What a utility bill audit costs
Nothing upfront. We are paid a share of what we recover and save, after you receive it. If we find nothing, you owe nothing.
Discovery Energy's utility bill audits are contingency-based: no upfront fee, and a fee of usually 15% to 50% of qualifying refunds, credits and verified savings, paid only after the client receives them.
Built around your portfolio
We are a boutique firm, so we don't sell packages. In the first conversations we learn how many sites, bills and utilities you have, how they are managed today and where it hurts. The proposal that follows combines only the services you need, priced by bill volume and complexity. Audit fees stay contingency-based throughout.
Want proof first? Start with a 15-account pilot audit on 15 representative accounts, including your hardest tariffs.
Fees by service
| Service | How it is priced | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Utility bill audit | Contingency, usually 15% to 50% of refunds and verified savings. No upfront fee. | Client, from results |
| Energy procurement | Fixed monthly fee, or a commission built into the supplier's price and disclosed to you | Client or supplier |
| Bill pay and data | Custom, by number of bills, utility types and complexity | Client |
| TaraBase reporting | Included with bill pay; may be included with larger audit or procurement engagements | Client |
| Renewable advisory | Scoped per project | Client |
Reading a contingency agreement
Contingency, fixed-fee and retainer models each have trade-offs. Whatever you choose, read three things in the written terms:
- The baseline. What savings are measured against, and how it adjusts when usage, rates or operations change.
- The fee period. How many months of recurring savings the percentage applies to.
- What counts. Whether refunds, credits, avoided costs and estimated savings are treated differently.
Contingency vs fixed-fee audits compared. How we are paid and stay independent.
Questions buyers ask
Is there any upfront cost for a utility bill audit?
No. There is no audit fee, retainer or setup charge. Discovery is paid only from qualifying refunds, credits or realized savings under the agreed terms.
What percentage do you take?
Usually 15% to 50%. The rate depends on the size of the accounts and on whether Discovery also manages other parts of your energy program.
Who keeps the recovered money?
You do, less the agreed contingency fee. The fee typically applies to refunds plus the first year of savings, or the period your agreement sets; savings after that are entirely yours.
How are savings measured for the fee?
Against a baseline agreed in writing before work starts, such as the rate you were on before the correction. The agreement also sets how the baseline adjusts if usage, rates or operations change.
Why isn't there a price list?
Every engagement is built around the client. We learn your portfolio, needs and pain points first, then propose a combination of services priced by bill volume and complexity. Audit fees stay contingency-based.
Can we try before committing?
Yes. Ask for a 15-account pilot audit on 15 representative accounts.
What if you find nothing?
You owe nothing and receive documentation that your accounts were billed correctly.
Find out what your bills should have cost.
Send one recent bill per site, or a list of accounts. We tell you where we expect findings before you sign anything. No upfront audit fee.