Prepare for a solar survey

Why preparation helps

A little preparation helps an installer produce a design based on your home and your priorities, not on generic assumptions. It also helps you, because better information means a more useful quote. A useful quote is easier to judge.

The survey is a chance to check the details that a screen cannot see. If you have not yet done a first screen, try our solar suitability check first. It shows which questions to raise on the day.

This guide covers what to gather, what to decide and what to look at. You do not need to be an expert, although you do need to bring honest information. Ask for clear answers in return.

Bring energy context

Your energy use is the most useful input, because it shows how much of the panels’ power you can use at home. Gather the following before the visit.

• Recent bills. A full year is best, because use changes with the seasons.
• Your tariff. Note the unit rate, the standing charge and any time-of-use rates.
• Smart meter data. If you can get half-hourly readings, bring them. They show when you use power.
• Planned changes. Note an electric car, a heat pump, a home office or a new baby.
• Daily pattern. Note when the house is busy and when it is empty.

For context, Ofgem’s typical use figure for a medium household is 2,500 kWh a year from 1 July 2026. From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the price cap averages 26.32p per kWh. The standing charge averages 54.83p a day. Your own tariff may differ, so use your bills, not these averages.

Why does the pattern matter? Solar makes most of its power in the middle of the day. If you are out then, you will export more and use less.

However, export rates vary by supplier, since the Smart Export Guarantee lets suppliers set their own terms. Our guide on how many solar panels you need explains how use and system size fit together.

State your priorities

A system cannot do everything equally well. Decide what matters most, and tell the installer. Rank these goals in order.

1. Lower bills.
2. Lower carbon.
3. Backup power during an outage.
4. Readiness for an electric car or heat pump.
5. A fixed budget.
6. Appearance, such as panel colour and layout.

For example, if you want the lowest bill, a design may favour daytime use. Backup power needs a battery, which adds cost. If looks matter most, you may accept fewer panels on the front of the house.

Be honest about budget and timing as well. Some installers will quote only what you ask for, while others will suggest extras. Knowing your limits helps you tell a useful option from an upsell.

Walk through the constraints

Most surprises come from the same few places, so walk the surveyor through each one. Our guide on solar panels in winter explains why low-sun shading deserves extra attention.

Roof. Note the age and condition of the covering. Tell the surveyor about leaks, loose tiles or recent repairs. They need to know whether the roof can carry panels, and how long it will last.

Loft. Check access, space and structure. MIS 3002 expects a competent person to check the roof structure for the extra load. The surveyor may need to see rafters and any signs of damp.

Shading. Point out trees, chimneys, neighbouring buildings and any plans to build. Mention how the shade moves through the day and through the year.

Fuse board and meter. Show where they are, and how much space is around them. The installer needs room for new equipment and a safe cable route.

Equipment positions. Agree where the inverter and any battery will go. Think about noise, heat, access and distance from the fuse board.

Access. Note any narrow paths, parking limits or shared walls. Scaffolding needs space.

Permissions. Mention if you rent, live in a leasehold flat, or are in a conservation area or listed building. Planning rules in England changed in August 2026, so ask what applies to your home. Our planning notes in the suitability guide give the outline.

Photos and documents to gather

Photos save time, because they let you answer follow-up questions quickly. Take them before the visit.

• The front, back and sides of the house, showing every roof face.
• The roof from the ground, including chimneys, vents and dormers.
• The inside of the loft, if it is safe to enter.
• The fuse board, with the cover open if you can do so safely.
• The meter and the area around it.
• Any existing wiring, such as an electric car charger.

Gather paperwork too, since the installer may ask for it. This may include your Energy Performance Certificate, any roof warranty, planning papers, lease terms and building insurance details. Tell your insurer about the plan, since some policies need updating.

What a good survey looks like

A good survey takes time, because the surveyor should look at the roof, the loft and the fuse board. They should measure rather than guess. They should ask about your use and your plans.

You should end up with a clear idea of the proposed system. Ask the surveyor to explain the layout and flag any risks.

Also ask how the installer will tell your network operator. Under MIS 3002 the installer must follow the G98 or G99 procedure. For G98, the notice goes in within 28 days of commissioning.

Be careful if someone gives a price without looking at the roof. Likewise, be wary of anyone who rushes the visit. Still, a short visit is not always a poor one, so judge by the answers. Our questions to ask a solar installer guide gives you a list to take along.

After the survey

Ask for a written design and quote. It should include the equipment models, the layout, the generation estimate and its assumptions, the scope and the payment plan. Check that it matches what you discussed.

Then compare more than one quote. Differences in scope often explain differences in price, so look at the detail. A fair installer will give you room to think.

When you are ready, you can request quotes through our enquiry form. Nobody is contacted until you send an enquiry. Your notes from this guide will help with any follow-up.