What to Know Before You Commit to Solar – Straight Talk from Aus Solar Kits
With door-to-door sales on the rise and solar ads all over your feed, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise. But before you sign anything, make sure you’re getting a system and a company that you can rely on. At Aus Solar Kits, we believe in helping customers make smart, informed choices.
Here are six key principles to keep in mind when planning your solar investment.
1. The Cheapest System Often Ends Up the Most Expensive
When a quote comes in way below the rest, there’s a reason—and it’s usually not a good one. That cheap price tag often excludes design expertise, customer service, proper warranty coverage, and installation quality. It may look like a bargain upfront, but the long-term costs in service calls, part replacements, and poor performance will almost always outweigh the savings.
Online deals often don’t include support, and when something goes wrong, you’re on your own. Local, accredited providers may cost a bit more but the peace of mind and long-term reliability are worth it.
Trap #1: The “Cheap and Cheerful” Package Deal
Tip: Before you sign any contract, consult an experienced project manager like UpScalePM. They specialise in overseeing residential and commercial construction and can help you integrate solar into your build or renovation properly—ensuring it works in harmony with other services, systems, and your long-term property goals.
2. Quality Solar Doesn’t Need Babysitting
A properly designed solar system with good-quality components should run with minimal intervention. It shouldn’t require constant monitoring or regular repairs just a bit of maintenance now and then. The key is getting it right the first time. Make sure your installer offers proper after-sales support, has a long-standing reputation, and is available when you need them. Too many solar companies are short-lived, leaving customers without backup or warranty support when things go south.
Trap #2: Poor Panel Placement and Roof Compatibility
Great solar performance depends on more than just buying high-quality gear. If your panels aren’t installed at the right angle, orientation, or away from shade, you’ll be leaving serious savings on the table.
Worse still, some installations fail to assess roof structure or existing materials before drilling into tiles or sheeting, leading to leaks, damage, or voided warranties.
If your home needs roof prep or structural adjustments, make sure you’re working with qualified trades. Roseville Building Services are trusted experts in complex carpentry and roofing, and can prepare your roof properly for solar, avoiding unnecessary headaches later.
3. Don’t Keep Fixing a Failing System
If your solar system is underperforming or worse, not working at all, it’s usually not worth trying to fix unless it’s a high-quality system to begin with. Cheap or outdated installs often aren’t worth the time and money to troubleshoot.
It’s generally better to start fresh with a system that’s properly designed, backed by warranty, and built to last. That said, systems from reputable designers like ASK may still be worth evaluating just make sure you’re not throwing more good money after bad.
Trap #3: No Integration with Design or Renovation Plans
Too often, homeowners treat solar as an afterthought bolting it on at the end of a build or retrofit. But your solar system should be designed in coordination with your architectural layout, orientation, services, and shading considerations.
Working with your architect or designer early can result in:
If you’re undertaking a retail, hospitality or mixed-use fitout, architects like Fang Architects can help you balance aesthetics, energy efficiency, and practical integration of solar systems within new or existing buildings. It’s especially important when presentation and branding are part of the equation.
4. Flashy Ads Can Hide Flimsy Installs
Low-cost solar can be a trap. While the marketing might look polished, the products and workmanship behind them often fall short. Poor installation work, unreliable components, and vague contracts are all too common in budget offers.
Solar is a major home investment. Make sure the company behind it knows what they’re doing and will still be around when you need support five or ten years down the line.
5. Solar is an Investment, Not an Expense
It’s true solar doesn’t come free. But once it’s installed, it starts paying you back every day the sun is shining. With energy prices rising and the climate under pressure, solar offers a rare win-win: lower bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
When installed right, your solar system will quietly deliver savings for years, giving your household or business a long-term edge.
6. Don’t Let Digital Marketing Do the Thinking for You
It’s not just door-knockers anymore social media is packed with solar deals that sound incredible but don’t always deliver. Many of these offers come with hidden conditions, unclear pricing, or limited support after the install.
A strong online presence is important we’ve built one ourselves but make sure there’s a real, experienced team behind the ad. The right solar company should offer more than just a good website. They should offer answers, support, and a system you can depend on.
The solar industry is full of noise but you don’t have to get lost in it. If you want a system designed to last, with service to match, AUS Solar Kits is here to help you do it right the first time.
DOWNLOAD PDF
