Non Registered solar installer, provides legit COC

[AllysonO]

Hi group - I am new and way out of my depth.
I stay in a complex. They cover building insurance. i have been quoted by someone for a small solar installation - I now have doubts that they are registered electrical contractors. However, they supply a legit COC from an electrician that insurance would accept. I saw the certificate....it expires next month....registered to someone else from another company.

If the installer is not registered, but the COC is valid - how does insurance view this if there would be a claim?
I am trying to do my due diligence, too little too late perhaps as I have parted with money already.

Will a valid COC be enough for an insurance company should there be a claim?
Surely there are people doing some DIY jobs and then getting it inspected and getting a COC?

Please help me - am I going to get into trouble? I believe the installer is capable, but I can't find him registered anywhere.....
I want to cry - it's taken me so long to decide to do this, I have only a slight clue on what I am doing, and now this....

[AllysonO]

I read this in another thread by member 'Sparks', so I am truly trying to wrap my head around this - but still getting nowhere slowly it seems. Does it matter who did the install, if the COC is done by the properly registered person?

From Sparks' thread.....

[Isetech]

If you are aware of a crime being committed, you should report it, however this has become so common at the moment. I have a pile of quotes on my desk at the moment, not one of the companies are registered electrical contractors nor even solar installers.

The quotes are all from different "consulting companies" who have indicated that they do get the installations done by a solar installer and someone will issue a valid COC.

At this point in time the DOL have absolutely no control over solar installation, there are a few AIA's trying to make a noise, but in reality I still havent heard of one successful court case.

Its a free for all at the moment, the way I see it, so long as you have a valid COC, I wouldnt go looking for problems. Even if the COC is not valid, I have heard that you still have a right to claim (best you verify this with your insurance company.) and it is upo to the insurance company to take legal action against the person who issued the COC. I am yet to hear of one of these cases making it to court.,

[Isetech]

The money is in the sale of the equipment, not the installation. He who sells the equipment for the best price from a desk in a rented office with an internet connection and no physical address and absolutely no support, wins the race. A 10 % mark up on a R150k is R15k (money for jam) for organising a product to be collected and delivered to site

The suckers who installs the equipment make a few pennies and dont take responsibility for anything at the end of the day the person who signs the COC takes "ALL" the responsibility. We all know how well the policing in the industry works, the odds are in your favour that you will not get caught and the chance that you would actually end up in court is so small that its worth the risk.

It the same way alarm companies and aircon companies have been making money for years. The only difference is the suckers (people buying the stuff) are getting rear ended properly. Some are taking out huge loans to fund the installation, and at the end of the day they ar eon their own, no support and no cover.

It like the COC, people dont listen and I hear the same turn being played ever time there is a sale of a property.

[AllysonO]

If you are aware of a crime being committed, you should report it, however this has become so common at the moment. I have a pile of quotes on my desk at the moment, not one of the companies are registered electrical contractors nor even solar installers.

The quotes are all from different "consulting companies" who have indicated that they do get the installations done by a solar installer and someone will issue a valid COC.

At this point in time the DOL have absolutely no control over solar installation, there are a few AIA's trying to make a noise, but in reality I still havent heard of one successful court case.

Its a free for all at the moment, the way I see it, so long as you have a valid COC, I wouldnt go looking for problems. Even if the COC is not valid, I have heard that you still have a right to claim (best you verify this with your insurance company.) and it is upo to the insurance company to take legal action against the person who issued the COC. I am yet to hear of one of these cases making it to court.,

Thanks so much for the responses. You were very helpful.
The installation is being done by an electrician who is really like a one man band at the moment.
The COC is being done by a qualified person from a registered company.

I am going to go through with this installation.

[Isetech]

So long as your insurance is happy to cover your installation nothing else really matters.

Thanks so much for the responses. You were very helpful.
The installation is being done by an electrician who is really like a one man band at the moment.
The COC is being done by a qualified person from a registered company.

I am going to go through with this installation.

[Isetech]

People are going to tell you the "installation" has to be done by a registered electrical contractor or at least be supervised by a registered contractor, I wish I lived in the Truman bubble were this kind of thing might be a reality.

Unfortunately I live in in the real world were you think you have problems now, wait till you need technical support or some thing goes wrong or you need to claim.

I wish you luck and hope it works out for you.

[AllysonO]

People are going to tell you the "installation" has to be done by a registered electrical contractor or at least be supervised by a registered contractor, I wish I lived in the Truman bubble were this kind of thing might be a reality.

Unfortunately I live in in the real world were you think you have problems now, wait till you need technical support or some thing goes wrong or you need to claim.

I wish you luck and hope it works out for you.

Thanks. I'm going by your "as long as you have a valid COC, don't go looking for problems".
The COC will be from someone certified to do it. It has to be enough.
My head is exploding from conflicting information.

[AllysonO]

Update : I asked this man a few questions about his qualifications, why he first said that his business was certified/registered, but then later withdrew this statement.
I asked him why he showed me a copy of the registered man/company that would do the COC (which he whatsapped to me), but he never responded.
He was so offended at my questions (he actually had me in tears).
He said I could have my money back.
I said thank you, yes please cancel the deal.
I feel like a weight is off my chest, although he has said that his wife ordered the components & paid, so now my refund will be delayed.

I will never embark on something like this again, that I know nothing about, without first asking for advice.
My thanks for all the responses here.

I am now still powerless, but not bullied or sick to my stomach about losing money.

[AllysonO]

Update : I asked this man a few questions about his qualifications, why he first said that his business was certified/registered, but then later withdrew this statement.
I asked him why he showed me a copy of the registered man/company that would do the COC (which he whatsapped to me), but he never responded.
He was so offended at my questions (he actually had me in tears).

What I meant was - he showed me a photo of the qualified man, and then he deleted it from the chat when I started to ask questions.

[Isetech]

Reading content like this makes me realize how bad things have got. The electrical industry is certainly winning the race to the bottom.

Surely you have someone you can trust in your area or part of a community group which has people who can assist you?

In saying that I have a situation were an installer was highly recommended on a group, turns out the customer got the short end of the stick.