How many quotes is enough?
A common rule of thumb is to get 2–4 quotes. Two good bids will show whether a number is in the right range; three gives perspective on price and equipment choices; four can be useful if your roof or financing is unusual. The goal isn’t to collect the most quotes but to collect enough credible bids to see patterns — differences in system size, equipment, and contract terms. Consider getting at least one quote from a local installer and one from a larger national company such as Sunrun or Palmetto Solar so you can compare local knowledge against standardized processes.
What to compare in every quote
Compare the same things across all bids so you’re comparing apples to apples. Key items: - System size (kW) and estimated annual production (kWh) — not just panel count - Equipment list: panel and inverter brands and models - Installation details: mounting type, roof work, and any needed structural work - Permits, inspections, and who pays for them - Total installed price and any separate fees (permit, interconnection) - Financing or payment options and who holds any loan or lease - Ownership of benefits like tax credits or renewable energy credits (if applicable) - Warranties: what the manufacturer covers versus the installer’s workmanship responsibility - Timeline: start date, major milestones, and expected commissioning date - Performance assurances and how production will be measured - Change-order and cancellation rules Ask for the same scope from each company so you can compare costs per kW and expected yearly production rather than just headline prices.
When it makes sense to get more quotes
Get extra bids when your project is complicated or the first round raises questions. Reasons to extend the search: - Roof is steep, heavily shaded, or requires partial replacement - You’re considering battery storage or nonstandard equipment - One quote is an outlier in price or equipment and you want to confirm whether it’s a mistake - You want to compare different financing structures (cash purchase, loan, lease) - Local installers give very different timelines or approaches Additional quotes can reveal consistent red flags or show that one company is unusually thorough. But after four or so comparable bids the returns typically diminish unless you need a very specific solution.
What to verify before signing anything
Focus less on getting more bids and more on what’s inside the contract. Before you sign, verify: - The quoted equipment by make and model and who will service manufacturer warranties - Whether the installer provides a workmanship warranty and how warranty claims are handled - Who is responsible for permits, fees, and utility interconnection - Payment schedule tied to clear milestones and whether any payments are held until commissioning - How changes to scope are handled and priced (change orders) - Insurance and liability — confirm the installer carries general and workers’ comp insurance - Ownership of tax credits and renewable energy credits if you’re not buying the system outright - Install timeline and remedies for missed milestones - A clear performance or production estimate and how production will be tracked - Cancellation terms and any right to rescind in writing Ask for sample contracts and a written timeline; get unclear items clarified in writing before you commit.