"Hey Finn, I'm getting quotes, but installers aren't providing itemised price breakdowns. I want to ensure I'm not overpaying, but bundled pricing makes this difficult."
While you have the right to request itemised pricing, most installers won't provide it.
Here's why:
1) To avoid component price haggling
aka "You quoted me $1800 for this inverter when I found this random website offering it for $1749!"
2) Because it's a pain in the arse.
Solar systems are often customised to meet your home’s energy needs, but the components themselves are standard across multiple installations. Tailoring each quote even more by itemising sub-components and labour would be a complete ball-ache.
3) To protect their pricing agreements
Solar is bloody competitive. The last thing an installer wants is to tip their hand to competitors that they're getting a sweet deal from their wholesaler, subcontracting company or what they pay their in-house install crews.
4) To keep their overheads down, which saves you money. Seriously, these guys are busy. They simply don't have the time to itemise every quote, which would make every system more expensive for everyone.
My advice? If you only consider installers providing full itemised pricing, you seriously limit your options.
Focus on the full value provided by the system—its total size, brands used, and final price after rebates and discounts. If your quotes vary in price for similar systems, politely ask your installers why.
A final thought: Australia has the best value solar in the world (in the USA, it is at least three times more expensive) because the quoting and installation process is so efficient. I want to keep it that way.
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