First Install

[optician]

I'm just in the process of planning my first pv install, on my own house.
I just wondered whether you guys use roofers to put the panels on,
or whether you do it your selves? (will be using it for joint assessment and MCS)
And if you use roofers, how you go about finding competent ones?
Thanks Dave G.

 

[cbw]

I use a roofer,for several reasons....

1. I am old and fat and struggle with a whole day of roof work
2. My guys are clumsy so when they break tiles my roofer has exact replacements from his yard.
3. If roof felt is damaged, roofer removes tiles and refelts properly.
4. Much better at it than me.
5. Supply me with written roof structural survey.
6. If any leaks etc at later date roofers problem.
7. He has his own scaffold

Obviously I am on the roof all day with them, just so many benefits to using him!

Last install cost me £650 including VAT for 2 roofers and scaffold.

Its a no brainer to not have him!
Hope that helps

 

[powervan]

depends on ur abillity! but most important type of roof ie what tiles!! some roofs with good old concrete tiles simples!!! any thing else is more tricky ie more time on roof!! if its your first get help!! but you will get the hang of it!! amazed your coming into solar at this stage of fit?

 

[moggy1968]

I gave up using roofers.

 

[optician]

Thanks for the replies.
Moggy, why did you give up using roofers?
I was also wondering how you find a good one? (I suppose this may be why Moggy gave up using roofers).
Powervan; I'm installing to my own houses (2 of), so pay back is quicker and it's still an investment.
Also if I combine it with my assesment it's cheaper than Mcs and part P assesment seperatly, if i pick up some work out of it it may be worth continuing with it in a year, who knows?

 

[moggy1968]

I employed roofers to use their expertise on roofs, what I found was they kept bringing their problems to me to solve for them, which rather negated the point of using them!
I also got rather fed up of having to explain the same thing to them over and over again, to the point that if I went off site for some reason, I would give them instruction on what was needed, I then had to give the same instructions to my electrician so he could tell them again when they couldn't remember.
Nothing to do with roofers per se, just the ones I was using, but they kept on having to leave at 17:00 prompt for other comitments. I need guys that work 'til the jobs done.
If you find good ones (CBW seems to have lucked right in with his, much to my envy!!) then fine, but I found a couple of great other tradesment who work with me on the roofs now.

 

[grandfortune]

I use a roofer but im also up there giving them a hand, their expertise in the field will save you a fortune in time, but as ive been with mine on all types of roofs ive basically picked up all i need to know, well worth it you may get a bad one but just change them untill you get a goodun.

Cheers
Grand