you can keep. A written explanation gives you something to revisit after the call, when you have time to work through the numbers. If you do not understand a line item, ask for an example using your own proposal.
Ask about each stage
The NCR publishes debt counselling fee guidelines covering different parts of the service. The applicable charges depend on the service and circumstances. Check the current guidance and ask the counsellor to identify the basis for each amount rather than relying on an old table from a blog.
Ask whether the quote includes application and assessment charges, restructuring, ongoing aftercare, payment distribution and any legal costs. Ask which charges include VAT and whether anything is billed separately. This guide does not quote a universal total because a single figure could give a misleading picture.
A useful comparison sheet
Create a simple note for each proposal. Give it the counsellor’s name, the date and the version of the proposal. Then compare the same questions across every option.
- What is payable before anything is sent to creditors?
- How much of each payment goes to fees?
- What is the proposed duration and what could change it?
- Are any amounts estimates rather than confirmed charges?
- What happens to fees if the matter cannot proceed?
Check that the plan works in an ordinary month
A plan must be discussed alongside real living costs. List rent, food, electricity, school expenses, transport, medical costs and other commitments. Remember expenses that arrive quarterly or once a year. Dividing an annual bill by 12 is a practical way to include it in a monthly view.
A budget worksheet can help you prepare, but it does not tell you which legal process is suitable. Take the budget and fee questions to a registered debt counsellor. Do not sign because a discount sounds urgent or because someone says the opportunity expires during the call.
Sources & further reading
Check the original guidance for the full context and any later updates.
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