Tired of waiting on solar and generator contractors?

Yes. Put it in the written contract before you sign: the contractor must provide a performance bond, a payment bond, or both, with you named as the party protected, for an amount you set (often the full contract price). The contractor applies with the signed contract and pays the premium, usually 3 to 5 percent of the bond amount. If the work is abandoned or subcontractors and suppliers go unpaid, you make a written claim on the bond. Most sureties want a contract of at least $10,000, which nearly every solar or battery job clears. Read about the homeowner protection bond

The standard evaluation is $349. A licensed contractor comes out, looks at your electric panel, roof, yard and big loads, reviews your usage, and gives you a written quote for a system. If you buy that system from the same contractor, the $349 is credited toward the price.

Free quotes are fine when you can get one. Around here many homeowners call three or four companies and wait weeks for anyone to show up. A paid evaluation gets a contractor on your calendar, and the fee comes back to you if you hire them. Contractors on HomeBackupPros can also offer a free visit or an estimate instead, and you choose.

Yes. Posting your usage and goals and comparing responses costs nothing. You only pay if you book a paid evaluation or hire a contractor, and you pay the contractor directly.

Look on your electric bill for kWh used or energy used. Most bills from Duke, the co-ops and town systems include a bar chart of the last 12 months. Your online account usually has a download too. Enter any months you have. Even one or two helps.

Not by itself. Grid-tied panels shut off when the grid goes down so line crews stay safe. To keep a well pump, fridge or furnace running you need a battery, a generator, or both. Tell us what has to stay on and for how long, and contractors will size for it.

Every contractor is reviewed and approved by our team before they can respond, and we check their NC electrical contractor license number. They are independent businesses, not employees of HomeBackupPros. Ask any contractor for proof of insurance before work starts.

No. A listing means the contractor passed our review and license check, nothing more. Responses are sorted by real customer ratings when a contractor has them, and some listings may be sponsored. You decide who to hire.

Your name, phone and email go only to the contractor you choose. You can also choose to share your street address with the contractors who respond so they can look at your roof from satellite photos before pricing. That is up to you.