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Knowing which questions to ask — and how to evaluate the answers — is what makes those quotes useful. Here are 15.", "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/assets/installer-D2bbZsjM.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alliant Energy Team", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/about" }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MCS Registered Engineer", "jobTitle": "MCS Registered Engineer" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is it rude to ask an installer these questions?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Solar is a £6,000–£12,000 investment lasting 25 years on your roof. Verifying credentials and warranties is reasonable due diligence." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if an installer refuses to answer some of these?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "That's your answer. Refusal or deflection tells you how they'll handle future warranty claims and aftercare." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I ask for the answers in writing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — at least the price inclusions, warranty terms, deposit amount and protection scheme. Verbal promises don't protect you if something goes wrong." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Spoke guide · Choosing an installer # Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Solar Installer Getting three quotes is sensible. Knowing which questions to ask — and how to evaluate the answers — is what makes those quotes useful. Here are 15. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Get a Quote from Alliant](/quote) [Request a Callback](/request-callback) On this page - [Credentials & certification](#creds) - [About the installation](#install) - [Warranties & aftercare](#warranty) - [Projections & payment](#money) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) Use this list when comparing installers. Reputable companies welcome these questions — and answer them clearly. ## About credentials and certification Question 1 ### Are you MCS registered, and what's your installer number? **Good answer:** Yes, plus the number on the spot. Verify at mcscertified.com. Vagueness or 'we'll sort it out later' is not acceptable. Question 2 ### Are you NICEIC approved or NAPIT registered? **Good answer:** Yes — they'll tell you which body and give you the number to verify. Question 3 ### Are you TrustMark registered, HIES or RECC? **Good answer:** Yes to at least one. These provide deposit protection and dispute resolution. Question 4 ### How long have you been trading, and can I see your company registration? **Good answer:** They give you the Companies House number. Verify at companieshouse.gov.uk. ## About the installation Question 5 ### Will your own employees carry out the install, or will it be subcontracted? **Good answer:** Our own team. If they subcontract, they're transparent about who, vetting, and whether the subcontractor is MCS registered. Question 6 ### Will you conduct a site survey before confirming the final price? **Good answer:** Yes, before installation begins. Satellite-only assessment is fine for a provisional quote, but a physical survey is standard before installing. Question 7 ### What brands of panels, inverter and battery will you use — and why? **Good answer:** Specific brand names with a brief reason for the choice. Vague answers suggest products will be swapped based on margin. Question 8 ### What's included — specifically scaffolding and DNO application? **Good answer:** Both included. Some installers quote panels + install only and charge extra (£400–£800 for scaffolding) on top. ## About warranties and aftercare Question 9 ### What workmanship warranty, and who do I contact if there's a problem? **Good answer:** A specific workmanship period (typically 2–5 years), a named contact, and a local phone number. 'Contact the manufacturer' is not acceptable for workmanship. Question 10 ### What are the component warranties, and are they affected by who installs them? **Good answer:** Panels 25–30 years, inverter 10 years, battery 10 years — and MCS-registered installation keeps them fully valid. Question 11 ### Will I receive an MCS installation certificate, and when? **Good answer:** Yes, within a few days of commissioning — without you having to chase. ### Ask Alliant any of these questions We answer all 15 in writing, with verifiable references. [Get a Quote](/quote) [Request a Callback](/request-callback) ## About projections, grants and payment Question 12 ### How did you calculate the estimated annual saving — what assumptions did you use? **Good answer:** They walk through it: electricity rate, generation estimate by orientation and location, self-consumption rate, SEG rate. Honest installers include conservative and optimistic scenarios. Question 13 ### Are you eligible to help me apply for Warm Homes Plan or ECO4 funding? **Good answer:** Yes (if approved) and they check your eligibility proactively, not just to justify a sale. Question 14 ### What deposit do you require, and how is it protected? **Good answer:** 10–25%, protected via HIES or RECC. Full payment before installation is a red flag. Question 15 ### What happens if you go out of business before completing my installation? **Good answer:** Deposits protected under HIES/RECC, with a clear claims process they can describe. Alliant's answers — in one place MCS registered, NICEIC approved, TrustMark registered, HIES member, own teams, physical survey, DMEGC / Fox ESS / Levelise Hub specified, scaffolding and DNO included, 10-year workmanship cover, MCS certificate within days, honest projections, 10% deposit, HIES deposit protection. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is it rude to ask an installer these questions? No. Solar is a £6,000–£12,000 investment lasting 25 years on your roof. Verifying credentials and warranties is reasonable due diligence. ### What if an installer refuses to answer some of these? That's your answer. Refusal or deflection tells you how they'll handle future warranty claims and aftercare. ### Should I ask for the answers in writing? Yes — at least the price inclusions, warranty terms, deposit amount and protection scheme. Verbal promises don't protect you if something goes wrong. Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)