Going solar isn't just about slapping panels on your roof and calling it a day. It's a serious home upgrade that'll be with you for the next 25+ years—potentially longer than your car, appliances, or mortgage. If done right, solar energy can slash your hydro bills and boost your property value. When done wrong? Well, that's where things get messy.

The market's flooded these days. When you first contact for solar installation in Ontario, you're suddenly bombarded with options ranging from big national chains to your neighbour's cousin who "does solar on weekends." This wild-west situation leaves many homeowners wondering: How on earth do I choose someone I can trust with my roof and tens of thousands of dollars?

The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners

Let's get honest about what happens when installations go sideways:

• Have you ever seen what happens to drywall after water has been seeping through for six months? Roof leaks from poorly sealed mounting brackets are more common than the industry likes to admit.

• Some homeowners discover their systems are generating 20% less electricity than promised, but by the time they figure it out, the installer's warranty support has mysteriously vanished.

• One Ottawa family I heard about spent $28,000 on a system that sat uselessly on their roof for 11 months because their installer bungled the Hydro One paperwork. Meanwhile, they were still paying their loan and entire electricity bill.

The worst part? These headaches typically surface long after the final payment clears.

The Non-Negotiable Checklist

Before you even think about signing anything, demand proof of the following:

• WSIB clearance (workers falling off roofs is nobody's idea of a good time)

• At least $2M in liability coverage (because accidents happen, and your home insurance might not cover contractor mistakes)

• ESA electrical licensing (unless you fancy turning your attic into a fire hazard)

• Experience with your specific utility—Hydro One plays by different rules than Toronto Hydro or Alectra

True story: A family in Barrie assumed their installer would handle the building permit. They didn't. Three years later, they tried to sell their home and discovered they couldn't close the deal until they retroactively permitted the installation—at triple the original permit cost.

Separating the Pros from the Pretenders

During consultation calls, throw these curveballs:

"So what happens when it snows?" (Vague answers here are a massive red flag—Ontario isn't California)

"How exactly will you determine if my electrical panel needs upgrading?" (If they don't mention load calculations or ESA requirements, run)

"What's your approach to roof penetrations on my specific roof type?" (Different roofing materials require different mounting strategies)

"Can I speak with someone whose system has been through at least two winters?" (New companies won't have this track record)

Listen carefully. If you hear lots of smooth sales talk but technical questions get deflected, you're probably talking to a sales rep, not an installer.

When Cheaper Isn't Cheaper

Be suspicious of quotes significantly below others. In the current Ontario market:

• Budget installations: $2.30-2.60/watt (often using economy panels and bare-bones service)

• Mid-range quality: $2.70-3.20/watt (better equipment, proper waterproofing, thorough electrical work)

• Premium installations: $3.30-3.80/watt (top-tier panels, advanced monitoring, structural engineering included)

That $2,000 you "save" upfront might cost you $15,000 in repairs and lost production over the system's lifetime.

The Ontario-Specific Challenges

Our climate throws unique curveballs at solar installations:

• That beautiful blanket of January snow becomes a system-crushing 40-50 kg/m² load on your panels

• Spring's freeze-thaw cycles can gradually push mounting hardware up and out of position

• Summer heat waves can cook inverters that aren't adequately ventilated

• Microbursts and ice storms test every connection and attachment point

A company that just moved up from Florida or expanded from Alberta won't have the local knowledge to address these adequately.

After the Honeymoon Period

Once the last truck leaves your driveway, you'll quickly learn what kind of company you've partnered with. The good ones:

• Please set up your monitoring app before they leave, and make sure you understand what you're looking at

• Call you after your first electricity bill to make sure everything's tracking correctly

• Schedule a 6-month checkup to verify all connections are still tight after thermal expansion/contraction

• Don't mysteriously stop answering the phone once you've paid

One telling question: "If I call with an issue in August (peak installation season), how long before someone comes out?" The honest answer isn't always pretty, but it's better than empty promises.

Making the Call

After the quotes roll in, look beyond the dollars:

• Who explained things in a way that made sense?

• Who asked the most questions about your specific home and needs?

• Whose paperwork was the most detailed and professional?

• Who has the most experience with your particular roof type and local utility?

Remember—the panels are just products. The installation quality and the company backing it will ultimately determine whether your solar investment shines or becomes something you regret every time it rains.

Choose carefully. Your future self will thank you when your system still performs flawlessly during those 2047 summer brownouts everyone else is suffering through.