How Does Shared Savings Pricing Work?
No upfront cost. No fee if we don’t find anything. Here's exactly how it works — and what to look for in any shared savings agreement.
The Process
Step 1: Submit One Month of Bills
Send us one month of utility bills. We'll conduct a free preliminary review and share our initial findings; no commitment required.
Step 2: Review Our Findings
Within 48 hours you'll see what we found. If there's meaningful recovery potential we'll walk you through it. You decide whether to move forward.
Step 3: Full Audit - We Get Paid When You Do
Once you sign an agreement, we conduct a full 30-day in-depth review of your complete bill history. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover. If we find nothing, you owe nothing.
How Does Shared Savings Pricing Work?
Most utility audit firms, including Vurge, operate on a contingency model. You pay nothing upfront. The auditing firm earns a percentage of what they recover on your behalf. If they find nothing, you owe nothing.
This model exists because utility billing errors are common but not guaranteed. A contingency structure puts the risk entirely on the auditor, not you.
What Factors Influence the Percentage?
There is no single industry-standard percentage for shared savings agreements. The terms you're offered will vary based on your specific situation:
Your total utility spend
Higher monthly utility bills typically attract more competitive terms. The absolute dollar value of recoverable savings matters more than the percentage alone.
Number of facilities and meters
A single-location manufacturer with three utility accounts is a simpler engagement than a hospital system with 12 facilities and 40 meters. Complexity affects pricing.
Refund recovery vs. ongoing forward savings
Most agreements distinguish between two types of value: retroactive refunds for past overcharges and ongoing forward savings from corrected rates and exemptions. These are sometimes priced differently.
Ongoing monitoring
Some firms include ongoing bill monitoring after the initial review. Others complete the audit and step away. If monitoring is included it may be reflected in the contract terms.
Contract term
Shared savings agreements in the utility audit industry typically range from 1 to 4 years. Shorter terms focus primarily on refund recovery. Longer terms allow the fee to be shared across both refunds and ongoing forward savings.
Competitive bids
If you're getting multiple proposals, the percentage is negotiable. Scope of work and depth of analysis matter as much as the headline number.
What Should You Watch Out For?
Before signing any shared savings agreement, with Vurge or anyone else, get clear answers to these questions:
Does the percentage apply to all savings or just some?
Some agreements apply the contingency fee only to refunds recovered. Others apply it to the full value of ongoing savings over the contract term. Understand exactly what the fee applies to before signing.
Who does the negotiating?
Some auditors identify errors and hand the findings back to you to negotiate with the utility yourself. Others handle the entire negotiation and recovery process on your behalf. At Vurge, we manage the full process including any disputes. You don't have to interact with your utility provider at all.
How are savings verified and reported?
Ask how the auditor measures and documents what they've recovered. A credible firm will provide clear reporting showing before and after billing comparisons and refund confirmation documentation.
What happens if you make operational changes during the contract?
If you add a facility, upgrade equipment, or change your energy usage significantly, your bills will change. Make sure the agreement is clear about how savings are calculated if your baseline consumption shifts.
What is their find rate?
This is the most important question you can ask: Most prospects never ask it. A firm's find rate tells you what percentage of qualifying clients actually see results. Ask for it before comparing percentages.
Why the Percentage Matters Less Than You Think
It's natural to focus on the percentage when comparing proposals. But the percentage is only one variable in a more important equation. What you actually recover is what matters, not what you give up to recover it.
Consider two scenarios:
A firm charging 30% finds $40,000 in recoverable errors. You net $28,000.
A firm charging 40% finds $150,000 in recoverable errors. You net $90,000.
The higher-percentage firm delivers significantly more value. The find rate and depth of analysis determine the outcome far more than the percentage.
When evaluating any proposal, ask what percentage of qualifying clients see results and ask for references in your specific industry.
Qualifying Clients
Reputable utility audit firms are selective about who they take on. At Vurge, we evaluate whether meaningful recovery is likely before committing to a review. Factors that indicate higher recovery potential include:
Monthly utility spend above a minimum threshold
Multiple utility types: electric, gas, water, sewer
Complex rate structures or demand charges
Multiple meters or facilities
Industries with historically complex billing like manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, higher education
If a firm agrees to audit your account without asking qualifying questions first, that's worth noting. It either means they're taking on low-probability work or they're not being selective about what they can actually deliver.
Because we only take on engagements where we believe meaningful recovery is possible, 75% of the clients we complete quick reviews for see results.
How Vurge Approaches Pricing
We work on a pure contingency model. No upfront cost, no consulting retainer, no fee if we don't find anything.
Our pricing varies based on the factors described above. Your spend level, number of facilities, the types of utilities involved, and what our preliminary review uncovers. We don't publish a standard percentage because the right agreement depends on your specific situation.
What we can tell you is that our fee comes entirely from what we recover. If we don't deliver, you don't pay.
Start with a free preliminary review. We'll share our initial findings within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a review take?
We provide a preliminary estimate within 48 hours of receiving your bills. A full comprehensive review of all utility accounts typically takes approximately 30 days from the time we receive your complete bill history.
Do I have to share savings forever?
No. The shared savings agreement covers a defined contract period. Once the term ends, any ongoing savings from corrected billing or rate adjustments accrue entirely to you.
What if the utility disputes the error?
Vurge handles the entire dispute process on your behalf. We manage all communications and negotiations with the utility directly — you don't need to get involved.
How long does a shared savings contract typically last?
In the utility audit industry, contract terms typically range from one to four years depending on the scope of the review and the mix of refund recovery versus ongoing forward savings.
What do I need to provide?
To start, just one month of utility bills for our free preliminary review. If we proceed to a full review after our initial findings, we'll request your complete bill history — typically 24 to 36 months — and a letter of authorization allowing us to work with your utility providers on your behalf.
Is this the same as an energy efficiency audit?
No. Utility billing audits focus on errors, misclassifications, and overcharges in your existing bills — not on reducing consumption or installing new equipment. There is no capital cost, no equipment, and no operational changes required.
What industries do you work with?
Vurge works primarily with manufacturers, hospitals and healthcare systems, hotels and hospitality facilities, and universities and higher education institutions. These industries tend to have the most complex utility billing structures and therefore the highest recovery potential.
Do you work nationwide?
Yes. Vurge works with clients across the United States. Our team has deep experience with utility providers and rate structures across our primary target markets.
Ready to find out what a review would uncover at your facility?
Vurge By The Numbers
Customers Helped
1,400+
Years In Business
13
Amount Saved To Date
$52,856,035
Reviews with Utility Savings
