Three quotes for the same site can differ by half, and the cheapest is usually cheapest because something is missing. Here is what to check before you sign anything.
Key facts
- A serious quote is based on a metered load, not a guess from your generator's nameplate.
- It states battery usable capacity and cycle life, not just nameplate kWh.
- It names the design ambient temperature — 25 °C assumptions fail in Lagos.
- It includes VFDs on large motors, monitoring, commissioning and a warranty schedule.
The eight red flags
- No load measurement — sizing from generator kVA alone
- No mention of motor start-up surge or VFDs
- Battery quoted in nameplate kWh without usable capacity or cycles
- No design ambient temperature, or one below 40 °C
- No panel thickness or door spec on a cold room
- Freight, duties and installation 'to be confirmed'
- No monitoring, or monitoring as an optional extra
- No commissioning checklist or handover training
What the good quote shows
Measured daily energy and peak, array size with roof or ground plan, inverter surge rating, battery usable kWh and cycles at the stated temperature, backup arrangement, monitoring, a delivery timeline, warranty terms and exactly what is excluded. If the quote is a service contract, it shows your current spend, the fee, and the saving.
Price validity
Equipment is priced in dollars and yuan and freight moves. A quote should say how long it holds and what happens if freight or exchange rates move more than a few percent before order — ours do.
Have a quote you're unsure about? Send it over.
Talk to Frontières BayFrequently asked
Should I always take three quotes?
Yes, and compare them line by line against the list above rather than on total price.
Will you review a competitor's quote?
Yes — send it with your audit request and we'll tell you what's missing.