FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an independent renewable energy survey?
An independent renewable energy survey is a site assessment carried out separately from the company that will install your system.
We assess your property and the proposed installation, looking at factors such as equipment locations, cable routes, access, existing infrastructure, measurements, photographs and visible site constraints. You then receive a professional survey report that you can provide to your chosen installer.
Why should I get an independent renewable energy survey?
An independent survey gives you the freedom to choose your installer — rather than having the survey tied to the company installing your system.
Every property is different, and different installers may recommend different equipment, locations and installation solutions. An independent survey gives you a clear assessment of your property before you commit to an installer.
You can use your survey to approach multiple installers, compare their proposals and prices, and choose the installer that is right for you.
In simple terms:
Survey first. Choose your installer second.
You know what your property can accommodate before committing to an installation.
Why not just use the installer's free survey?
Many installers offer a survey as part of their installation service. An independent survey gives you another option.
Instead of obtaining a survey from a company that is also trying to sell you an installation, you can obtain your site information and proposed arrangement independently and then provide the report to the installer you choose.
This can make it easier to compare different installation proposals on a more informed basis.
What types of renewable energy surveys do you provide?
We currently provide residential surveys for:
• EV charging
• Solar PV
• Battery storage
• EV + Solar PV
• EV + Battery Storage
• Solar PV + Battery Storage
• EV + Solar PV + Battery Storage
Each service has its own scope, which is explained before you book.
Do you install EV chargers, solar panels or batteries?
No. First Rate Surveys is an independent surveying business.
We do not sell, supply or install the renewable energy equipment as part of our residential survey service.
Our role is to survey the property and provide the site information and proposed arrangement that can be taken to your chosen installer.
Can I use my survey with any installer?
Yes. Your survey report is provided for you to use when discussing your project with your chosen installer.
You are free to approach the installer or installers you want and provide them with the survey information.
The installer will then carry out their own final technical assessment and confirm the equipment, design and installation requirements.
Can I use the survey to compare installers and prices?
Yes. One of the benefits of an independent survey is that you can provide the same site information to different installers when requesting proposals.
This can help you compare what different installers are proposing and the prices they are offering.
The final installation proposal, equipment selection and installation price remain the responsibility of each installer.
What happens during the survey?
We visit your property and assess the proposed installation.
Depending on the service booked, we may look at:
• The property and proposed installation areas
• Potential equipment locations
• Potential cable routes
• Access and site conditions
• Existing accessible infrastructure
• Relevant measurements
• Photographs
• Visible constraints
• The proposed installation arrangement
The information collected is then used to prepare your survey report.
Do I need to know which equipment I want before booking?
No. You do not need to have everything decided before the survey.
During the booking process you can provide any preferences or requirements you already have. The survey is designed to assess the property and proposed installation so that you have useful site information before progressing with your chosen installer.
Your installer will confirm the final equipment selection and technical requirements.
What will I receive after the survey?
You will receive a professional survey report containing the relevant site information, measurements, photographs, observations and proposed arrangement identified during the survey.
You can then provide the report to your chosen installer when discussing the installation.
How long does a survey take?
Our standard residential EV Charging Survey is scheduled for a two-hour appointment.
The time required can vary depending on the property, access and the service being carried out. Your appointment type will show the scheduled duration when you book.
Can I book and pay online?
Yes. Residential surveys can be booked online through our website.
You can choose the survey you require, select an available appointment and make payment during the booking process.
Do I need to be at home for the survey?
Someone who can provide access to the property and relevant areas should be available during the survey.
You will be asked during booking who will be available at the property.
If there are specific access arrangements, parking restrictions, pets, gates or building works that we should know about, please provide that information before the appointment.
What if my property has restricted access?
Please tell us about any access restrictions when booking or before your appointment.
If an area required for the survey cannot be accessed, this may limit what we can assess and may be recorded as a limitation in the survey report.
Does the survey guarantee that I can install the system?
No. The survey provides an assessment of the property and a proposed arrangement based on the conditions that can be observed and assessed at the time of the appointment.
Your chosen installer remains responsible for confirming the final technical requirements, equipment suitability, electrical and structural requirements, DNO requirements, planning or Building Regulations requirements and the final installation.
Does the survey include electrical testing or certification?
No. Unless specifically stated otherwise, our residential survey is not an electrical installation, electrical test, electrical certification, structural certification, EPC or DNO approval.
The survey is intended to provide site information and a proposed arrangement for you and your chosen installer.
Why doesn't First Rate Surveys recommend an installer?
Our independence is central to the service.
We want you to be able to use your survey with the installer of your choice rather than being tied to a particular installation company.
You can therefore use the information from your survey when speaking to one installer or comparing several.
What if I change my mind after booking?
Please refer to our Cancellation & Refund Policy and Customer Terms & Conditions.
Where applicable, statutory cancellation rights will apply. If you request that the survey begins before the end of an applicable statutory cancellation period, the legal rules relating to early performance of services will apply.
Once a survey service has been fully performed, we do not provide refunds simply because a customer changes their mind or is dissatisfied with the proposed installation outcome, subject to any statutory rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded.
Can I reschedule my survey?
Yes. You can request to reschedule your appointment using the booking arrangements provided or by contacting us.
We will make reasonable efforts to find a suitable alternative appointment. A rescheduling request is not confirmed until the new appointment has been agreed.
What if First Rate Surveys has to cancel my appointment?
If we are unable to attend your appointment, we will contact you as soon as reasonably practicable and, where possible, offer an alternative appointment.
If we cannot provide the booked service and an alternative appointment is not suitable or available, any refund due will be dealt with in accordance with applicable law.
How do I choose the right survey?
If you know what you are considering installing, choose the relevant survey — EV Charging, Solar PV or Battery Storage.
If you are considering more than one technology, you can book one of our combined surveys.
If you're unsure which service is right for your property, contact us before booking and we can explain the available options.
Do you provide commercial renewable energy surveys?
Yes. We provide commercial renewable energy surveying as a separate service.
Commercial requirements can vary significantly between properties and projects, so commercial surveys are generally discussed and quoted based on the individual site and scope required.
Please contact us to discuss a commercial requirement.
Do you provide fibre infrastructure surveys?
Yes. First Rate Surveys also provides commercial and infrastructure fibre surveying.
Our renewable energy and fibre surveying services are kept separate so you can choose the service relevant to your project.
How can I contact First Rate Surveys?
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please get in touch through our Contact page.
We're happy to discuss your property, explain which survey may be suitable and answer any questions before you book.