Research & field observation / Local
Household energy-use inventory
List authorized appliance information and customer-provided usage records without diagnosing electrical systems.
What to price before starting
Price simple observation tools, transport and secure document handling.
Use your own written quotes, including recurring costs and the cash you could lose. Owning equipment does not establish customer demand.
Skills you must be able to demonstrate
Accurate inventory, arithmetic and explaining model limits.
Before the first payment
Agree the records, access and the boundary between observation and professional assessment.
Keep the deliverable, exclusions, approvals and payment responsibility in writing. Do not treat a lead, an invoice or a promised reimbursement as money received.
Where this can go wrong
A rough inventory can be mistaken for a certified energy audit or guaranteed savings.
Requirements and refusal boundaries
Do not perform electrical work, promise savings or claim auditor credentials you lack.
Confirm the exact activity with the relevant authority and insurer. The references below explain general issues; they do not approve this individual service in your jurisdiction.
A lower-risk validation step
Inventory your own labeled appliances and mark every unknown rather than estimating it.
Set a stop condition before spending: what evidence would make you decline, change scope or stop? A practice sample should never expose another person's confidential material.
Primary checks
- SBA: licenses and permits
Activity and location determine permits; contact the issuing authority.
- IRS: self-employed tax center
US self-employment tax, return and recordkeeping guidance; no tax calculation is supplied here.
References reviewed for this publication in November 2026. Rules can change. This entry contains no earnings estimate and makes no assurance of demand.