The installation went fairly well about 2 weeks ago. However, the siding near the Powerwall was cracked and I was told the "siding specialist/guy" would contact me to schedule the repair. Haven't heard anything yet. A few days after the install, a quality audit was done and I was told that the design plans showed an on/off switch to be added to my sub-panel. That has also not been done. Yesterday the city inspector came and the project passed inspection. Later in the day, Tesla sent an invoice with a due date of 12/27/20. I don't think I should pay until all work is complete. Has anyone else had this experience and how did you handle it? My project advisor has not replied to a text and phone message. Thanks.
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Billing notice but work is not complete
- Thread starter sleepy
- Start date
Somewhat of dilemma.
On the one hand, it comes down to trust. Do you feel confident that outstanding items on the list we be handled?
On the other hand, I assume you are planning on deducting at the 26% rate on your 2020 taxes? If so, paying in 2020 makes it cleaner.
Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
You can do what you wish. However. A crew is here now at my house installing panels. Tomorrow the other half will - the two Powerwalls will be installed. I am hopeful, to the point of calling and whining until I see the bill to pay before 31 Dec. I want to pay that bill, so I can turn in that receipt for the tax credits in 2020 vice waiting until 2021. Don't tell me, I must wait until PTO. I've added solar 5 times. All I need is the paid invoice. You do what you wish.
I'm not sure if I trust them. These unresolved issues seemed to be a surprise. Buy paying in 2020 is probably simpler. The quality auditor said I should have a copy of the plans. I asked both him and the project advisor to send them to me, but so far I haven't gotten those either.
I am in the same boat. There are some minor repairs (chimney façade) that the specialist needs to come and finish. I received the 2nd half / final invoice as soon as inspection passed however. That's the default trigger I suspect. Anyhow, I chose to pay almost all of the 2nd invoice except for a little bit ($2K) until the cosmetic work is finished. That way we both have our incentives lined up and the pay is commensurate to job being done-done.
We had a few maintenance items after passing city inspection. We paid and they set up appt for work to be done, needed to swap out a breaker and the work included some drywalling that was required after they had to move some existing equipment and our 14-50 charging outlet — both of which were where the whole house distribution panel and solar/PW panel needed to go. Scheduled and done in a couple of weeks from inspection. Their drywall guy was great. This was back in September I think. I would not worry about paying before all the final maintenance work is completed. Tesla’s not some fly-by-night company that won’t show up. Unless things are slow in your area, just don’t expect the maintenance to be scheduled the same week, especially if their teams are swamped with YE installs. They only have so many guys doing the maintenance “after install” work so depends on who’s in front of you.
After paying they submitted our Interconnection application and plans to PG&E for PTO I think within 3 days in our case. PTO took several weeks to be granted. You can wait to pay but I don’t believe until they have full payment will PTO request be submitted.
We requested our plans awhile back and received a .pdf of them. I suspect office staff is just super busy right now and not as high a priority as getting documents to the city and utility for people waiting to have systems installed and placed in service.
After paying they submitted our Interconnection application and plans to PG&E for PTO I think within 3 days in our case. PTO took several weeks to be granted. You can wait to pay but I don’t believe until they have full payment will PTO request be submitted.
We requested our plans awhile back and received a .pdf of them. I suspect office staff is just super busy right now and not as high a priority as getting documents to the city and utility for people waiting to have systems installed and placed in service.
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Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
It is pretty simple. You can pay prior to all the details are done and take a tax credit for 2020.
If you wish, you can wait till the last things are done and make your payment in 2021. Then take your tax credit (same 26%) in 2021.
If you wish, you can wait till the last things are done and make your payment in 2021. Then take your tax credit (same 26%) in 2021.
Thanks for your thoughts. It would be nice to get the tax credit in 2020, but not at the expense of a long hassle to get them to finish the job.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
I believe so. If not, it is intended to be extended in early 2021 and be retroactive. Part of the last minute flurry of government trying to give Covid relief plus fund a ton of pet projects by leadership.
No matter, you get to make your choice and live with the consequences. Since the future is cloudy for many of us, and I have faith in Tesla, I would make the payment this year to gain the benefit. There will be a new administration in January, and there is no way to assure that everything will go as hoped.
A lot of bills will be coming due next year and administration will need to figure out which to pay and which to reborrow.
No matter, you get to make your choice and live with the consequences. Since the future is cloudy for many of us, and I have faith in Tesla, I would make the payment this year to gain the benefit. There will be a new administration in January, and there is no way to assure that everything will go as hoped.
A lot of bills will be coming due next year and administration will need to figure out which to pay and which to reborrow.
I've only paid the $100 deposit and now Tesla wants the full balance due. Did your project advisor okay paying all but $2K?
Good to hear your your request for PTO was quick. I'm just a bit concerned about getting the work done because every person I talk to doesn't know anything about it. I think part of the problem is my original project advisor (who was very good) went on maternity leave about a month ago. The replacement doesn't seem familiar with my project.
It is not as clear-cut as this given the IRS code language on when costs are considered paid for purposes of the credit, which might allow you to claim the credit this year in either case as long as the system is "placed in service" as the IRS defines it. But there is no doubt paying this year makes things cleaner.
And, as others noted, the credit next year is still 22% for the moment. While it seems like there will be an extension sooner or later, it is still a bit of a risk for anybody who is on the border between 2021 and 2022 for when their system is placed in service.
What does your contract say about how you agreed to pay? If due upon passing inspection then that’s your answer.
Your bill should have a contact number, at least ours did. My husband paid by phone. Suppose you can call and ask. Our contract done early in 2020 was split into two payments, half the day they started and final half when passing inspection. If you’ve only had to put down a $100 deposit so far, you’ve been able to hold onto your money so far and Tesla had faith in you honoring your commitment. They got you installed before end of year and I’m sure they would like to book the install for calendar year 2020. They have been trying to get as many jobs installed and approved not knowing if the FITC would be extended let alone kept at the same 26% rate as for 2020.
As I said we paid having faith that Tesla would come back and complete the maintenance items. They are the company who will be maintaining the equipment for years down the road so not disappearing. I’d venture to guess they have tens of thousands of dollars into your house and are at greater risk of you not coming through than them not coming through for you.
Your bill should have a contact number, at least ours did. My husband paid by phone. Suppose you can call and ask. Our contract done early in 2020 was split into two payments, half the day they started and final half when passing inspection. If you’ve only had to put down a $100 deposit so far, you’ve been able to hold onto your money so far and Tesla had faith in you honoring your commitment. They got you installed before end of year and I’m sure they would like to book the install for calendar year 2020. They have been trying to get as many jobs installed and approved not knowing if the FITC would be extended let alone kept at the same 26% rate as for 2020.
As I said we paid having faith that Tesla would come back and complete the maintenance items. They are the company who will be maintaining the equipment for years down the road so not disappearing. I’d venture to guess they have tens of thousands of dollars into your house and are at greater risk of you not coming through than them not coming through for you.
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Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
Has that new stimulus bill been signed? I think it still needs Pres Trump's signature to make it official.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Trump now says he may Veto it. Wants more than $600 going to citizens. Perhaps up to $2,000. Says $600 is chump change compared to the $Billions going to pet politician projects. Dems seem in agreement.
While bill is probably veto proof, it may still get them to increase the amount going to individuals instead of corporations.
While bill is probably veto proof, it may still get them to increase the amount going to individuals instead of corporations.
Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
Contract says balance "due within five (5) days of inspection." Also says (in all caps) "IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED." I am concerned they won't be motivated to finish my project if they have been paid in full. That's fairly typical human behavior that I have encountered in the past.
Not sure about your project but with our solar roof + power wall the contract was half on material delivery and half on successful inspection. And that’s pretty much when the invoices arrived. So they are triggered automatically as I mentioned earlier.
There is/was no project advisor as such. Tesla runs a decentralized operation as I have come to experience. Lots of people step in and help where needed. I felt comfortable withholding a small amount back and no one has had an issue so far.
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