Inspect the roof before designing solar.
Its remaining life is unknown. Coordinate both consultations to avoid removing a new solar array for an early roof replacement.
01 · Property and scope
Make every quote cover the same roof.
Confirm the structures included in every price.IncludedPrimary residenceThis is the structure you confirmed.20.4 sq
Not includedAttached garage wingShown for context. It is not included in the report totals.5.4 sq
One roofing square equals 100 square feet of actual sloped roof surface. It is not floor area or the footprint of the building.
02 · Roofing plan
Measure first. Compare price second.
Gross roof area and material-planning quantity are different numbers.Roof surface2,040 ft²Calculated sloped surface
Roofing squares20.4Gross roof quantity
Planning quantity22.812% allowance included
Verified pitch6/12Confirm every roof plane on site
Inspect before signing
- Condition of the deckingOnly visible once the existing roofing is removed.
- Number of existing roofing layersNot visible from above.
- Remaining service lifeRequires a physical inspection.
03 · Solar plan
Size solar to the home and the roof.
This preliminary estimate uses yearly electricity and whole-panel configurations. It is not a final design.Preliminary system9.03 kW21 panelsB+ solar fit · Fits this roof · Strong preliminary potential
- Conservative planning production
- 11,785 kWhLikely 9,972 to 13,597 kWh after a visible 10% reduction
- Fictional raw DC model
- 13,094 kWhNo provider modeled this sample property
- Share of yearly electricity
- 103%Likely 87% to 119%
- Roof capacity
- 26 panels21 used in this estimate
- Best apparent exposure
- South / southwestConfirm shade and setbacks
Sun exposureStrongBroad roof exposure with limited apparent tree cover in the available imagery.
Roof geometryGoodTwo useful roof planes; hips, valleys, and setbacks reduce the theoretical maximum.
Obstruction riskLowChimney and roof penetrations appear manageable with standard layout clearances.
Roof readinessVerifyRoof condition and remaining service life require an on-site inspection.
Raw direct-current production and the 90% conservative planning figure are shown separately. This is not a bill-savings promise. The 430 W module is the Speedy Squares planning default, not final installer equipment.
04 · Price expectations
Match the price to what you get.
Move the guide across this fictional 22.8-square plan. Every increase should buy clearer scope, better materials, or stronger protection.Explore a contract total$965 per planning square
At this price
Well-specified replacement
This price should be supported by a complete roofing system and stronger written protections.
- Material
- Named architectural system with compatible components
- Scope
- Primary residence with required permit fees, filing, standard inspections, tear-off, disposal, flashing, ventilation, and a defined decking allowance.
- Warranty
- A meaningful written workmanship term and manufacturer registration should be stated.
Require in writing
- Permit fees, filing, and inspections
- System components by name
- Decking allowance and overage rate
- Workmanship term and exclusions
Watch for: Paying more is useful only when the contract proves what improved.
Illustrative scope guide for this fictional 22.8-square plan. It is not a quote, bid, appraisal, or verified local market range. Labor, material, access, permits, hidden deck damage, and contractor terms vary.
Solar planning price$24,832.50
Estimated cash planning baseline before incentives at $2.75/W: 21 whole panels × 430 W. It is not a contractor quote or guaranteed market price.
Optional battery example: $15,000.00. Solar plus battery: $39,832.50. Before incentives, financing costs, battery beyond this example, roof work, panel upgrades, electrical upgrades, trenching, utility work, permitting exceptions, and site-specific adders. Permitting inclusion is unknown until a contractor states it.05 · Consultation plan
Ask the same questions every time.
Written answers make competing proposals easier to compare.Verify at the property
- Confirm the pitch on each roof plane.
- Confirm the number of existing layers and whether a tear-off is required.
- Inspect decking, flashing, and ventilation.
- Confirm access, staging and disposal arrangements.
Ask before signing
- Which structures and how many roofing squares does this price cover?
- What happens if you find damaged decking, and what is the rate per sheet?
- Which shingle, underlayment, flashing and edge system are you quoting?
- What does the workmanship warranty cover, and will solar mounts affect it?
- What yearly solar production range are you modeling, and which assumptions drive it?
How the report knows what it knows
Building footprint1,720 ft² ground areaObserved
Aerial imageryApril 2025 · Fictional USDA NAIP example recordModelled
Elevation coverageConfirmed for this propertyObserved
Roof pitch6 / 12Field-verified
Roof plan allowance1.06 × footprint (eaves and overhang)Modelled
Roof surface area2,040 ft²Derived
Roofing squares20.4Derived
Roof condition and remaining lifeNot assessedUnknown
Number of existing layersNot assessedUnknown
Decking conditionNot assessedUnknown
What still changes the final answer
- Confirm roof condition and remaining service life.
- Model shade and setbacks on each usable roof plane.
- Compare the recommended system against 12 months of your electric usage.
- Verify structural, electrical, fire-code, utility, and permit requirements.
- Confirm roofing material, tear-off scope, decking, permits, disposal, access, and warranty.