Short answer: no. We are not the cheapest solar and battery installer on the Gold Coast, and we do not try to be.
That is an odd thing for a solar company to put in writing. But price is the first question almost everyone asks, and most installers dodge it. We would rather give you a straight answer, explain where the money goes, and be honest about when we are not the right company for you.
In this article you will learn:
- Why we do not publish prices online
- Why two quotes for "the same system" can be thousands of dollars apart
- Where the money goes on a Green Coast job
- Where we are good value, and where we are not
- How to compare quotes fairly
Why we do not put prices on our website
Every home is different. The price of a system depends on your roof, the shading, your switchboard, where a battery can safely go, and most of all on how and when your household uses power. A price on a website is either a guess, or it is for a system that has not been designed for anyone.
So we do it the other way round. First a relaxed phone or video chat about your home and your goals. Then, if it is a fit, an on-site assessment. Then a written quote with a real price that will not change when someone finally looks at your roof. Our quotes are valid for 30 days unless stated, so you have time to think.
Why two quotes can be so far apart
It is common to get three quotes that look similar on paper and differ by thousands of dollars. Usually the cheaper one is not a better deal. It is a different job. These are the things we see most often:
- No site visit. A quote done from a satellite photo cannot see a tired switchboard, a cracked tile or a meter box with no room. Those things get found on install day, and the price changes then.
- Switchboard work left out. Many older Gold Coast homes need switchboard work before solar or a battery can go in safely. Some quotes simply do not mention it.
- Sized off the bill. A system sized only from your bill can end up too big for your evening use or too small for your daytime use. It looks cheap per kilowatt and does not do what you needed.
- Subcontracted installs. The company that sells the job is often not the company that installs it. There is a margin for the seller and a margin for the subcontractor, and the subcontractor is paid by the job, not by how well it is done.
- Cheaper mounting and parts. On a coastal roof, the racking, fixings and cable protection matter. They are easy to cut back on, and you cannot see the difference from the street.
None of this means every cheap quote is bad. It means you need to know what is in it.
Where the money goes on a Green Coast job
When you look at our quote, this is what you are paying for.
- Our own people, start to finish. Every quote is given by Ash or one of our tradesmen. Every job is installed by our own staff. We do not subcontract the work out, and there are no hand-offs.
- No retailer in the middle. When you buy direct from us, there is no separate retailer taking a margin on top of the installer.
- Engineer-led design. Ash spent eight years as a civil and structural engineer before becoming an electrician. Systems are designed from how and when your household uses energy, not sized off the bill alone.
- A proper site assessment before you get a price, so the price holds.
- Tier-1 products with strong manufacturer warranties.
- The paperwork. Grid connection, STC paperwork and the federal battery rebate are handled in-house. The STC discount comes straight off the quote.
- A 10-year workmanship warranty from a company that has been installing since 2009, with an office in Arundel you can walk into.
That last point is the one people underrate. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. The question is not how long the warranty is. It is who answers the phone in year seven.
Where we are good value
Based on more than 6,000 systems and 500+ batteries, these are the jobs where our way of working tends to pay for itself:
- Batteries. Placement, switchboard work, backup design and safety labelling all matter. Every battery install is done or supervised by a battery-accredited installer.
- Older homes where the switchboard, wiring or roof needs a proper look first.
- Coastal homes where salt, wind and roof type change what should go on the roof.
- People who want one company for the life of the system, for questions, service and warranty.
Where we are probably not the right fit
We would rather tell you now than waste your time.
- If the lowest price is the only thing that matters, you will likely find a lower number elsewhere.
- If you want a firm price without anyone looking at the home, we will not give you one. We think that leads to surprises.
- Commercial jobs. We do residential only.
- Homes outside our area. We cover the Gold Coast, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Northern NSW.
How to compare quotes fairly
Put the quotes side by side and check each one for the same things:
- Has someone inspected the roof and switchboard?
- Is switchboard work included, or listed as a possible extra?
- Who installs it: employees or subcontractors?
- What workmanship warranty is offered, and how long has the company been trading under that name?
- Is the STC discount and any battery rebate shown clearly?
- For a battery: is backup included, and where will it go?
- Is there an install date in writing?
Our article on how to check a solar installer before you sign goes through these in more detail.
Bottom line
We are not the cheapest, and we will not pretend to be. What you get is a system designed around your home, installed by our own team, with paperwork handled and a local company standing behind it. For many of our customers that is worth more than the difference. For some it is not, and that is fine too.
If you would like a written quote to compare, start with a free, no-obligation chat. Book a free consultation or call 0468 097 875.
FAQ: solar prices
How much does solar cost on the Gold Coast?
It depends on your usage, roof, switchboard and goals. We give a written price after a consultation and site assessment, because a price without those is a guess.
Do you price match?
We do not chase the lowest number. We are happy to go through a competing quote with you line by line so you can see what is and is not included.
Is the STC rebate included in your price?
Yes. The STC discount is applied at the point of sale and shown on the quote.
How long is your quote valid for?
30 days unless the quote says otherwise.
