You aren’t alone if you’re interested in solar energy. More people than ever want to invest in green energy and do their part to help the environment. And when you can save money by purchasing solar, it makes sense to do so.
But when there are more than 10,000 solar companies in the United States, it’s easier said than done to find help.
Are you ready to get started with your solar panel installation and want to find a reputable installer for the job? Read the information below to learn how to find the best solar panel installation company in your area.
Verify the Company’s Credential
Having the proper credentials is essential for solar installation services. You can’t just decide to offer solar services one day and start taking customers. You need to go through the proper process to get licensed by the government.
Get a company’s license number to make sure they can legally work in your area. You should be able to verify this information with your government.
Another thing to look for outside of local licenses is national certifications. Organizations like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) are regarded as one of the standards for green energy companies. See if the companies you’re considering hiring are members of these organizations.
Learn Your Roof’s Condition
One consideration you must make before buying solar panels is your roof’s condition. Solar panels aren’t usable on every roof. Your roof needs enough strength to support the weight and mounting brackets.
A solar installation company needs to do an inspection before accepting the job. See if the companies in your area will perform this inspection to verify your roof’s condition.
In the ideal scenario, the company you hire to do this can also handle your roof installation if you need one. Otherwise, you’ll need to find another company to handle your roofing needs.
Check the Insurance Coverage
Working on roofs isn’t the safest job you can get. Although you can use many safety procedures to stay safe, there’s always the chance of something going wrong. It can be because of someone making a mistake or a piece of equipment failing.
The question is, who takes responsibility when this happens? The typical response is that the company that sends workers will take accountability. They are supposed to carry insurance to cover any injuries or property damages that happens on the job.
But some companies try to cut corners to save money — and cut insurance coverage as a result. Make sure the company you hire doesn’t do this.
Ask for Multiple Quotes
A big mistake many people make when hiring contractors is not shopping around. They contact the first company they think looks good and don’t speak with anyone else.
Doing this isn’t the best move. The chances are good that several solar panel installation services in your area will do a great job with the solar panel installation process. Even better — some of them may be able to offer you a great deal.
Reach out to as many companies as possible and request a quote. Try not to accept general quotes without getting all the job details. Get in-depth costs to ensure you have all the details about the job and can make an informed decision.
Vet the Warranty
A warranty is essential when you hire a solar panel company. Even though solar is one of the most reliable energy sources, not all installations go off without a hitch. You don’t want to be responsible for repairs when the problem isn’t your fault.
A reputable company will stand by its work and offer a warranty when things go wrong. The warranty should cover both labor mistakes and equipment failure.
If you aren’t sure what makes an excellent solar warranty, look online for examples. Compare what you find with the warranties offered by your local installers to see how they compare.
Get an Installation Timeline
The installation timeline is another thing to figure out when talking to solar installation companies. With how backed up many home improvement companies are, it isn’t always easy to get a contractor out to your home quickly.
This is a big problem if you want your project completed quickly. Before signing a contract with a provider, learn how long it will take them to get to the job.
Some companies may be backed up for months, so you may need to dig deep to find someone to meet your timeline expectations.
Find References
A great way to filter your options for solar panel installation companies is to hear from people who have gotten the job done before. This means looking for references from your friends and family.
Reach out to your network to see if anybody you know has solar panels. Determine the company they used for the job and what their experience was like.
You can also look online for reviews. Reputable local companies like Blue Raven Solar will have presences on local directories and plenty of reviews from satisfied customers. You can use those reviews to determine which companies don’t offer good results.
Don’t Settle for Your Solar Panel Installation
A solar panel installation is a giant investment. In many cases, you will spend more than $10,000 on solar panels to meet your needs. The last thing you want is to hire a solar installer that doesn’t handle things the right way.
But when you do a little due diligence, you can remove the poor-performing companies from your search. Follow the advice above to make sure you find a solar panel installation service that will help you put together the perfect installation for your home.
Are you interested in more home improvement guides to make other enhancements to your house? Check out more guides on the blog to learn how to do things right.
