Post-installation snagging
Your solar installation is complete and the inverter is running, but you have noticed things that do not look quite right. Missing labels, damaged roof tiles, loose cables, cosmetic marks, or incomplete documentation. Most solar installations have at least a few snagging items — some cosmetic, some worth fixing.
We help you identify what is normal, what needs fixing, and how to get your installer back to complete the work properly.
An independent post-installation snag inspection documents all defects and incomplete work — from missing labels and damaged tiles to loose connections and poor cosmetic finish. You get a formal report and written evidence if you need to escalate.
Book a snag inspection — from £195 → What's includedCommon snagging issues after installation
Here are the issues we see most often. Some are cosmetic, some are worth fixing, and some are legitimate defects.
Broken or lifted roof tiles, gaps around roof flashings, missing sealant, or visible cracks. This is not cosmetic — water can ingress around roof penetrations, causing damage inside the loft and property. Roof defects must be fixed before final handover.
DC cables hanging loose, not clipped to the roof properly, not routed through cable trays or conduit, or visibly messy. Poor cable routing is a safety and aesthetics issue. Cables should be neatly fixed and protected. This is a legitimate snagging item.
DC isolator, AC isolator, battery isolator (if installed), or inverter mode not labelled. Warning signs missing. Labels are required by UK building regulations and safety standards. Missing labels are a compliance issue and should be added before final sign-off.
Minor scuffing on frame rails, paint marks from drilling, small marks on roof or walls, or aesthetic blemishes that do not affect function. These are cosmetic and lower priority, but worth noting if the installation was supposed to be 'like new' on completion.
Equipment installed in damp areas, exposed to direct sun, placed where it blocks access, or mounted at an awkward height. Poor placement can affect performance and longevity. The installer should relocate equipment to a more suitable location if it is genuinely problematic.
Missing MCS installation certificate, no electrical safety certificate (NICEIC/NAPIT), no Building Regulations completion, no user manuals, or incomplete commissioning notes. Documentation is essential for warranty, export payments, and future sales. The installer must provide all paperwork before you sign off.
What is normal vs what needs fixing
A quick reference to help you distinguish between acceptable variations and genuine defects.
Step-by-step: how to raise snagging issues
Follow this process to document, report, and resolve snagging items with your installer.
Walk around your entire installation — on the roof, around the inverter, at the battery (if installed), and check all visible wiring and connections. Take clear photos of any issues you notice. Record the date, time, and location of each problem. If possible, use a spreadsheet or simple document to organize your findings with photo references.
Be thorough but fair — do not nitpick minor cosmetic marks, but do flag anything that affects safety, function, or looks incomplete.
Compile your observations into a clear, written list organized by area (roof, wiring, equipment, documentation). For each item, describe what you found, where it is, why you think it is an issue, and how urgent it is (cosmetic, needs fixing, urgent). Do not rely on a phone call — written documentation is essential if you need to escalate.
Example format: "Roof: Two cracked tiles on east side of panel array — water ingress risk. Photos attached. Priority: Urgent."
Email your snagging list to your installer with all photos attached or linked. Use email so you have a clear date stamp and audit trail. Explain that you are requesting these items be completed as part of the post-installation service. Be polite and professional — you want them to come back and fix things, not get defensive.
Subject line example: "Post-installation snagging items — [Your address] — requesting completion"
Allow your installer 14 days to acknowledge your list and schedule a return visit. Most reputable installers will come back within 7–14 days to complete snagging work — it is a standard part of the installation contract. They may ask for clarification or dispute some items, but they should engage with you.
If you do not hear back within 14 days, send a follow-up email. If they still do not respond, or if they refuse to complete the work, proceed to the next step.
If your installer is unresponsive or refuses to fix snagging items, book an independent post-installation snag inspection. An independent inspector will assess all issues, document them formally with photos and measurements, and provide a written report. This report becomes evidence if you need to escalate the complaint.
With a formal report, you can pursue a complaint through the installer's trade body (MCS, NAPIT, RECC), withhold or reduce final payment, or seek legal advice if the issues are safety-critical.
Frequently asked questions
Check immediately — ideally while the installer is still on site or within the first 24 hours after they leave. It is much easier to ask them to fix something while they are there than to arrange a return visit later. Walk around the entire installation (roof, wiring, equipment, documentation) and look for loose cables, damaged tiles, missing labels, paint marks, or incomplete work. If you spot anything unusual, raise it with the installer before they leave or send them a detailed list within 48 hours.
Some visual difference is normal. The area around roof penetrations will look different — new flashing, new sealant, or a slight color mismatch as the dust settles. However, broken or cracked tiles, tiles that are lifted or loose, visible gaps around roof flashings, or poor sealant are not normal and need fixing. If tiles are visibly damaged (not just dusty or slightly discolored), this is a snagging item. Ask the installer to check and seal the roof properly, or ask them to replace any damaged tiles before they leave.
Yes. UK Building Regulations and electrical safety standards require that all electrical circuits and isolation points are clearly labelled. This includes: the DC isolator switch (main switch), AC isolator, battery isolator (if installed), inverter mode labels, and warning signs about electrical hazard. Missing labels are a compliance issue and a legitimate snagging item — not cosmetic. Your installer should add these labels before you sign off on the installation. Ask them directly if you do not see them.
Not all snagging is cosmetic. Missing safety labels, cracked roof tiles, exposed DC cables, loose connections, and gaps around roof flashings are not cosmetic — they are legitimate defects affecting safety, compliance, or property integrity. If your installer refuses to fix these, book an independent post-installation snag inspection. The inspector's formal report provides evidence for a complaint to the installer's accredited trade body (MCS, NAPIT, RECC), a withholding of final payment, or legal action if needed. Cosmetic damage (minor paint marks, light scratching) is harder to enforce, but structural and safety issues must be addressed.
Potentially yes — if snagging is significant or safety-related. Once the inverter is switched on and the system is generating, the main installation is complete and you should typically issue payment. However, you can reasonably retain a small amount (e.g., 5–10%) pending completion of documented snagging work. This gives the installer an incentive to return and finish the job. If you have already paid in full, your recourse is more limited — you must use a formal complaint process through the installer's accreditor (MCS, NAPIT, RECC) or seek legal advice. Always check your contract terms before withholding payment.
If your installer has become insolvent or closed, you cannot chase them for snagging work. Your options are: (1) attempt to contact any administrators handling their customer accounts; (2) check your warranty or guarantee documents — defect coverage may be transferable to a new owner or provider; (3) book an independent inspection to formally document all defects; (4) hire a different engineer to complete the snagging work (get several quotes); (5) pursue a complaint with the installer's trade body (MCS, NAPIT, RECC) if they were accredited — you may be eligible for compensation from their guarantee fund. See our installer gone bust guide for detailed next steps.
Need an independent eye on your snagging?
A post-installation snag inspection documents all defects, incomplete work, and compliance issues with clear photos and written evidence. You get a formal report you can use to pressure your installer into action, or to support a complaint if they refuse to help.