Good problem to have - utility accepted our findings and issued a $67K refund check. Client is thrilled. Question is what kind of follow-up presentation or report should I provide? Want to close this out professionally and set the stage for future work. Do you do a "case closed" summary?
Follow-up After Utility Accepts Findings
Absolutely James. I call it a "resolution summary." Shows original findings, utility response timeline, final settlement amount, and any ongoing corrections implemented. Reinforces your value and gives them something to show their management about the project success.
Perfect opportunity to propose ongoing monitoring services. "This audit recovered $67K from past overcharges - let's set up quarterly reviews to catch future problems immediately instead of waiting 3 years." Strike while the ROI is fresh in their minds.
I always include a timeline showing how long the process took from initial findings to final payment. Helps justify your fee when they see the effort involved in utility negotiations. Also useful for future clients who want to know expected resolution timeframes.
Great suggestions everyone. James, definitely ask for a testimonial or reference letter while they're happy with the results. Much easier to get while the success is fresh than trying to track them down months later when you need references for other prospects.
Include a "lessons learned" section for their facilities team. Things like "monitor demand readings quarterly" or "request meter test if consumption patterns change unexpectedly." Helps prevent similar problems and shows ongoing value beyond the one-time recovery.
Don't forget to document the utility's cooperation level. If they were responsive and professional, note that - helps if you work with this client again. If they were difficult, document that too. Helps set expectations for future utility interactions.