Review for Collegiate Builders (CB Solar)

06/18/2016
Anonymous

Prompt, eager, and professional

I waited 1 year to write this review to make sure I generated the amount of electricity I was promised. When I solicited bids for solar panel installation, I got a call the same day from Collegiate Builders, who came out to my house shortly after to get more precise measurements. Because they are also a roofing company, I decided to have my roof replaced at the same time. My old roof was only 20 years old, but they billed it so I could get the 30% Federal Tax credit on my roof as well. The roof looks great, and so do the panels. <br /> One note of caution, when they broke down my costs, which included discounts for contractor incentives and discounts for customer tax incentives, they deducted my 30% Federal tax credit based on the gross price of the install. But when it comes tax time, you are actually permitted to take the 30% federal credit only the actual price you paid, i.e. after contractor incentives. Thus, my actual price for the install was $2200 more than indicated. That's the bad news. The good news is that I generated more electricity than promised, so I am still on track for the 8.5 year payback that I was told. BTW, basing your federal tax credit on the gross project price is not exclusive to Collegiate Builders. A friend of mine interviewed multiple contractors for her solar panels, and she said about two-thirds of them based her federal tax credit on the gross price and the rest on the net price. <br /> If you decide to have Collegiate Builders do your roof at the same time as your panels, make sure you get your car(s) out of the garage first, otherwise they will block you in. That is a relatively minor complaint, but they ought to realize that some people actually do park their cars in their garages. <br /> In the last part of this review, I will slam every other solar installer. As I mentioned, Collegiate builders got back to me immediately and were eager for my business. I had to light a fire under the a** of two other companies just to come out to my house and give me an estimate. Only one did (CIR), after more than two weeks. When we went over his plan, I asked for more panels. He promised a revised estimate the next day. I never heard from him again. I do not know how that kind of customer service makes for a viable business.

Sales process
Price charged as quoted
On schedule
Installation quality
After sales support