Solar PV Quote
Discussion
x5x3 said:
we've had a quote for installation of Solar PV and battery, they've named the hardware to be used so I've been online and got prices for them all. The hardware comes to just over 60% of the quote - is this normal?
AI overview is a useful answer here. "There is no single rule for how much of a quote should be for materials, as the ratio heavily depends on the trade and the scope of work. However, looking strictly at the project costs, materials typically make up 30% to 50% of a standard construction or trades quote, with the remainder going toward labor, overhead, and profit."How little did you expect the total bill to be compared to the materials, realistically? Access equipment, expertise, sign-off, materials, labour, overheads, and profit. These all cost. If it was that easy, you'd do it yourself!
x5x3 said:
I have zero idea, I have zero DIY skills, always relied on trusted tradespeople to do things we needed round the house. No trusted Solar installers and hence the question.
Thankyou for your reply - I appreciate it.
No problems, and hope it didn't sound rude. Just an alternative viewpoint; pricing jobs is far more complex than a lot realise, and it's definitely not all mark-up. Even the cost of being accredited and fees for things that people wouldn't think of add up quite dramatically.Thankyou for your reply - I appreciate it.
DorsetSparky said:
x5x3 said:
I have zero idea, I have zero DIY skills, always relied on trusted tradespeople to do things we needed round the house. No trusted Solar installers and hence the question.
Thankyou for your reply - I appreciate it.
No problems, and hope it didn't sound rude. Just an alternative viewpoint; pricing jobs is far more complex than a lot realise, and it's definitely not all mark-up. Even the cost of being accredited and fees for things that people wouldn't think of add up quite dramatically.Thankyou for your reply - I appreciate it.
Sideways Tim said:
I d be interested to know what your quote works out at. We ve had a couple now and they seem to be in the same ballpark. Not sure whether to go straight for a bigger battery system, or see how we get on first and add more later if needed
I'm no expert (knew zero two weeks ago) but I believe more battery gives you more flexibility to either use the stored energy or sell it to the grid at the right time of day.Are the prices you got online inclusive of VAT? If so, you need to take that into account when comparing prices.
If you could buy a batttery retail for say £1800 inc VAT then buying as part of an installation package will see that reduced to £1500 because there’s then no VAT involved. Some installers probably rely on you not noticing that when you’re comparing prices.
The guys who installed our system effectively wanted almost a grand per battery to install them… four wall bolts and three wires.
We held off getting batteries for a while as a result.
If you could buy a batttery retail for say £1800 inc VAT then buying as part of an installation package will see that reduced to £1500 because there’s then no VAT involved. Some installers probably rely on you not noticing that when you’re comparing prices.
The guys who installed our system effectively wanted almost a grand per battery to install them… four wall bolts and three wires.
We held off getting batteries for a while as a result.
Sideways Tim said:
Not sure whether to go straight for a bigger battery system, or see how we get on first and add more later if needed
AIUI, you need to match any additional batteries to the old ones, so don’t take too long to make a decision about whether to buy additional ones. The payback time on extras can also be longer than on the first one. x5x3 said:
we've had a quote for installation of Solar PV and battery, they've named the hardware to be used so I've been online and got prices for them all. The hardware comes to just over 60% of the quote - is this normal?
Sounds about right - scaffolding, labour, qualifications.Put it this way, I put my own 4.5Kw system in with 3.6 inverter and 10Kwh of batteries. It cost me around £3500 all in (mounting rails, the lot) trade. It took me 1 whole (ish) day - barn roof so easy - no scaffolding. If you asked me to do it for you I'd charge around £5500. I'd just not want the hassle (ongoing support, surprised during installation etc) for less, and, I'm not qualified!
Batteries are beyond easy to install btw. Growatt, for example, supply instructions for all their kit that is clearly not just aimed at pros - it's really well laid out and explained with photos etc. Batteries were two power wires and one network wire per battery - then to inverter.
It's much the same work to install a £300 battery as a £3000 one.
Same as installing a £3 socket is going to cost actual money.
The cables and 'odds and ends', plus mounting hardware cost significant amounts.
The OP's % isn't very useful. But typically, the main 'headline' components seem to be under half the bill?
E.g. 5kw of panels is a grand, an inverter can be under a grand and a fair sized battery can be two grand. All installed, ten or twelve grand?
Same as installing a £3 socket is going to cost actual money.
The cables and 'odds and ends', plus mounting hardware cost significant amounts.
The OP's % isn't very useful. But typically, the main 'headline' components seem to be under half the bill?
E.g. 5kw of panels is a grand, an inverter can be under a grand and a fair sized battery can be two grand. All installed, ten or twelve grand?
OutInTheShed said:
The cables and 'odds and ends', plus mounting hardware cost significant amounts.
The panel mounting kit can add up quote fast.(all plus vat)
My 10 x 455w panels cost me £490
INverter £325 (hybrid 3.6kw)
Mounting hardware: £257 (Fastenol rails and clamps)
The other bits, not so much (cables,. MC4s, isolators x 4, stickers) £125
So my panels cost £490, the kit to mount and connect them, £382.!!
That's trade, and I'm not an installer, so they get better prices again.
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