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Free Tool — 23 Questions

Battery Installer
Vetting Checklist

Use this before signing anything. Tick each item as your installer answers. Any evasion or "we'll sort it later" is a red flag. Our pre-vetted installers pass every item on this list.

0 / 23 checked
1
Credentials & Accreditation
Are you CEC-accredited? Can you show your CEC accreditation number?
Only CEC-accredited installers can apply the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate. Non-accredited = no rebate.
🚩 Red flag: Can't provide a CEC number or redirects to "the company is accredited" (the installer must be personally accredited)
Do you hold a valid Electrical Contractor Licence in this state?
Required for all electrical work in Australia. Ask to see the licence number.
Do you carry public liability insurance of at least $5M?
Protects you if anything goes wrong during or after installation.
🚩 Red flag: "Yes" without being able to provide a certificate of currency
Is the installing technician the same CEC-accredited person, or a subcontractor?
The CEC-accredited installer must be on-site and responsible for the work — not a non-accredited subcontractor.
2
Pricing & Rebate
Is this a fully-installed, all-inclusive price — including inverter, cabling, metering and grid connection?
Some quotes strip out electrical work and grid connection — the final bill balloons by $1,000–$3,000.
Is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate already deducted in this quote?
The rebate should be applied at point-of-sale — you should never have to claim it yourself.
🚩 Red flag: "You'll receive a rebate after installation" — the discount is applied upfront by the installer
What state-level incentives am I eligible for, and are they reflected in this quote?
Victorian, SA and QLD households may qualify for additional rebates. A good installer should know all of them.
Are there any additional costs that could arise after signing?
Legitimate installers will flag switchboard upgrades, roof penetration complexity and similar upfront.
3
Equipment & System Design
What brand and model of battery are you recommending and why?
The brand should match your usage and budget — not be determined by what the installer has in stock.
Have you reviewed my last 12 months of electricity bills to size the system correctly?
Undersized batteries waste money; oversized ones take too long to pay back.
🚩 Red flag: Quoting a system size without reviewing your usage data
What is the usable capacity vs the total capacity of the battery?
Some brands quote total capacity; usable capacity is always lower. A 13.5kWh battery may only deliver 12.5kWh.
Will the battery provide backup power during a grid outage?
Not all batteries include backup functionality by default — some require an additional gateway or switchboard work.
Is this battery AS/NZS 5139 compliant?
Required for all battery installations in Australia. Non-compliant systems may not pass an inspection.
4
Warranty & After-Sales
What is the product warranty and who handles warranty claims — you or the manufacturer?
Some installers are just resellers with no skin in warranty support. You want an installer who stands behind the product.
What is the installation workmanship warranty?
Separate from the product warranty — covers defects in the installer's work. Should be at least 2 years (5 years is better).
What happens if your business closes — is there a manufacturer warranty I can claim directly?
Many solar/battery companies go out of business. Confirm you can claim the manufacturer warranty independently.
What is the battery's performance warranty (capacity degradation)?
Most batteries guarantee 60–70% capacity after 10 years. Anything below 60% is below market standard.
Will you install a monitoring app and show me how to use it?
You should be able to see real-time charge, discharge and savings data — not just receive a bill at the end of the month.
5
Contract & Process
Can I get this quote in writing with full itemisation before I sign?
Never sign a contract based on a verbal quote. Every item should be written and itemised.
🚩 Red flag: "We need a deposit to lock in the price before we can produce a detailed quote"
What is the installation timeline and what could delay it?
Grid connection applications can take 2–6 weeks. Understanding the timeline sets realistic expectations.
Who applies for network connection approval with my distributor?
The installer should handle network approval — it's their job, not yours.
Can I speak to two or three recent customers in my area?
Reputable installers readily provide references. Refusal or inability to provide any is a warning sign.

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Every installer in the ReclaimPower network passes all 23 items on this checklist before we match a single homeowner to them.

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