Someone Cheer Me Up!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SRE]

Just lost a job where you couldn't physically fit 4kwp onto it to another installer who can. I've tried every panel configuration I can think of with loads of different panels. One part of me thinks it was 2 hrs away and there was about £500 in it so it's not a massive loss, then I think of the 2 days and about 20 emails I've exchanged and I'm fuming!!!!!

 

[finchy]

The panels will probably go over the ridge! Can't believe I actual saw that another installer has done that near me. Surely the council should take a walk around and be able to bring these rogue installers to account.

 

[whinmoor]

Just lost a job where you couldn't physically fit 4kwp onto it to another installer who can. I've tried every panel configuration I can think of with loads of different panels. One part of me thinks it was 2 hrs away and there was about £500 in it so it's not a massive loss, then I think of the 2 days and about 20 emails I've exchanged and I'm fuming!!!!!

Maybe he was going for a north/south split? "It's fine, sir. All the panels will point at the same sky...."

 

[Toonlad]

The panels will probably go over the ridge! Can't believe I actual saw that another installer has done that near me. Surely the council should take a walk around and be able to bring these rogue installers to account.

The council do walk about, they never look up, they just pass comment on your garden, and send a reminder of your tenancy agreement

 

[sedgy34]

Just lost a job where you couldn't physically fit 4kwp onto it to another installer who can. I've tried every panel configuration I can think of with loads of different panels. One part of me thinks it was 2 hrs away and there was about £500 in it so it's not a massive loss, then I think of the 2 days and about 20 emails I've exchanged and I'm fuming!!!!!

You need to stop taking it personal matey some you win some you don't simples

 

[JD6400]

Maybe you lost out to the fella in " The show us your work thread " ?

I know this is bitchy , but how could he go from the post before to the the one now !
I hope i do not sound like the "solar police " , but surly there are times when you have to say to your self " Just NO " and walk away from it !?

 

[finchy]

The chap on the main forum installing panels on a house vertically .... That's how to fit more !! He shouldn't be posting those pictures! How low can solar go ! Moderate !!

 

[whinmoor]

I'd be more concerned with not using scaffolding. We had the H&S guy visit a few months back and he said a scaffolding tower was the bare minimum. To work on the roof with no fall protection like they seem to be doing looks very precarious. And then he goes and advertises it on a public forum !!

 

[SRE]

That was my immediate thought but then I did think (being generous) that he'd had to take it down to install the dogs dinner at the bottom. I suspect Finchy is correct and I've lost out to a similar installer.

Sedgy - we're passionate about our customers that's why I take it personally. It's an advantage sometimes and other times it's a disadvantage but I'd rather care about what I do than just turn up every day to earn a crust

 

[JulianC]

From an email just in:

"would you prefer to visit my home to give a quotation, or, like your competitors, would you prefer providing a quotation based on viewing my property on Google Earth?"

This is for integrated pv tiles in a conservation area. Google Earth must be amazing. Not only can it accurately tell me the size of his roof, the pitch and details of any shading, it can obviously give his electrical installation a quick once over and check the condition of his roof structure. Awesome. Should save me a bit of diesel.

 

[SRE]

Had a customer wanted one of these last week - he couldn't understand why I needed to visit. I'm supposed to have re-booked the appointment but I just keep thinking what's the point we're not the cheapest and that's clearly what he wants.

 

[Gavin A]

From an email just in:

"would you prefer to visit my home to give a quotation, or, like your competitors, would you prefer providing a quotation based on viewing my property on Google Earth?"

This is for integrated pv tiles in a conservation area. Google Earth must be amazing. Not only can it accurately tell me the size of his roof, the pitch and details of any shading, it can obviously give his electrical installation a quick once over and check the condition of his roof structure. Awesome. Should save me a bit of diesel.

we do both.

Initial quote based on google earth, and 3d model, followed by site survey to verify the measurements, check electrics, check roof structure etc once the customer is aware of the costings and suggested design etc.

The 3d models are usually accurate to with a few cm unless there have been major changes since the image was taken, or on the rare occasion that the building happens to be on a join in the images google earth uses - as was the case recently with a roof that turned out to be 9m wide instead of the 6m shown by google earth.

We find this a good way of making an initial assessment of what's likely to be the best option, assessing shading etc prior to the survey, so the surveyor knows what to check for, and can discuss the design and options with the customers as long as the measurements all check out, rather than being put on the spot by the customers to work out what would fit.

Sometimes we'll do it the other way around as well, but we do usually also try to arrange for a survey appointment for 2-3 days in advance at the time they initially inquire.

 

[finchy]

Little tip Bing maps is good for the initial shading analysis click on each orientation you will see the shading. Obviously it's an initial check as trees grow but shading on buildings etc and gives you an idea before you visit. Also google street view good to look at angles too. However we would always visit to firm up initial feasibility study and never give a quote based on that.