Quick quiz: hiring a contractor
Six questions for before you sign. Tap an answer to see why.
Not all solar installers are trustworthy. Here's how to tell.
Most installers are solid. But I've seen enough bad ones to know the patterns. Bait-and-switch pricing, upselling unnecessary batteries, cutting corners on paperwork—it adds up to thousands in lost money.
The Scam I See Most Often
A homeowner gets a quote for $40K solar. Excited, they sign. Two weeks later, the installer calls: "We just realized your roof needs reinforcement. That's another $8K. And—this is important—you really should add a battery for $15K to protect your investment."
Roof reinforcement? Maybe legitimate. Maybe not. Battery? Almost never necessary for the BC Hydro rebate. But now the homeowner is $23K over budget and feels trapped.
This is the playbook: low initial quote, surprise add-ons mid-contract, pressure to upsize the system. It works because homeowners have already told their friends they're going solar. They feel committed.
Red Flag #1: The Quote That's Too Good to Be True
🚩 Suspiciously Low Initial Quote
If one installer quotes $35K and everyone else quotes $45K, ask why. Sometimes it's efficiency. Sometimes it's because they're planning to hit you with add-ons later. Get everything in writing upfront: system size, roof work, electrical upgrades, timeline, and the final price. No surprises.
Red Flag #2: They Push a Battery You Don't Need
🚩 Aggressive Battery Upselling
I hear from homeowners all the time: "The installer said I had to get a battery to claim my rebate." False. BC Hydro's solar rebate ($5,000) works without a battery. The battery rebate is separate. If an installer is telling you a battery is mandatory, they're either misinformed or selling commission. Get a second opinion before adding $15K to your bill.
Red Flag #3: They Rush the Paperwork
🚩 Pressure to Sign Quickly
Good installers give you time to review documents. Bad ones say, "Sign today and we can start this week." Why the rush? Because they want you committed before you ask questions. Rebate paperwork is complex. Any installer worth hiring will walk you through it and give you a copy. If they're vague or hurried, that's a sign.
Red Flag #4: No Proof of Previous Work
🚩 Can't Show Case Studies or Reviews
Ask for references. Specifically, ask for photos and performance data from 3–5 systems they've installed in your city in the last two years. A legitimate installer will have this. If they dodge the question or show you generic pictures, move on. You want someone with proven work in BC, not a salesperson who learned to install solar last year.
Red Flag #5: They Don't Mention HPCN Certification
As of June 1, 2026, BC Hydro requires installers to be HPCN-certified (Home Performance Contractor Network) to process rebates. If an installer doesn't mention this, they're either not certified or they're planning to use someone else's license—both problems.
HPCN certification means they've passed a vetting process. It's not a guarantee they're perfect, but it's a real credibility check.
Red Flag #6: Payment Before Installation
🚩 Asking for Full Payment Upfront
Most installers ask for a deposit (25-33%) to start, then final payment upon completion. If someone's asking for the full amount before they show up with a truck, that's a major red flag. You don't know if they'll finish, and you have no recourse if they disappear.
The Good Installer Checklist
- HPCN-certified — Non-negotiable as of June 2026
- Shows you 2–3 recent completed projects in your city with before/after photos
- Gives you a detailed, itemized quote with no surprises hidden in the fine print
- Explains rebates clearly — doesn't sell you things you don't need to claim them
- Answers your questions without pressure or dismissal
- Offers a warranty on parts and workmanship (usually 10–15 years on panels)
- Provides monitoring software so you can watch your system's performance
- Walks you through rebate paperwork and doesn't disappear after installation
You can't fully trust a quote from an installer you just met. They have incentive to maximize their commission. Get 2–3 independent quotes. Compare price and approach: do they listen? Do they push add-ons? Do they have a track record?
A typical pattern
Two quotes for the same size solar system can differ a lot, often because one bundles in a battery or upgrades you didn't ask for. Ask every installer to quote the same system size, with extras listed as separate line items, so you can compare fairly.
How to Get a Trustworthy Installer
This is why HomePowerRebate exists. For every city, we list the top-rated local installers, ranked by Google reviews, so you can compare and choose. It's free for homeowners.
You're not locked into one. You see the options, read their track record, and make a call. No auctions. No pressure. Just honest installers who know we'll replace them if they mistreat you.
See my rebates and installers →Keep reading
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