[RE-wrenches] Combating requests for itemized PV pricing

[toddcory at finestplanet.com]

jason and others - i also get these folks, but my reputation is stellar and i am (thankfully) in such high demand that i can still turn down work, which allows me to keep my bull-shit-detector fully activated and be very selective with who i will work for.
 
that being said... we have a diy company here (wholesale solar) in mount shasta. i get calls from people who bought materials from them, wanting me to install someone else's design and materials. i am VERY clear with folks i do not touch materials i do not sell or install designs i do not do... and the reason, which is because of quality and warranty issues.
 
for example, a couple of jobs ago i ended up with a defective out-of-the-box fm80. part of what paid for me to troubleshoot, contact outback and replace it (twice) was my profit margin (although if necessary, i will lose money on a job to make it right for the customer). i mention things like this to the customer and usually the light goes on as they 'get' the value of my design and free troubleshooting /service/ training for a year (and often longer) after the system has been installed.
 
i absolutely refuse to do jobs for people wanting "solar on their house" without any consideration of wasteful behavior or the need for efficiency upgrades first. ethically, i have a hard time with these kinds of jobs... and now that the prostitution of the solar industry is nearly 100% complete, i let the "new expert$$$" have those customers. 
 
yes, i make less income putting in smaller systems for conscious people, but i feel good about the work i do, sleep well at night... and i believe i have far fewer hassles since i let the problem customers (whose only consideration is the bottom line cost) go elsewhere.
 
my .02
 
todd
 
 
 
 
 
 
On Saturday, August 18, 2012 9:18am, "Jason Szumlanski" <jason at fafcosolar.com> said:



We are getting more and more people calling that want to provide their own equipment and have us install it. It's frustrating, because usually they are looking at prices for materials that either I would not consider selling, or would not meet the mounting requirements of the Florida Building Code. Of course, they do not understand and consider all of the other costs.
In addition, lots of people are looking for a breakdown of prices (down to the line item - nuts and bolts). I generally refuse to provide it because it inevitably leads to the response "I can get that module/inverter online cheaper." The "I need to make money" response leads to "yeah, but you must be getting better prices than I see online" argument. And so on, and so on... I'm sure you've heard it...
I've resorted recently to just providing a percentage breakdown, stating that the price is roughly 25% each:

PV Modules
Inverters and Electrical
Mounting System
Design/Engineering, Permitting, Labor, Overhead, and ProfitAny other tips out there to answer the request for line item details?
Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar


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