No Real Roof Assessment Before Installing

Solar panels are designed to last 25 years or more. Many asphalt shingle roofs don’t have that much life left when the panels go on. If the roof wears out first, the whole array has to come off, the roof gets replaced, and the panels get reinstalled. That’s a real cost, and a quote that skips the roof assessment is quietly leaving it out.

Why it gets skipped

Remote design tools let installers build a proposal from satellite images in minutes. That’s fine for a first estimate. But a satellite photo can’t show soft decking, lifted shingles, or rafters that can’t take extra weight. A proper site visit takes time, and some sales teams would rather get the contract signed first and deal with the roof later, often as a change order or a cancellation.

A worked example

Say your asphalt shingle roof is 15 years old and likely has about 8 more years. You install solar today.

• Year 8: the roof needs replacing. A typical asphalt shingle re-roof runs roughly $8,000 to $16,000 according to industry cost guides, and that’s the same whether or not you have solar.
• The extra cost: someone has to remove the panels, store them, and reinstall them. That labor is the cost of bad timing. Prices vary widely, so ask your installer for a written quote now.
• Hidden risks: if your original installer has gone out of business by year 8, you’ll need a different company willing to work on another installer’s system. Some won’t, and disturbing the array can complicate the remaining warranties.

Compare that to replacing the roof first: you pay for the roof now instead of later, but you avoid paying for the panels to come off and go back on, and you start with a roof that should last as long as the system. Our roof replacement timing tool lets you compare both paths with your numbers.

Watch out: “Panels protect the part of the roof they cover” may be partly true, but the exposed sections, flashing and penetrations still age.

How it shows up in a quote or contract

• No mention of the roof at all. The proposal has panel layouts but no roof age, material, or condition.
• A “subject to site survey” clause. The price can change, or the deal can be canceled, after a later inspection. That’s reasonable if it happens before you’re locked in, and a problem if it becomes a surprise change order.
• Roof work excluded. Fine print says the installer isn’t responsible for existing roof conditions, which can make leak claims harder later.
• No structural review. Older homes may need an engineer’s letter before permitting.

Questions to ask

• “Will someone inspect the roof and attic in person before I’m committed?”
• “What roof age and condition do you consider acceptable for this install?”
• “What do you charge to remove and reinstall this system for a future re-roof? Will you put that in writing?”
• “Does your workmanship warranty cover leaks at the panel mounts? For how many years?”
• “If you find roof or structural problems after I sign, can I cancel without penalty?”

What to do

Get an independent roofer, not one the solar company sends, to estimate your roof’s remaining life. If it’s near the end, price a replacement first. Some installers also do roofing; get a separate roofing quote to compare. Read our guide on whether to replace your roof before solar and solar weather durability and insurance. Check the mounting hardware in our racking guide.

If an installer damaged your roof or refuses to honor a leak warranty, file a complaint with your state contractor licensing board and your state attorney general.