What installer vs service provider means for your project
Installer: Typically the contractor that designs and mounts the system, pulls permits and completes the work on your roof. An installer may sell the system to you or work under contract for a third party. Service provider: Often handles ongoing relationships — financing, service agreements, monitoring, and repairs. A provider might own the system (in lease or PPA deals) or manage maintenance for systems it sold. Knowing which role each company will play on your job clarifies who signs what, who is liable, and who you call for problems.
Key items to verify before you sign
Ownership and payment structure: Who owns the panels after installation — you, the installer, or a finance company? Ownership affects taxes, incentives, and who is responsible for repairs. Contract scope and who does what: Confirm whether the company is only installing or also providing long-term service. Ask for a clear line that shows who handles warranty claims, monitoring, and replacements. Warranties and who backs them: Distinguish manufacturer warranties (panels, inverters) from installer or workmanship warranties. Ask who actually guarantees repairs and for how long. Transferability: If you sell your house, can the contract or ownership be transferred easily? Service response and maintenance: Get specifics on response times, what’s covered, and whether service requires additional fees. Permits and interconnection: Confirm who is responsible for permits, inspections, and the utility interconnection paperwork. Timeline and milestones: Ask for a project schedule with key dates — site visit, permit submission, install, inspection, and interconnection. Licensing and insurance: Verify the installer’s license and proof of insurance (general liability and workers’ comp). Change orders and extra costs: Find out how changes will be priced and approved. References and complaints: Ask for recent local references and check state consumer protection or utility commission complaint records.
How to compare quotes from Freedom Forever, Sunrun, and others
Compare like for like. Make sure each quote shows: system size (kW), estimated annual production with assumptions, equipment make and model, inverter type, and an itemized price breakdown. Look beyond total price: compare who supplies equipment, who performs the install, and who handles service. Watch assumptions in production estimates — tilt, shading, and local weather all matter. Check warranty language carefully: is uptime and performance guaranteed by the installer, the manufacturer, or a third party? For financed or leased systems, compare contract length, who owns the system, and what happens on sale or transfer. Ask each company to show the proposal on a single page that lists responsibilities after installation — this makes differences easier to spot.
Red flags and practical next steps
Red flags: Vague or missing warranty details; refusal to provide local references; large upfront deposits without a clear payment schedule; no site visit before final pricing; unclear ownership or confusing contract language. Next steps: get at least three written quotes, request a site visit, and prepare a short checklist of nonnegotiables (ownership, who fixes things, timeline). Confirm licensing and insurance with your state licensing board. If a company offers a lease or PPA, ask for an example contract and a plain-language explanation of what you pay for and who owns the credits. Keep all promises and specs in writing.