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New install · Snagging inspection

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.
£145 remote; on-site from £295 — written snag report in 48h
Book an inspectionWhat we check
  • Independent — no affiliation with your installer
  • Physical quality, settings, documentation, and finish
  • Written snagging report — your evidence for repairs
  • All brands — GivEnergy, SolarEdge, Growatt, SMA, and more
Book a snag inspection

Independent post-install check · written snag list · ideal before final payment.

Book snag inspection — £145 remote

Send us your MCS pack and a few photos. We'll produce a list of any safety or compliance issues to put to the installer.

5.0
Rated 5.0 on Google Read all 151 reviews

I left an enquiry few days ago and got a call back today from Ron. I have FoxESS battery and inverter that seemed not doing the right job and after only few questions, Ron told me exactly what I need to do to restart my system, without even seeing it. After almost 2 weeks of not being able to use my FoxESS equipment, today is finally up and running. Very professional and knowledgeable. Thanks Ron

Micky Mihaela · Aug 2026 Google

Ron made more sense in 20 mins than our installer has done over the last 12 months There is a jungle out there and you need someone like Ron to give a comprehensive overview and solution

David · May 2026 Trustpilot

Very pleased with solar tech support , they were very informative and helpful , arrived when they said they would and did a great job , I would highly recommend them .

mary shaw · Jul 2026 Google

Very very helpfuland so quick. Made sure that a non expert like myself understood what the problem was and how to resolve it.

Declan S · Jun 2026 Trustpilot

Diligent and reliable service.

Samuel Jakovljevic · Jul 2026 Google

I received a prompt response and excellent technical support for the remote diagnosis (Oxfordshire) and resolution of my GivEnergy EMS configuration. My GivEnergy issue involved a single inverter and battery that had a loss of calibration, a critical low voltage drop. It needed a recovery and re-calibration, and was supported via email into yesterday evening being resolved within 24 hours. Ron demonstrated a very high level of knowledge and experience in the intricacies of a GivEnergy EMS configuration, even surpassing the understanding of GivEnergy itself when it was still operational. I have already recommended their services to a neighbour as I’d be happy to use their services again based on the fair pricing and the quality of their support.

In MINI · Jul 2026 Google

Written by · Independent Solar Engineer Last updated

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

Homeowners with fresh installations — Just had solar installed and want independent verification before you accept it. Creates a quality baseline and gives you evidence if issues emerge later.
Homeowners who've spotted problems — You've noticed the installers left things incomplete, damaged, or misconfigured. You want professional documentation before confronting them or pursuing a complaint.
Home buyers with recently installed solar — You're purchasing a property with solar that was installed less than a year ago. You want independent assessment of installation quality and whether there are snags the previous owner left undocumented.
People pursuing installer complaints — You're about to raise a formal complaint with RECC or a claims company. A written snagging report from an independent engineer strengthens your case significantly.

What we check in your snag inspection

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

FAQ

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.
Yes, for most of what a snagging report is actually about. Workmanship shows up in photographs: cable management and clipping, mounting and fixings, trunking runs, isolator siting, labelling, sealing and weathering, and the general standard of finish. Alongside that we read the commissioning settings through your monitoring platform and go through the handover pack, MCS certificate, DNO paperwork and electrical certificate. What a photograph cannot settle is anything behind a cover, torque on a termination, or a connection nobody has photographed. Where the evidence will not carry a finding, the report says so rather than guessing, and if the remaining questions matter we will tell you the on-site visit is worth the difference.
There are two ways to have it done. A remote snag inspection is £145: you send photos, video and your handover pack, we review the commissioning settings through your monitoring, and the written report follows within 48 hours. An on-site snag inspection is from £295 and adds a physical visit for the things a photograph cannot settle. Either way the report is yours to use as evidence when asking the installer for remedial work, and we are fully independent of them.
An independent solar inspection (£145 remote, from £295 on-site) focuses on system performance, data analysis, battery health, and configuration quality — answering 'Is my system working as designed?' A post-install snag inspection (£145 remote or from £295 on-site) 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. Remote at £145 using your photos and handover pack, or on-site from £295. Written snagging report within 48 hours, yours to use when negotiating repairs with the installer.

  • Independent — no affiliation with your installer
  • Physical quality, commissioning, settings, documentation, and finish
  • Written snagging report — your evidence for repairs

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your diagnostic request. We don't share your data with 3rd parties.

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