The short answer: only use an installer that is MCS certified and a member of RECC or HIES, never pay in full upfront, and walk away from anyone who pressures you to sign on the day.
Five checks before you sign
- Look them up on the MCS register. Do not rely on a logo on a van or website.
- Confirm RECC or HIES membership. MCS installers must belong to one of these consumer codes. They provide deposit protection, an insurance-backed guarantee and independent dispute resolution.
- Check the company's history. Look at how long it has traded and ask to see recent local installations.
- Get the quote in writing, with named equipment, a roof layout and a generation estimate.
- Check the deposit. RECC limits its members to a deposit of no more than 25% of the contract price. Paying it by credit card adds protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
TrustMark registration and Which? Trusted Trader status are useful extra reassurance.
Red flags
- Cold calls and doorstep selling. Reputable installers rarely need to knock on doors.
- "Free solar panels" or "government grant" claims when you have not been assessed. Free panels exist only for specific lower-income households. See who qualifies.
- A discount that ends today. A fair price will still be there next week.
- A price without a survey. Nobody can quote accurately without seeing your roof.
- Savings figures with no working shown. Ask what export rate and usage they have assumed.
- Full payment upfront, or cash only.
- A very new company with no installations you can verify.
- Vague equipment. "Tier 1 panels" is not a model name.
Questions to ask
- Who will carry out the work, and are they employed by you?
- What happens to my guarantee if your company stops trading?
- What generation figure are you estimating, and how was shading assessed?
- Which network operator paperwork will you handle?
- What is the payment schedule?
If something goes wrong
- Complain to the installer in writing.
- Use the dispute resolution service of their consumer code, RECC or HIES.
- Contact your card provider if you paid by credit card.
- Report rogue traders to Citizens Advice, which passes cases to Trading Standards.
How we choose the installers we work with
We only pass your enquiry to qualified installers, and we only ask for the minimum information they need to quote. Read how we make money.
Sources
Correct at the time of publication, 12 November 2026.
- RECC, consumer journey and deposit limits: https://www.recc.org.uk/consumers/customer-journey/
- Energy Saving Trust, consumer protection: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/consumer-protection
- MCS: https://mcscertified.com/