Free Solar Quotes - What's the Catch?

Almost every solar installer in Australia offers a "free solar quote." So what does free actually mean - and what are you agreeing to when you request one?

What a Free Quote Actually Is

A solar quote costs the installer time: typically 30–90 minutes across site assessment, system design, and quote preparation. Installers absorb that cost because the conversion rate from quote to sale justifies it. The quote itself is genuinely free - no payment, no obligation to purchase.

What you're providing in exchange is access to your time and contact details. The commercial logic is straightforward: you're a potential customer, they're competing for your business.

What Happens to Your Information

When you submit a request for a solar quote - through an installer's website, a lead-generation service, or a comparison site - your contact details are captured. What happens next varies significantly depending on who you've contacted.

Direct to an installer: Your details go to that installer only. You'll receive a call or email to arrange a quote. Follow-up frequency varies from a single contact to repeated calls if you don't respond.

Through a comparison or lead-generation service: Your details are typically sold to multiple installers simultaneously. It's common to receive 3–6 calls within 24 hours of submitting a quote request through a lead-gen platform. Most platforms disclose this in their privacy policy, but few people read it before submitting.

What to check before submitting: Does the privacy policy say your details will be shared with third parties? How many installers will receive your information? Is there a way to request quotes without a phone number?

The "Free Quote" vs the Sales Visit

Many installers offer two types of engagement: a desktop quote (based on your address, roof satellite imagery, and usage data - done remotely) or a site assessment quote (a salesperson visits your home).

Desktop quotes are faster and involve no home visit. Site assessment quotes are more accurate, especially for complex roofs - but they also tend to involve a longer sales conversation.

If you want accurate quotes without an in-home sales visit, specify when requesting that you'd prefer a remote or desktop quote first.

How to Get Quotes Without Losing Control of the Process

A few practices that help:

• Use a dedicated email address for quote requests if you want to keep solar sales separate from your main inbox
• Specify your preferred contact method - "email only please, no calls" is a legitimate request that reputable installers will respect
• Know what you want before you request - having a system size in mind (from a free roof check) means you can evaluate the quote without relying on the installer to recommend the right size
• Request written quotes before any in-person meeting - this lets you compare on paper before committing any of your time

What Solar Scout Does Differently

Solar Scout's free solar check works differently from a traditional quote request. You run the check yourself - no sales contact unless you explicitly request it. We model your roof using address-based satellite data, show you our independent assessment of your solar potential, and only connect you with CEC-accredited installers if you ask us to.

There's no obligation to request a quote, and no installer receives your details unless you choose to proceed.

Run your free solar check →