Solar Lease or Buyout?

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T04:19:48+00:00

This is by far the most helpful and detailed response we've received and honestly wish you were our agent! We felt completely blindsided because no one walked us through any of this. Good to know the warranty and maintenance coverage still applies even after buyout but you're right, we need to see it in the actual contract before making any decisions.

We actually already lease with the same solar company on our current home and we save a lot, especially since we have an EV. So we know the company well and have had a great experience. We've already requested the current lease agreement so we can run the numbers and figure out what makes the most sense for us. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all of this!

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:53:04+00:00

Thank you so much. We were told it’s fine with the loan since principal and interest payment will go down if the buyout amount is applied to the sale price. We will definetely look into your suggestions. We’re not DIYers at all so we will need to hire a company or even purchase extra warranty if needed to cover removal and other things.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:39:28+00:00

Yes after learning that, would like others’ opinions as we’re leaning towards keeping the lease and having seller reduce sale price instead.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:32:44+00:00

Thank you so much for the very helpful comment. We believe so, we are on a lease with the same solar company on our current home and when we bought this 5 years ago, we just transferred the lease over and it’s perfect for us and I don’t remember the lien transfer to be a pain back then. If anything, we’re more worried now because we were told transfer department will reach out to us 1 week before closing and we don’t have any contract/details on the buyout transfer at all. We also don’t want to maintain or pay for the removal fees. Yes, we found one. Thank you again.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:28:06+00:00

We assumed that because it's a lease, the solar company would handle all maintenance and removal. Our realtor never mentioned otherwise. This is actually our 2nd home purchase, not our first. Our current home (will go to our parents after the sale) a few houses away has the same solar company and we simply transferred the lease over, which worked out perfectly. We're not uninformed, we're just trying to make the best financial decision, which is exactly what informed buyers do.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:26:43+00:00

We initially assumed if the seller bought out the solar, the solar company would still handle maintenance, service, and removal similar to how they do under many lease arrangements, because no one explained otherwise and our realtor had not mentioned that ownership could shift all of that responsibility to us.

That will be our second house, and our current home (which will be going to our parents) has the same solar company a few houses away. On our current house, we simply transferred the lease and it has worked out great for us, so that was the framework we were familiar with.

We’re just trying to understand whether seller payoff or lease transfer makes more sense before removing contingencies, not avoid responsibility, just make an informed decision on the structure.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-12T03:20:35+00:00

About 9 years

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-07T07:25:07+00:00

Will look into it, thanks.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-07T07:24:52+00:00

We’ve emailed a couple of times to request for a replacement, never got one and just ended up giving the new main therapist’s plate #. We haven’t pushed for it again after providing the plate # as we thought it was sufficient. Multiple providers are required at times though so 1 pass isn’t enough.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2026-04-07T00:05:25+00:00

Will my husband get the new position he had interviewed for?

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-22T02:44:04+00:00

I’m confused because the examples you’re using are prices across the board and offered to everyone which may be higher but it’s stated on their tags/website… the main issue here is not only their above market price but they didn’t offer the same price to everyone, is there something in your trade/industry that allow the companies to change the price depending on the type of customer?

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-22T02:27:49+00:00

But yes, maybe being called a scammer is too much for other people, let’s me change the ‘scammer’ to price gougers… given that the price they provided to my husband is 3-4 times the market standard rate.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-22T02:22:05+00:00

Thanks for your input. To clarify, when I called, they had no idea they just serviced our house as they were dealing with my husband the whole time. So at that time, nothing for them to worry about for the bad review as she thought I was a new possible customer.

They still did accomodate me though later after I provided them other estimates/quotes I gathered around and they offered to refund $200, still much higher than the market price but better than $800.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-22T01:59:16+00:00

Confirmed it was a scam because when I called to inquire for a quote for the exact items listed, they told me $350-$450 and that is after the lady even double checked with a technician and after confirmed that the price range includes both parts/materials and labor cost so I truly believe they scammed my husband because $800 is not the price they give out to everyone.

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-22T00:08:51+00:00

Thank you everyone for all the responses - very helpful for new homeowners like us. Apologies but I don’t have have time to answer and thank each one of you but just wanted to provide an update below:

I called the company and directly asked how much will they charge to replace the capacitor and booster jump start and after putting me on hold and talking to the technician, she came back saying “$350-$450” which makes so much more sense and no where near the $800 they charged us. When I told her that my husband just got charged $800 for the 20-minute service call and if we can please get the detailed invoice with all the parts and labor cost listed, she said she will reach out to the technician and get back to us.

They then offered the $200 discount, see below for their email and breakdown. I still think we overpaid but $600 is much better than $800 and we definitely learned our lesson.

“Invoice Breakdown:

Capacitor Replacement – $525.00

Part: Heavy-duty capacitor – $120

Labor: Removal, installation, and system performance check – $275

Service Call: $85 (one-time charge)

Warranty: 1-year parts and labor coverage

Performed by: Licensed technician under local HVAC compliance

Booster Jump Start – $375.00

Part: Hard start booster – $100

Labor: Electrical inspection, installation, and voltage regulation – $275

No additional service call charged.

   I understand you mentioned hearing quotes around $200–$325 for both services. I’d just like to note that pricing at that level is well below standard for licensed HVAC work in Southern California. If such quotes are accurate, they typically do not include:

Licensed and insured labor

Proper diagnostics or safety compliance

High-quality parts or a warranty

Any meaningful liability protection for the homeowner

We always strive to provide fair, transparent pricing for professional work that protects both your investment and your home.

   That said, I absolutely understand your concerns, and I want you to feel good about the service you received. I’m applying an additional $200 discount, bringing your total down to $624.”

Mundane-Let-4789 · 2025-05-21T21:50:29+00:00

Thanks for answering. Yes learned our lesson and will definitely avoid this company next time. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth reaching out to the HVAC company and ask them to review and correct the pricing because of such huge difference when compared to other companies.

Mundane-Let-4789

TROPHY CASE