What should a renewable energy installation quotation include?

A useful renewable energy installation quotation lets you see exactly what is being proposed, why it suits the property and what you will pay. It should give enough detail to compare quotations fairly, without relying on vague descriptions such as “solar package” or “complete renewable system”.

The property assessment

The quotation should reflect a site survey rather than a rough online estimate. Your roof shape, orientation, shading, available space and roof condition all affect a solar design. An installer should explain any limitations found during the survey and identify work that needs completing before installation.

An older home may also need more investigation. Solid walls, a barn conversion or a listed building can affect cable routes, external equipment, planning requirements and the appearance of the finished installation. If the property is off the gas grid, the quotation should also show how the proposed system will work with the existing oil, LPG or electric heating arrangement.

The proposed equipment and system design

The quotation should name the main equipment, not just describe its purpose. For solar, this normally includes the panels, inverter, mounting system, monitoring equipment and any battery. For an air source heat pump, it should identify the heat pump, hot water cylinder, controls and any changes to radiators, pipework or electrical supplies.

The design should explain how the parts work together. A battery quotation should show how it will be charged, how it connects to the solar system or grid, and whether it can provide backup power. Backup operation is not automatic on every installation, so the quotation should state what happens during a power cut.

For an EV charger, the quotation should identify the proposed location, cable route, charging controls and any consumer unit or supply upgrades. A detached garage, long driveway or outbuilding can make the cable route more involved than the charger itself.

Design assumptions and expected performance

A quotation should separate measured information from assumptions. This includes the roof area, expected shading, electricity use, heating demand, battery usage and any information taken from your energy bills. If we have not been given complete information, the quotation should say so.

Expected generation, heat output or bill reduction should be presented as an estimate for the property. It is not a guaranteed saving. The result depends on weather, household demand, energy prices, heating settings and how the system is used. Ask whether the estimate includes export payments, battery charging from the grid or changes to your heating pattern.

The quotation should also explain the figures behind any payback calculation. A useful calculation shows the assumptions used for self-consumption, exported energy, maintenance and future energy prices. Treat a payback period as a planning estimate rather than a promise.

A complete cost breakdown

The total price should be clear, with the main elements separated. This may include:

• the equipment and mounting materials;
• design, survey and project management;
• electrical installation and testing;
• scaffolding, lifting equipment or access arrangements;
• roof repairs, strengthening or other building work;
• radiator, pipework, cylinder or consumer unit changes;
• commissioning, handover and certification; and
• any optional monitoring, maintenance or additional controls.

Items that cannot be confirmed before opening up part of the property should be identified as provisional, with the reason explained. The quotation should state what is excluded as well. That prevents a low headline price from hiding costs for access, remedial work or electrical upgrades.

Our quotations are issued before work starts and set out the agreed price. If the survey finds a genuine change in scope, we explain it before carrying out additional work rather than adding an unexpected charge afterwards.

Funding, export payments and eligibility

If a government grant or export payment may apply, the quotation should explain the relevant conditions without treating funding as automatic. Eligibility can depend on the technology, property, existing heating system and current scheme rules.

For an eligible air source heat pump, MCS certification allows us to make a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant application on your behalf. The quotation should show whether the grant has been included in the displayed total, and which part remains payable if the application is not approved.

For solar panels and batteries, MCS certification makes the installation eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee. The quotation should distinguish between the installation price and any future export income. It should also explain who completes the certification and what information you need to provide to an energy supplier.

Electrical, heating and building work

The quotation should not treat the renewable equipment as separate from the rest of the property. Your consumer unit may need upgrading before a new generation system or EV charger can be connected. Cable capacity, earthing, isolation and the location of the meter can all affect the design.

With a heat pump, the quotation should address radiator sizes, pipework, hot water storage and controls. A heat pump may work with existing radiators, but that depends on the heat loss of each room and the temperature needed to heat it. If changes are required, the quotation should list them instead of leaving them to be discovered during installation.

Roof access, planning restrictions, listed-building requirements and structural concerns should also be covered where they apply. We explain which approvals are needed and who is responsible for submitting any application. The quotation should not assume that every property can take the same equipment.

Installation arrangements

The document should explain what happens before, during and after the installation. It should identify the expected sequence of work, access requirements, likely disruption and any preparation needed inside the property.

For example, an installation may involve external access, drilling, cable runs through occupied rooms, temporary isolation of the electricity supply or changes to the heating system. The quotation should say whether you need to clear cupboards, provide access to a loft or arrange parking for equipment.

It should also state who will carry out the work and whether different parts are being passed to subcontractors. We use directly employed electricians and heating engineers, so the people assessing the property are part of the team carrying out the associated electrical and heating work.

Warranties, certification and handover

Ask for the warranty period and terms for each major component. Panel, inverter, battery, heat pump and installation warranties may be different. The quotation should explain who handles a warranty issue and whether registration is required.

At handover, you should receive the certificates and documents needed to operate and maintain the system. These may include electrical test results, commissioning records, product manuals, system settings, warranty registrations and MCS paperwork where relevant.

The handover should include a practical explanation of the controls and monitoring. You should know how to read the system data, change suitable settings and identify a fault. For a heat pump, that includes understanding the heating controls and hot water schedule rather than treating it like a conventional boiler.

Questions to ask before accepting a quotation

• What information was used to design the system?
• Which parts of the price are fixed, provisional or optional?
• What property alterations are included?
• What assumptions support the generation, heating or saving estimate?
• Is grant or export income included in the total, or shown separately?
• What happens if the survey identifies unsuitable roofing, radiators, pipework or electrics?
• Which certificates, warranties and commissioning records will be provided?
• Who will complete the work and who should handle a fault after commissioning?

A quotation that answers these points gives you a clearer basis for deciding. It also shows whether the installer has considered the whole property, rather than pricing equipment in isolation.