10 Things to Do Before Hiring a Solar Panel Contractor

The decision to hire a solar panel contractor is a big one. This creates a big change for your home and the way you consume energy. While it is a big undertaking, installing solar panels can be a great decision both for your budget and for the environment. However, it can be difficult to know how to decide which contractor to hire, as many people are not familiar with this business. 

In this article, we’re going to tell you the top 10 things you need to do before hiring a solar panel contractor. We hope these will be helpful to you in choosing a contractor. 

Ask Around For A Solar Panel Contractor Referral

The first thing you can do is ask around to others who have solar panels. If you have friends or colleagues who have this kind of project done recently, check in with them. They may know of a great contractor right down the street. 

Not only does this help narrow your options, but it can give you a great picture of what to expect from a given company. Personal referrals are always a great place to start. 

Check The Solar Panel Contractor’s Reviews 

If you don’t have any personal acquaintances who have entered the solar panels space, try looking online. There are likely dozens of reviews for any company you may want to work with that can help you know what to expect. 

It is important to mention here that online reviews can often be misleading. The most likely people to submit online reviews are those that have had overwhelmingly positive/negative experiences. This doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable, though. 

It just means you should take each review at face value. Rather than focus on one customer’s experience, try to look for trends across multiple reviews. This is a more reliable way to use online reviews than singling out individual ones.

Make Sure the Solar Panel Contractor is Licensed

Regardless of how you find a company initially, it is vital that you check their licenses. Depending on your state, there may be requirements for any contractor installing solar panels. You can ask the contractor to provide proof of this before he begins work on the project. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for this. It is important that you know the contractor is on the up-and-up, and he or she will understand this, too. You want to be sure that you can trust the contractor when they are doing the work. They will have access to your home in a way that most will not, and you want to know that they are legitimate. This is the case with other contractors, too. 

Check How Long The Solar Panel Contractor Has Been in Business

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few companies and checked on their licenses, you should see how long they have been in business. We should note that a new company is not necessarily bad. However, if you can work with a company that has a long track record of success, that is often preferable. 

Ask If The Solar Panel Contractor Will Maintain the Equipment

Make sure that the contractor will be the one maintaining the solar panels they install. This will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. You don’t want to have to be contacting them every time something needs repairs. Instead, you want to know that you can trust them to take care of that for you.  

Determine Insurance Costs and Coverage

Depending on the exact product they install, there may be additional costs for insurance. This can vary from project to project. Be sure to ask your contractor what kind of coverage they offer and what costs are associated with it. 

Ask About Product Warranties

In addition to insurance, you want to know if your solar panels will come with a warranty. The majority of products do, but you want to know the details and how you’re covered. 

Ask About Permits and Inspections

When you have solar panels installed, it is not a simple process. Depending on where you live, there are different permit and inspection requirements for a job like that. Just ask your contractor, as they should have all of this information. If they don’t that may be a red flag that they are not prepared for the job. 

Confirm a Timeline for the Solar Panels Project

While this may seem simple, it’s important to know that the solar panel installer knows how long the job will take. You should be able to have a reasonable expectation of how long the job will take up front. 

If they can’t provide this for you, it can be a sign of lack of experience or unfamiliarity with the job. Ideally, a given contractor will have done work like this plenty of times in the past. 

Get Quotes From Solar Panel Contractors

This is possibly the most important step in the list. You need to get quotes from multiple contractors so that you have an idea of what a reasonable price for your job is. Thankfully, that’s what we’re here for. Get Your Quote has an extensive network of contractors in some of the biggest cities across the country. 

We have moving companies, roofing companies, home security companies, and even solar panel contractors that are all vetted and cleared by us. That means you know you can trust any company that you hire through us. 

All you have to do to get a free quote for solar panel installers near you is just contact us with the details of your project. We’ll take care of the rest and get you in touch with the best solar panel contractors in your area. What are you waiting for? Contact us today and let’s help connect you with the contractor you need.