According to the Energy Information Administration, almost four per cent of United States homes have solar panels installed. Investing in clean energy has never been more prevalent or necessary. Installing solar panels on your home can not only save you money, but it can also help reverse climate change and save the Earth. There has never been a better win-win for all. However, before participating, you must first learn how to hire residential solar providers. You cannot simply call the first one you find.
Hard work and research are involved, but we’ve got you covered with our guide below.
Read on to get started.
Consider Your Requirements
To begin your journey, you must first do your research.
Consider what your home requires before getting quotes so you know you are receiving a fair price on what you need. This is an excellent time to set your budget, so you know exactly what you can afford before you begin doing any search.
Evaluate your roof type, your home’s size, and the light exposure to determine what factors will increase the cost. Have someone check your roof to determine its stability.
Decide if you want to invest in a few panels or more. How much of your home will you have powered by solar panels? Would you instead lease the panels or buy them outright?
Once you have a list of your requirements, you can begin gathering a list of options for solar providers.
Gather Referrals
Gathering referrals from friends, family members, and colleagues is an excellent way to begin your search. Because these are references from people you trust, you already know that these companies will do high-quality work.
These references will also generally include local solar providers, which will be much more convenient for you.
While gathering referrals, ask if the company was cost-competitive and communicative and if they passed all city and utility inspections. If the answer is yes to all of these, there’s a good chance the company will work out.
Research and Read Reviews
However, even after gathering these referrals, you must still research online before moving forward.
Look at their website and see what kind of services they offer. Make sure the website is professional and offers contact information.
Reading online reviews on their testimonial page is a great place to start, but don’t only trust these reviews.
You should also check out online reviews from Google Reviews, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for companies with reviews that everyone is raving about, and check for reviews that include elements important to you.
For example, if you want to ensure you work with a reliable and very communicative company throughout the whole process, look for this throughout the reviews. Past customers are always ready, to be honest, so this is an excellent way to get a look at the whole picture of the company.
Check for Experience and Credentials
Now, it’s time to consider how long these companies have been around.
It’s best to choose a company that has a good reputation and has been long-established. Newer companies often have kinks that need to be worked out and aren’t always as reliable.
However, this is not always the case. Having solar installation experience does not automatically equal good work.
If you found a company with tons of good reviews and has only been around for a few years, they may still be the best option. If they can provide examples of previous work they’ve done that is similar to your house, you can be just as sure they will provide good work.
Regardless of experience, all companies need to have the correct credentials. Every person working in the company should be licensed and insured, so if anything were to happen during installation, you and your property would never be held liable.
Suppose they are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or are PV Installation Professionals. In that case, you can guarantee they will provide the highest quality work in the area.
Compare Quotes
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you probably have two or three companies you’re considering working with. Now is the time to start comparing solar installation costs by contacting these companies to come out and give a quote.
Since you’ve already done extensive research, you should have a good idea of what the quotes should be. This is also an excellent time to see how the companies communicate and interact with you. If you don’t feel comfortable asking them questions or they seem to brush you off, they’re probably not the right ones.
They should quote you regarding the residential solar system installation prices, your estimated cost and savings, and anything else regarding equipment and timeframes. Compare these quotes among your top three companies, and choose the one that suits your requirements and fits your budget.
You have officially begun the process of installing clean energy for your home.
It’s Time to Hire Residential Solar Providers
Deciding you want solar panels on your house is one thing, and learning how to hire residential solar providers is entirely different. It will take significant preparation and research if you want it done right. This guide will help you get started, and then it’s up to you.
Luckily, you’ve already gotten a head start, so keep the momentum going!
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