Before buying, ask about system sizing based on your actual bills, itemised component warranties, net-metering handling, installation timeline, and ongoing maintenance options. These five areas cover almost every issue that causes buyer regret after the sale, and a properly prepared installer should answer all of them clearly and in writing.
Sizing and Suitability
- "What system size do you recommend based on my last 6-12 months of bills?" — sizing should come from your consumption data, not a generic package.
- "Is my roof suitable, and what orientation and shading issues did you find?"
- "Should I consider on-grid or hybrid given my area's outage frequency?"
Cost, Warranty and Paperwork
- "Can I see an itemised bill of quantities, not just a total price?"
- "What's covered under warranty — workmanship, panels, inverter, battery, mounting structure — and for how long each?" Expect roughly 10 years workmanship, 25 years panel performance, 5-10 years inverter, and 3-5 years battery as reasonable benchmarks.
- "Who handles my IESCO net-metering application and NOC, and how long will approval take?" A complete application typically takes 4-6 weeks to activation.
Timeline, Financing and After-Sales Support
- "How long will installation take once we sign?" Residential installs typically run 3-5 days.
- "Do you offer financing or installment plans?" Options often include bank-partner financing and 6-24 month installments.
- "Do you offer maintenance after installation, and what does it include?" Look for tiered Annual Maintenance Contracts with a defined number of visits per year.
- "What's your emergency repair response time?" A responsible local installer should be able to quote a specific window, such as 2-4 hours within the city.
Why These Questions Matter More Than Price Alone
The cheapest quote often looks attractive until you discover it excludes net-metering support, has a vague warranty, or comes from a company with no local service capacity. Asking these questions upfront during your conversation with a solar installer filters out companies that can't deliver, before you've signed anything.
Tripower answers all of the above as standard: NEPRA certified, IESCO-approved, 500+ installations since 2014, tiered AMC plans, and 2-4 hour emergency response in Islamabad. Book a free site survey or call 0333 5207151 to ask us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ask about the panel brand specifically?
Yes — ask whether the panels are Tier-1 monocrystalline, currently the recommended standard for residential and commercial installs, and get the exact model and wattage in writing.
Is it reasonable to ask for references from past customers?
Absolutely — a company with genuine local project history, such as 500+ completed installations, should be able to point to visible projects or provide references without hesitation.
What if an installer can't answer the net metering timeline question?
That's a warning sign. A properly experienced installer should be able to explain the ~4-6 week IESCO process and who is responsible for each documentation step.