Path-Q Solar

How should a landlord compare installers when one provides tenant access coordination and the other does not?

Answer

Treat tenant access coordination as a priced scope item, not an informal convenience. Compare the installers on who schedules notices, obtains consent, handles missed access, protects tenant privacy and property, coordinates outages, and resolves access-related delays.

Key points

  • Require each installer to state whether coordination includes notices, scheduling, rescheduling, entry logs, lockbox handling, and tenant questions.
  • Compare the assumed number and duration of visits for surveys, installation, inspection, commissioning, and repairs.
  • Clarify who communicates planned outages and who pays for delays caused by access problems.
  • Evaluate experience working in occupied buildings and with vulnerable or commercial tenants.
  • Put responsibilities, response times, documentation, and added charges in the contract.

What it depends on

  • Number of units and buildings
  • Tenant occupancy and access restrictions
  • Required site visits and outage windows
  • Installer communication process
  • Contract exclusions and change-order rates

Risks and trade-offs

  • Self-managing access may reduce the quote but consume landlord time and increase delay risk.
  • Installer-managed coordination may cost more but provide accountability and consistent tenant communication.
  • Poor coordination can cause complaints, missed appointments, property damage, or schedule overruns.
  • Tenant privacy and entry requirements may constrain scheduling.

Information you may need

  • Itemized proposals and exclusions
  • Tenant access requirements and contact procedures
  • Installation schedule and expected outages
  • References from occupied multi-unit projects
  • Written change-order and delay terms

Your next step

What to do next

Issue both installers the same tenant-coordination scope and compare the resulting price, responsibilities, response commitments, and references.

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