Questions solar buyers bring up
- How many signed jobs are waiting to be installed?
- A buyer wants the backlog by job, with contract value, deposits taken and expected install dates.
- What warranties have you promised past customers?
- Workmanship warranties are future work with no new pay. Buyers count them and ask how often you get called back.
- Whose license do your electrical jobs run under?
- If the license holder is you, they want to know who replaces you or how long you will stay.
- Where do your leads come from?
- Referrals, a website, door knocking or a paid lead service each carry a different cost and risk for the next owner.
Backlog and how you get paid
An installer's value starts with signed work. Buyers want a list of contracts not yet installed, how much each customer has paid down, and when the rest comes in.
They also look at how customers pay. Cash buyers, bank loans and third party solar financing each pay you on a different schedule.
If you rely on a finance partner, check whether that dealer agreement can move to a new owner or needs a fresh approval.
Warranties are a liability on the books
Every roof you put panels on carries a promise. Buyers will ask what you promised in writing, how many service calls you run each month and what they cost.
Keep a log of warranty calls and repairs. A low callback rate is a selling point. A pile of roof leak claims is the opposite, and in an asset sale the buyer will want to agree up front who covers repairs on work done before closing.
Licenses, crews and the owner's role
Electrical work needs a licensed electrician, and that license belongs to a person. Buyers ask who holds it and whether that person stays. The attorney can tell you how licensing and permits carry over in your situation.
Your crews matter as much as your license. Show who leads each crew, how long they have been with you, and whether a lead can handle a site survey and a city inspection alone. Bilingual crew leads who can talk to any homeowner help.
Lead flow and the sales team
Many installers grew on the owner's name and a few good salespeople. Buyers want to see where leads come from and what each sale costs you to win.
- Monthly leads, appointments and signed jobs for three years
- Cost per signed job by source
- Commission plans for sales staff
- Commercial jobs for warehouses and offices, if you do them
A mix of homes and commercial roofs across El Paso and southern New Mexico reads steadier than one neighborhood or one channel.
Rules and incentives change
Solar demand moves with tax credits and utility rules. Buyers know this and look at how your sales held up the last time incentives shifted. Steady numbers through a change tell them the company is not a one time wave.
Ask your CPA how any incentive change affects your own numbers.
Name and brand
If you sell under a trade name, the buyer will want to keep it. Our guide on assumed name filings after a sale covers who files what.
For pricing, read how buyers price a business, and see the timeline for how long a sale usually runs.
Thinking about selling? Request a valuation or call (915) 555-0193.