Comparing Solar Survey Vendors? Here's What to Ask

1Is the price fixed, or quoted per site?

Per-site quoting sounds flexible until you’re waiting on a number before you can schedule. It also means the complicated roofs — the ones you most want surveyed properly — are the ones that cost you most.

Where we standFlat $275 per site for surveys. Same price for a simple ranch and a cut-up hip roof, so nothing waits on a quote. Permit sets are the one thing we quote per engagement — scope varies too much between one roof and a multi-AHJ portfolio to post a number we’d have to walk back.

2What is the turnaround, and is it a commitment or an average?

“Typically 3–5 days” is not a turnaround, it’s a range with the bad weeks quietly removed. Ask what happens when they miss it.

Where we stand48 hours from survey to deliverable. 6 days to a permit-ready set. Those are the numbers we operate to, not our best month.

3Does one visit capture both the roof and the electrical?

This is the question that decides whether you get a second truck roll. Plenty of vendors capture roof geometry beautifully and leave your crew to go back for the service panel, the meter, and the interconnection point.

Where we standRoof plane, penetrations, obstructions, setbacks, service, panel and meter detail — captured in a single visit.

4Is it a service, or software you’ll be operating yourself?

Several products in this category are tools your own people fly, capture with, and process. That can be the right answer — if you have the headcount. It’s a very different purchase from someone showing up and handing you a finished set.

Where we standWe’re a service. Nobody on your team learns a new tool, flies anything, or processes anything. You send an address and receive documentation.

5Can you send a week’s worth of addresses at once?

Batch intake is the difference between surveys being an operational rhythm and being a task somebody has to remember to do twenty times a month.

Where we standYes. Send them in a batch. No per-site scoping call.

6How long have they actually been doing this?

This category has filled up with companies founded in the last two or three years. That isn’t disqualifying — but volume history tells you whether they’ve already met the edge case that’s about to cost you an install date.

Where we stand7+ years. Over 50,000 surveys delivered. 99% first-pass success rate.

7Will they tell you when they’re not a fit?

If your volume, geography, or project type isn’t a match, the honest answer saves you a quarter. Notice whether the first call is a qualification conversation or a closing one.

Where we standOur first call is 15 minutes and there’s no deck. If we’re not right for your volume or your region, we’ll say so on that call.

Seven questions worth asking before you sign with anyone.