Working with a Methodist church that's been paying $2,400/month on what looks like the wrong rate schedule. They've got typical sanctuary plus fellowship hall, kitchen facilities. Problem is they only want to pay if we find $10K+ which seems unrealistic for this size account. Anyone have success with religious/educational institutions or should I pass?
Churches and schools - worth the effort?
I've done about a dozen churches over the years. Hit rate is maybe 40% but when you find something it's usually been wrong for YEARS. Found one Baptist church in Tennessee that had been on residential rate for 8 years - recovered $31K. The key is they rarely change anything so errors persist longer than commercial accounts.
Schools are trickier than churches in my experience. Too much turnover in facilities management and they always want detailed explanations. Churches tend to have one person who's been handling the bills for decades and just wants results.
The economics work if you can bundle several similar accounts. I've had success approaching denominational offices - they often oversee multiple properties and can authorize audits for the whole district. Just make sure your contract covers the lower recovery amounts you'll see with smaller accounts.