Post-install snag inspection Independent quality check after the installer leaves
An independent on-site inspection booked AFTER your solar installation is complete and the installer has left. We check everything they should have done — physical quality, commissioning, settings, documentation, and cosmetic finish. Written snagging report identifies what's wrong, what needs fixing, and what needs pushing to get resolved.
Up to 16 panels — on-site inspection, written snagging report within 48 hours
Book snag inspection →More than 16 panels, commercial, or complex battery setups — quoted on enquiry
Request a quote →What's covered
Physical Installation Quality
Panel mounting alignment, roof tile impact, cable routing and clip condition, trunking UV rating, MC4 connector seating, roof penetration seals, inverter and battery mounting, ventilation clearance, weatherproofing, labour workmanship.
Commissioning Completeness
Is the system actually generating as expected? Battery charging from solar? CT clamps facing the correct direction? Export limit set correctly? EPS (backup) working if specified? Performance-critical settings verified.
Settings & Configuration
Export limit matches DNO approval. Charge and discharge schedules configured for customer's tariff. Battery reserves and depth of discharge settings. Firmware current. Monitoring on customer's own account (not installer's). Labelling and signage complete.
Documentation Check
MCS certificate status. G98/G99 notification. Electrical installation certificate. Warranty registration. Monitoring credentials. Safety labelling. User manual provided. Maintenance schedule included.
Cosmetic Finish
Cable tidiness and clipping. Roof tile alignment where panels mounted. Inverter and battery casing damage. Trunking condition and UV protection. Labelling accuracy and legibility. Paint or mounting frame issues.
Safety & Compliance
Electrical connections and earthing. DC and AC isolator operation. Consumer unit labelling and MCB protection. Cable gland sealing. Water ingress risk. BS 7671 compliance. MCS and manufacturer requirements.
Who books this
What we check in your snag inspection
Physical installation quality and damage
Panel mounting inspected for alignment, clipping, and secure fixing. Roof tiles assessed for damage or misalignment caused by installation. Cable clips and trunking evaluated for UV rating and durability. MC4 connectors checked for proper seating. Inverter and battery mounting verified for stability and ventilation clearance. Roof penetration seals checked for water ingress risk. Overall workmanship assessed against installation standards.
Cable routing and tidiness
DC cables inspected for proper trunking and UV protection. Cable clips verified as outdoor-rated and properly spaced. Routing assessed for risk of chafing, water traps, or animal damage. Internal cable runs checked for correct placement and secure fixings. AC cabling from inverter to consumer unit assessed for proper gland sealing and safe routing. Cable tidiness evaluated — sloppy routing reflects poor quality and creates maintenance headaches.
Electrical safety and connections
DC and AC isolators tested for correct operation and verified as clearly labelled. Consumer unit connection checked — correct MCB rating, RCD protection, and solar circuit clearly labelled. Earth bond continuity verified. Cable glands inspected for water-tight sealing. All accessible terminations checked for secure tightness. Installation verified as compliant with BS 7671 electrical safety standards for solar PV systems.
Commissioning and performance verification
System generating at expected level for panel array size, orientation, and weather conditions. Battery confirmed charging from solar, not relying on grid import. CT clamps checked for correct orientation — reversed clamps are a common error. Export limit setting verified against the DNO agreement. If EPS (backup power) was specified, switchover functionality tested. Charge and discharge schedules verified as active and appropriate for customer's tariff.
Settings, configuration, and monitoring
Charge and discharge schedules verified as configured for customer's tariff, not left on factory defaults. Battery reserve and depth of discharge settings checked. Firmware version current. Monitoring portal confirmed active and linked to customer's own account — not installer's company account. Monitoring credentials verified as handed over. API integrations (if any) checked for proper setup.
Documentation and labelling
MCS certificate checked for issuance or in-progress status. G98 notification or G99 approval verified. Electrical installation certificate (BS 7671) obtained. Product warranties confirmed registered. Monitoring account credentials handed over to customer. All safety labels in place — DC array label, AC isolator label, emergency procedure label. User manual and maintenance guidance provided. Commissioning checklist completed and signed off.
Cosmetic quality and finish
Cable clips assessed for consistency and correct spacing. Trunking assessed for colour match and no cracks or UV degradation. Roof tile alignment checked where panels mounted. Inverter and battery casing inspected for dents, scratches, or damage. Paint or mounting frame finish assessed for rust, corrosion, or poor preparation. Labels checked for accuracy and readability. Overall aesthetic quality evaluated — good installations look good.
Common snags we find in post-installation inspections
These are real problems discovered during post-installation snagging inspections. Most could have been caught before the installer left, but having documented evidence gives you backing to get them fixed.
Damaged roof tiles
Tiles cracked, misaligned, or broken during panel installation. Installers sometimes leave this damage unaddressed. Needs fixing to prevent water ingress. Safety and cosmetic issue.
Cable clips missing or substandard
DC cables left partially unsupported or clipped with non-UV-rated clips that will degrade. Creates safety risk and poor workmanship appearance.
Trunking UV degradation
Plastic trunking not UV-rated for outdoor installation, or incorrect type used. Will crack and fail within a year or two, exposing cables to weather.
Poor cable routing
Cables routed where they can chafe on roof tiles, guttering, or sharp edges. Potential water traps where cables run. Sloppy overall workmanship.
Roof penetrations leaking or poorly sealed
Holes drilled for conduit entry left unsealed or sealed with incorrect sealant. Creates water ingress risk — expensive to repair later.
Inverter or battery mounting issues
Units mounted in damp locations, inadequate ventilation clearance, or insecure fixings. Long-term reliability and warranty compliance issue.
Panel mounting misalignment
Panels not mounted at same angle or alignment inconsistent. Looks poor and may indicate quality concerns in electrical connections too.
Missing or incorrect safety labelling
DC array labels, AC isolator labels, or emergency procedure labels not installed. Non-compliance with safety regulations.
Monitoring on installer's account
Monitoring portal set up under installer's company account instead of customer's. Customer has no access to their generation data and loses access if installer goes under.
Charge schedules left on factory defaults
Battery charge and discharge windows not configured for customer's actual tariff. System doesn't optimize for time-of-use rates, costing significant savings.
Export limit misconfigured
Set to 0 kW or wrong value — system doesn't export surplus generation to grid, preventing SEG payments.
Documentation incomplete
MCS certificate not issued, G98/G99 not filed, electrical certificate missing, warranties not registered. Creates problems months later.
Frequently asked questions
Book as soon as the installation is complete and you have access to the system — ideally within the first week or two. The sooner you catch issues, the sooner you can contact the installer while they're still in their warranty grace period. Early snagging reports strengthen your position for remedial work. That said, if you've already waited months or even years, a snagging inspection still works — we document what's wrong now and you can use that for warranty claims or dispute resolution.
No. A snagging inspection does not affect your warranty coverage. We don't make any repairs or changes to the system — we inspect, report, and document what we find. Your warranty is between you and the installer, independent of any third-party inspection. In fact, having a written snagging report often strengthens your warranty position because it provides professional documentation of what was wrong when discovered, which supports your claim for remedial work.
Safety-critical findings are flagged prominently in the report and you're notified immediately. If we identify issues that could be dangerous — improperly earthed components, water ingress creating electrical risk, missing safety labelling, or electrical certification gaps — these are clearly documented with recommended remediation. The report is yours to use with the installer, your insurer, or a local authority if needed. We focus on identifying and documenting what's wrong so you can take appropriate action; we don't make emergency calls unless you ask us to.
Yes. A written, professional snagging report from an independent engineer is powerful evidence that the installer's work is below standard. You can send the report to the installer and request remedial work — most installers will respond because the evidence is from an independent third party, not just your word. If they refuse, the documented report is valuable for formal complaints to RECC, claims companies, or legal action. That's often why homeowners book this service — they've noticed something wrong but want professional documentation before confronting the installer.
An independent solar inspection (£145–£295) focuses on system performance, data analysis, battery health, and configuration quality — answering 'Is my system working as designed?' A post-install snag inspection (from £195) focuses on installation quality, workmanship, physical condition, and finish — answering 'Was my system installed properly?' They address different questions. You might book both if you suspect both performance problems and quality issues.
Yes — all major UK solar and battery brands including GivEnergy, Sunsynk, SolarEdge, Growatt, Solis, Fox ESS, Huawei, SMA, Fronius, Enphase, and Tesla Powerwall. The snagging inspection scope is the same for all brands — we check physical installation quality, electrical safety, commissioning completeness, cosmetic finish, and workmanship standards regardless of which equipment was installed.
Find snags before they become problems
An independent post-installation inspection documents what was installed incorrectly or left unfinished. From £195, written snagging report delivered within 48 hours. Use the report to negotiate repairs with the installer.