Quoting - how do you all do it?

[PV Martin]

hi ez2own.

the only PV software i use is sunny design for the system figures the rest is either home made spread sheets, a word template for detailed system explanations and costings (as well as the MCS template for costings) and a 3d drawing package for visual impact, its great how much detail you can show with a 3d image, i have attached one where i got bored the weekend, the customer was thrilled. i suppose its a bit Tesco, but every little helps.resent:

 

[SolarCity]

You must be on site a long time taking measurements!

 

[PV Martin]

Biggssolar, the only thing that is truly to scale is the roof/chimneys/other roof detail and the property foot print, the rest is a visual representation from photographs. the REAL code says no more than 2 hours at a property, i am never there for more than 1, no coffee just get on and do the job in hand make sure the customer is happy and then off, time is money......simples!!

 

[SolarCity]

Looks great. How long does it take you to do and what package do you use? We supply a 3D image taken from PV Sol Expert and a photo using Photo Plan. Time consuming stuff.

 

[MorganPVI]

What drawing package is that Martin?

 

[PV Martin]

well its a trade secret and very expensive!!! OK its a free download called Google sketch up, the best thing about it is that hundreds of people have already drawn such things as solar panels,inverters etc so you can just import them from the library.... simples.

you will need to play and experement with it for a bit but it is very easy to use once you get the hang of it.

Have funresents2:

 

[northernsun]

awwww bloody hell martin man!!!!! You let the cat out the bag on that one.

I thought I was the only one using it till I saw this thread. Its a great programme when you get the hang of it innit?
If anyone does have ago I recommend having a look at the tutorials to learn how to use it- from the same place you download it.
Its fairly intuitive and easy to use when you know how but annoying when you dont!

 

[PV Martin]

sorry northen sun,

but hopefully it will help people in their quest and although i thought about keeping it quiet this forum has been so helpful to me sometimes you have to give something back. and you are right about the tutorials and like i said earlier in this thread if you spend a bit of time up front it saves you heaps later.

Cheers

 

[langstroth2]

...google tool found here Google SketchUp for those that like a quick link to check out.

My local theatre group use it for mocking up stage designs, it's not bad

 

[PV Martin]

come on then northen sun show us one of your mockups. would just like to see if mine are up to scratch. :cool3: lol

 

[northernsun]

This one was a bit of a cheat for my website.
You can also make videos:-Solar 3D demo film | Northern Sunlight


This is a customer one though.

 

[PV Martin]

v.good looks like i need to import more trees to keep up not thought about putting them on my website although i have been neglecting the website lately just had no time, which is a good thing i suppose it means i am busy.

 

[northernsun]

do you use the shading stuff martin?

 

[SRE]

How long does it take to do something like this? It looks great but I struggle for time every day, I even woke up in the middle of the night thinking that the owl hooting outside the window had something to do with REC panels. I'm not losing the plot - I lost it months ago

 

[series530]

In my industry a quote can take days if not weeks. Admittedly, the job is worth more but we also loose quite a few on price because we have large company overheads where as the small fred in a shed outfits do not.

I'm currently seriously looking to install PV panels. I feel bad about getting people out to do quotes because I appreciate the work involved and the fact that the hit rate can be an issue. It may seem daft but there's quite an investment for the purchaser too. We have to support somebody who is looking around our house for one or two hours and we have to listen to the sales pitch which, once you have understood most of the details behind the schemes becomes pretty repetitive. I feel it appropriate to get several installers out because I need to find somebody with whom I feel comfortable, who has good ideas and is offering a decent price. One idea feeds another and, at the end of the day, it comes down to who is willing to supply the final idea at a reasonable price.

It really annoys me when people choose purely on price. For sure, price does play a part. Within reason, I am willing to pay some level of premium for a better quality of product, for an installer who seriously considers the various options and doesn't just offer something from his palette of choices. The big question mark is how much more I am willing to pay and that's a tough one to answer. 30% more (for example) on a better quality washing machine is one thing, 30% on a PV system that will struggle to provide more than 10% gain over a less well designed system could be another matter entirely. The only way for me to make that decision is to meet the suppliers, engage with them, sound them out, see how well they present during and after the survey and then decide. All of that takes time and effort on both sides.