More home buyers today want sustainable living features and energy efficiency. This helps to reduce your carbon footprint while also adding value to your home. In fact, according to This Old House, solar panel installation increases property sale prices by approximately 4.1%. Before you hire a solar panel contractor, be sure to look for the following eight qualities.

1. Dedication to the Environment

Adding a rooftop solar panel allows homeowners to harness the sun's energy and greatly slash expensive electric bills through clean power generation. This tangible return on investment itself boosts resale value down the road. Rooftop solar also reduces reliance on fossil fuel-powered grid electricity. With this in mind, be sure to hire a solar company with the best intentions. A business dedicated to the environment will understand the science behind solar panel energy and will position yours correctly on your property for optimal efficiency.

2. Proper Experience

When you hire a company for a home improvement project as important as solar panel installation, you need the best in the business. A top company will have the proper experience to put to work for you, as employees are trained and knowledgable to get the job done with ease.

3. Good Reviews

When it comes time to hire a solar panel contractor to install your residential solar system, it's crucial to do your research first. This means reading reviews and customer testimonials on the company website as well as looking on sites like Google for further information. Excellent reviews will point to a company's professionalism and dependability!

4. Great Customer Service

In this day and age, outstanding customer service is how potential customers turn into people who sign on the dotted line. When you call a company to learn more about their services and experience, is the person on the other end of the line happy to speak with you and answer your questions? Do they sound bored and irritated? This first impression matters. When you contact companies for additional information, consider how they appear over the phone. Poor customer service can cause you headaches down the road.

5. Free Estimates

A company that offers a free quote for their work is one you want to consider hiring. Providing a free estimate says a lot about a company; it portrays confidence, reliability, and an appreciation for potential clientele. When you call around to potential solar panel companies you want to hire, be sure to ask about free quotes. This way, you can learn about pricing in your area and determine which businesses are overcharging.

6. Excellent References

Looking at photos of solar panels on homes on the internet won't tell you much about how yours will look after installation is said and done. That's why you should ask solar panel companies in your area for reference photos. This way, you can see how past projects look and whether you want to follow through with hiring a business. You may find examples of sloppy work, and you don't want to invest in a solar system from businesses providing shoddy installation work.

7. High-Quality Equipment

Hiring a solar panel company to install a solar system on your home is an investment you can't take lightly. That's why you must hire a company that only uses high-quality equipment, tools, and materials to complete their projects. For example, top brands in the solar industry include Enphase, SolarEdge, Hanwa Q-Cell, Silfab, Generac, Tesla, Unirac, and URE. A solar business utilizing equipment from such manufacturers won't let you down!

8. Internal Employment

When it comes to home improvement projects, you don't want to hire a company that subcontracts their workers. Subcontractors may not have the level of expertise you need, especially when it comes to a solar panel installation project. When you're researching solar companies in your area, be sure to learn about their employment processes. Internal employment is best for proper solar panel installation.

If you're looking to learn more about the solar panel installation process and whether it's right for your home, contact our experienced and reliable team at Solar Savings Direct, Inc. We take pride in our work and always provide free estimates for potential customers like you! Call us today. We look forward to assisting you soon!