Fully installed prices

[SRE]

How much for SolarPV? - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums found this - some of the prices are scary, won't be worth all the MCS hassle shortly - 13k for 3.9 Sanyo system .... what does everyone else think?

 

[jerriais]

Recently spoke to a customer who went for a 3.9 kWp system for £11,900, and the guy was willing to travel 6 hours to do the install. The industry will be very difficult to sustain if margins are that thin.

 

[bugsy]

Wait till the big boy's jump in it'll be a dutch auction

 

[SRE]

The big boys are in - Mark Group, British Gas, Eaga, Tesco, Npower etc etc. They aren't the problem it's the small independents who don't fully understand the cost of delivering the service. £11,900 is probably do-able with Chinese panels and cheap inverters if customers aren't too picky but I don't understand the travelling 6 hours bit - we've got more work than we can cope with on our doorstep ..

 

[Noshocks]

I completed a 3.89kw using Sanyo for 12,750 last week, it was less than a mile from my office, i think this was as low as i could go to be profitable and I have low oerheads. larger company was not far off my price after lowering offer at the last moment.
Its going to get a lot more competative next year as I know many sparks are signed up to do the 2372, even if only 20% go on to MCS registration.

 

[SRE]

That's low, by the time you've paid for insurance, training, tools, admin support, accountant, marketing etc there can't be much left - unless I'm buying from the wrong place ....

 

[SolarCity]

That's low, by the time you've paid for insurance, training, tools, admin support, accountant, marketing etc there can't be much left - unless I'm buying from the wrong place ....

My thoughts exactly.

 

[MCS Renewables]

If you add in the cashflow issues with VAT on purchased kit at 20% and invoiced out VAT at 5% its getting harder and harder. We were owed over £20K last quarter from the VAT office and they took the entire month to pay it .

Another problem is that the nationals and sharks have commission driven salesmen, who despite the REAL and MCS rules get a deposit cheque on the day. I know the customer is at fault for being weak but we have heard of people paying "Ideal" and the like over £20K for 2kW systems and then fitting very poor kit.

 

[Noshocks]

I dont disagree with you about price, but I dont advertise, all my insurances, tools, accountant etc etc I pay anyway as part of being an electrical contractor, and even at this price its way more than housebashing. Having said that I did get a good deal on the modules, but it was tight.

 

[tonys]

The Germans and Americans are on there way, read between the lines of the following link and decide whether little businesses are being catered for ?

Solar industry review to ban 'hot money’ - Telegraph

Big business leaders are telling Government not to meddle, so there you have it, all about the big boys. They employ the little person for their qualifications to install and sign of the jobs for a wage.

Once again, training centers earning a small fortune. I was going to do the course but adding up all the costs, overheads etc, decided it was a bit of a con.

 

[SRE]

If you add in the cashflow issues with VAT on purchased kit at 20% and invoiced out VAT at 5% its getting harder and harder. We were owed over £20K last quarter from the VAT office and they took the entire month to pay it .

Another problem is that the nationals and sharks have commission driven salesmen, who despite the REAL and MCS rules get a deposit cheque on the day. I know the customer is at fault for being weak but we have heard of people paying "Ideal" and the like over £20K for 2kW systems and then fitting very poor kit.

I've been trying to get vat registered since september - still waiting ... it's costing a fortune and i'm getting a bit sick of beans!

Just priced a 21kwp @ £158k - does that sound reasonable??????

 

[SolarCity]

Just priced a 21kwp @ £158k - does that sound reasonable??????

I'd say £158k is a pretty good price.

 

[Markc]

Your price is your business and I don't just mean keep it to yourself. It could be the difference between your business or not your business.

At the bottom of all the pages on the forum is a monitor on how many members and how many guests are viewing. Guests = Joe Public. Its always higher than members. Why advertise your prices on here. Thats between you and the customer.

 

[SRE]

Thanks guys - no-one in a 50 mile radius and I'm not telling you where I am won't be like that for long I know ....

 

[SolarCity]

Why advertise your prices on here. Thats between you and the customer.

I strongly agree.

 

[SRE]

Advice taken - amended .....

 

[Markc]

Thanks guys - no-one in a 50 mile radius and I'm not telling you where I am won't be like that for long I know ....

I said that last April! Now i'm in an area populated with the most installers in the UK!

Just imagine talking to a potential customer about prices who's reply is well I've seen it written on a forum that I can get that for XYZ!

Not having a go. Just making a living!

 

[SolarCity]

Advice taken - amended .....

LOL! I'd love to see the payback period on that price ;-)

 

[thekingiam]

Sre you eddited your post however someone has quoted your original post, am I correct?
Maybe other member would like to edit there post?
Just a sugestion .

 

[SolarCity]

Maybe other member would like to edit there post?
Just a sugestion .

Sorted....

 

[SRE]

Thanks everyone - one day I'll learn to keep my gob shut!

 

[thekingiam]

Lol job done.

 

[donkeykong99]

apologies for bumping this oldish thread, was reading the MSE forum and it looks like a lot of people are buying the 'max' systems just below 4KW for between £11 and £12k inc VAT. This is for decent kit, sharp panels SMA inverters etc

Could any of you installers advise if the panels have become cheaper for you to buy due to the big pickup in demand or were you just making massive killings before ;D ?

 

[Graeme Harrold]

apologies for bumping this oldish thread, was reading the MSE forum and it looks like a lot of people are buying the 'max' systems just below 4KW for between £11 and £12k inc VAT. This is for decent kit, sharp panels SMA inverters etc

Could any of you installers advise if the panels have become cheaper for you to buy due to the big pickup in demand or were you just making massive killings before ;D ?

2 quotes you should always remember -

"You Get what you pay for" and thats not restricted to the kit thats fitted. This includes the quality of fitting, on going support, peace of mind etc....

“The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.” This is a install that you want working for 25 years plus. You squeeze your installer on cost, something has to give!!!

Panel prices have come down due to advances in manufacturing techniques and quantities produced, and with newer higher eficiency panels, the standard panel prices will drop.

 

[SRE]

Panel prices have dropped significantly and some installers are sailing close to the wind when calculating their overheads. We're spending significant amounts on specialist tools, services and software every month, it's all got to be paid for - including funding the vat man a quarter at a time!

 

[donkeykong99]

What is the cost price, roughly, of a sharp 185 panel out of curiosity ?

 

[SolarCity]

What is the cost price, roughly, of a sharp 185 panel out of curiosity ?

I don't think you should be asking these questions on a trade forum. When a jeweller makes you a bracelet, do you ask him how much the gold cost him? When you buy a car, do you ask how much the chassis cost?

If a company is doing a 4kWp install for 11k to 12k including VAT, while I would be reluctant to say you would be receiving a poorly installed job, I do wonder (worry) how they cope with their overheads - We recently calculated that for every install, we need three man-days off-site (including surveying, designing, quoting, commissioning and after care).

 

[SRE]

What is the cost price, roughly, of a sharp 185 panel out of curiosity ?

Are you seriously expecting an answer to this? Go through the agony of training, MCS & REAL certification and extortionate insurance premiums and then do what everyone else does and go to the wholesalers. Otherwise buy from a decent local installer and contribute to the local economy. No-one works for nothing and only the foolish would disclose their margins. The principle behind business is to buy at wholesale, cover your costs and make a profit without ripping off your customer, pay your taxes, employ staff and everyone benefits. The purpose of a charity is to help those who can't help themselves without making a profit, paying few if any taxes and "employing" voluntary workers. I don't think you'll find any charities on this Forum.

Or perhps the question was tongue in cheek

 

[SRE]

The Vat Mans Killing ME !!!!!

Us too and we've been told we'll be "investigated" regularly as standard because we're installing renewables and getting vat back. Not only do I need to fund an overdraft to cover the costs but it takes forever to get the cash back!

 

[Markc]

Us too and we've been told we'll be "investigated" regularly as standard because we're installing renewables and getting vat back. Not only do I need to fund an overdraft to cover the costs but it takes forever to get the cash back!

VAT Investigation is nothing to worry about. I have had several over the years and every single one has been no more than a visit in the day to our office a look through our books and a Ok at the end. Just keep your books up to date and don't try to fiddle the VAT.