Thinking about solar? What to check before asking for a quote
Planning solar for your home in the Redlands or Brisbane Bayside? A little preparation can make the quote conversation much more useful.
You do not need to arrive with a panel brand or system size picked out. Start with how your household uses electricity, what you want to achieve and anything about the property that could affect the installation.
Here is a practical checklist to work through before comparing quotes.
1. Have your electricity bills handy
Look at your electricity use in kilowatt-hours, not just the dollar total. Recent bills help, and bills from different seasons give a fuller picture of how your household uses power.
Think about when that electricity is used. Is someone home during the day? Do most of your appliances run after work? If your retailer provides an app or interval-usage data, that can help show the pattern.
Tell the installer about changes that are not reflected in your old bills, such as an EV, a pool, extra air conditioning or a move from gas to electric appliances.
2. Mention roof work before planning panels
Roof condition, usable space and shading all matter. Let the installer know about leaks, planned roof repairs, an extension or a roof replacement. It is worth coordinating that work before installing a new array.
If there are already panels on the roof, explain whether you want to keep, replace or relocate them. Our solar panel removal and reinstallation service is relevant when existing solar needs to come off for roof work.
Take any requested photos from a safe, accessible position at ground level. Do not climb onto the roof, remove switchboard covers or touch wiring to prepare for a quote.
3. Be clear about what you want from the system
Your priorities might be reducing electricity purchases, making better use of daytime power, planning for future loads or having backup for selected appliances.
Mention those priorities early, along with your budget. A system designed around today's usage may need a different approach if an EV or other major load is coming soon.
If you are considering storage, our battery-sizing guide covers that decision separately. If backup is important, say which appliances matter: solar or a battery does not automatically mean the whole house will run during an outage. See our solar battery backup guide for more detail.
4. Check what each quote actually includes
Compare the scope as well as the final price. Ask for clear information about:
- Panel and inverter makes, models and proposed system size.
- Panel layout, mounting and monitoring equipment.
- Any switchboard, cabling or metering work, including extra charges or exclusions.
- Who handles the network application and what export limits apply.
- Product and installation warranties, and who to contact for support.
Do not assume every home needs a new switchboard, or that every quote includes one. Ask how the existing installation will be assessed. Our switchboard upgrade information explains that part of the work.
Ask whether a site visit is needed to confirm the quoted scope, and what could change the price before you agree to proceed.
5. Ask how the savings estimate was worked out
A savings estimate should explain its assumptions. Ask what electricity rates, feed-in tariff, household usage and solar generation were used, and whether shading was considered.
Estimated savings are not a guaranteed future bill. Comparing quotes on similar assumptions is more useful than choosing the largest advertised saving.
For independent buying guidance, the Australian Government's Solar Consumer Guide provides a checklist for choosing a retailer and installer.
Ready to discuss solar for your home?
Solair Electrical is based in Thornlands. Read about our solar installations, then get in touch or call 0405 685 441.
Tell us your suburb, what you are planning and whether roof work or other major electrical changes are involved.