Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[North Texas]

Wow! Just finished reading. This scares me even more to hire someone for solar. I have 20+ year in construction and this thread even scares me.

[HX_Guy]

At least I can say I'm happy with the system itself. It's doing very well, can't wait for May/June to come around as those are the best months for solar here in Phoenix.



Thanks again to everyone who contributed and helped, I think this thread is ready to be put to rest.

[Living Large]

Nice use of link Sensij.

The C+ rating is hilarious, looks like one of the two complaints dropped off...probably has a time limit on it before it automatically drops off.

I could leave a review not there...or maybe just move on, forget about him, and enjoy my system.

Note that AZ SOLAR didn't even respond to the one recent complaint. So they probably had an F, and the passage of time is what raised it. Don't know if you can file a complaint after the fact - I don't believe there is anything to resolve at this point, other than warning others to STH away.

As the other person mentioned, having no reviews on Yelp, Angies List, and elsewhere is a warning sign. We've been over this - you did have satisfied customers as I recall. You can't be too careful.

[HX_Guy]

Nice use of link Sensij.

The C+ rating is hilarious, looks like one of the two complaints dropped off...probably has a time limit on it before it automatically drops off.

I could leave a review not there...or maybe just move on, forget about him, and enjoy my system.

[sensij]

The ROC hasn't even indicated that there is a complaint against him yet.

Also, he is up to a C+ on BBB.

It looks like doing the minimum, and then fixing what the inspector catches might be his MO.

From what I can tell, no yelp page, angie's list, or solarreviews.com. I don't know if it possible to leave reviews for companies that don't have a presence on any of those sites, but I'd give it a shot. Then again, anyone choosing to go with an installation from a company without a presence on any of those site is asking for trouble, which is just beating a dead horse.

[HX_Guy]

I guess I figured the allegations would at least pique their interest to look into the contractor a bit more...at least get his side of the story, see what he has to say, maybe even inspect some other jobs he has done? I guess ain't nobody got time for that.

[foo1bar]

Guy says "Well, if we can't verify the complaints there really isn't much that we can do about it, we'll have to close the case."

What did you expect?
I thought you posted the contents of the letter they sent you, and it outlined the next steps which basically said exactly what is happening now - that if it gets fixed the case will be closed. It got fixed, case is being closed.

You had a choice of whether to get your system running, or wait for the ROC - you chose to get your system running. (Probably the same option I would have chosen)

[Amy@altE]

Well so much for the Registrar of Contractors doing anything. Got a call from them today...

Funny, I guess my buddy that told me that he's heard doing an ROC complaint is pointless because even though the ROC tried to come off as protecting the consumer, they are really built more to protect the contract since that is who pays them through renewal fees and such was right.

Fox guarding the hen house.

[sensij]

Not as high as the DIY hacks and fly by night contractors that do bathroom and kitchen remodels.

You aren't trying hard enough, very easy to mess up the structural soundness of a house. I've seen compromised floor joist from ducting and plumbing. Incorrect headers for windows and doors. Roof and ceiling modifications that seem like a good idea. Load bearing walls removed or compromised. All these things are invisible and can't be inspected without a high cost.

I would think it would actually be much easier to inspect a solar install, especially if its been in service for a couple of years.

Yes, which is exactly why I assume that the renovations need to be inspected. I can choose to avoid the hassle and not buy a house with solar. I can't choose to buy a house without a bathroom or kitchen.

[HX_Guy]

The complaint was only filed two weeks back - give them some time. As far as they are concerned there are two sides to the story - they have to have both to do anything.

Well so much for the Registrar of Contractors doing anything. Got a call from them today...

"Hello, we'd like to come out and do a site inspection...unless everything has already been fixed?" :kierf:

I told the guy they came back out to fix the items, again incorrectly, failed inspection again...so I fixed the items, and it passed. Guy says "Well, if we can't verify the complaints there really isn't much that we can do about it, we'll have to close the case."

I expressed my concern to him on how this company is doing very poor work that goes un-inspected, I thought maybe the ROC would be a bit more pro-active and look into the company themselves but apparently not. I asked if the contract submitted a written answer to the allegations like the letter sent to them requested, and of course they haven't. The ROC actually said that that is more of a request, not something legally binding of them to do.

Funny, I guess my buddy that told me that he's heard doing an ROC complaint is pointless because even though the ROC tried to come off as protecting the consumer, they are really built more to protect the contract since that is who pays them through renewal fees and such was right.

[prhamilton]

Not as high as the DIY hacks and fly by night contractors that do bathroom and kitchen remodels.

You aren't trying hard enough, very easy to mess up the structural soundness of a house. I've seen compromised floor joist from ducting and plumbing. Incorrect headers for windows and doors. Roof and ceiling modifications that seem like a good idea. Load bearing walls removed or compromised. All these things are invisible and can't be inspected without a high cost.

I would think it would actually be much easier to inspect a solar install, especially if its been in service for a couple of years.

[sensij]

You can say that about any major sub-system of a home. How do you verify a sewer line was correctly designed and installed? What about the enclosed structural elements? You having an engineer verify all the point loads are designed correctly and house is structurally sound?

The frequency with which PV systems are installed by DIY hacks or fly-by-night contractors appears to be high. It is harder to screw up the structural soundness of the house, although people manage to do that too. I generally assume that any renovation work done by a previous owner was done incorrectly, and inspect it accordingly.

[prhamilton]

it's another example why I'd never buy a home with an existing solar system attached - simply put - unverifiable QA.

You can say that about any major sub-system of a home. How do you verify a sewer line was correctly designed and installed? What about the enclosed structural elements? You having an engineer verify all the point loads are designed correctly and house is structurally sound?

I would think a home inspector could/should do a reasonable job judging the quality of a solar installation. Does make me wonder if there are home inspectors that get specialized training in solar installs and the type mistakes or shortcuts to look for. I know when I bought my last house there were some drainage issues and the home inspector recommend a specialize inspection.

I think HX_guy could start a business doing solar install inspections. Pay him $500 to yank cables and check flashing would be money well spent after a new install or before buying a house.

[alienwulf]

The contractor has a way out, just tell the ROC whats the problem? system passed inspection. Client is just a flake complaining about nothing. I see that coming from him.

[Living Large]

On a side note, I talked to a friend of mine who knows a guy at the ROC (or something to that effect) that said, as hard as it may be to believe, that the ROC actually sides with contractors while trying to come off as siding with the consumer. Reason being is that the contractors pay them through yearly renewal fees etc, so the more contractors on board the better. You'd think it would be corrupt like that, and it may not even be true, but would be sad if it is.

EDIT As Russ said, there hasn't been enough time yet for the process you describe to have played out. They may not have heard back from him yet, or have a reply and need some time (week?) to process it.

By comparison, from what I know and have experienced with the BBB, it has its own incestuous nature. Businesses that pay for membership seem to always have A and A+ ratings. Businesses that don't, can have ratings over a much larger range. I have had the best luck making complaints against businesses that are NOT members. I spoke with one business rep after my complaint was resolved to my satisfaction, and she said "I HATE dealing with the BBB." My car repair shop has been a member but not currently, and views membership as "extortion."

What you describe doesn't surprise me at all. I think your last sentence is supposed to begin "You'd think it wouldn't be corrupt like that..."