Overview
Battery backup quotes are sold by runtime, not by kWh
Battery backup is one of the fastest-growing trades in markets with unreliable grids. The customer asks for 'a backup system' and means: keep the lights on, the wifi on, the fridge running, and the geyser ignored until tomorrow. The conversation that needs to happen is about runtime at the customer's actual loads. A 5kWh battery runs an essentials circuit (lights, plugs, wifi) for eight hours; the same battery runs a kettle, a fridge, and a tumble dryer for under an hour. A quote that just lists 'battery system, 10kWh' for one number gives the customer no way to picture what they're buying.
QuoteGenio gives battery backup installers a quoting shape that starts with runtime. Essential loads survey as the first line, battery by chemistry (LiFePO4 or NMC) and usable capacity, inverter spec, automatic transfer switch, essentials sub-distribution board with the chosen circuits named, cabling, and commissioning. Send via WhatsApp from the customer's house, take a deposit on the equipment order, and the final invoice attaches a runtime test on the agreed loads. The customer who was sold an 'eight-hour backup' sees, in writing, that it really does eight hours.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for installers adding battery storage to existing inverters and new hybrid systems alike.
The problem
The quoting traps every battery installer knows
Battery quotes are nuanced. Capacity, chemistry, BMS compatibility, cabinet, and cable run all affect the final number.
Quotes lose urgency
Clients want battery backup because load-shedding is happening tonight. If your quote takes two days, they've already signed with someone who sent it from the site.
Capacity and autonomy confusion
Clients hear 'kWh' and don't know what it means. Without a clear 'this powers X for Y hours' line, they either feel oversold or undersold. Both cost you the job.
BMS and inverter compatibility
Not every battery talks to every inverter. If the quote doesn't specify firmware compatibility, you install, it doesn't communicate, and the client blames you for a bad product.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes battery quoting fast
A structured quoting flow that covers battery, BMS, cabinet, cabling, and commissioning in one professional PDF.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for battery systems
Line items for each battery module, BMS, cabinet, cabling, and commissioning. Structured the way battery backup quotes need to be.
Works from the site
Size the battery, check compatibility, and send the quote before leaving. No after-hours quote writing.
Quote in 3 minutes
Reusable templates with your standard battery options get a full quote out in minutes, not hours.
Professional every time
Clear warranty, chemistry, and autonomy details on every quote. Battery systems are a high-trust sale. Your quote needs to build confidence.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how battery backup installers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Battery Backup Installers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Battery Backup Installers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Battery Backup Installers job pricing
A rough guide to what battery backup installers charge for common residential and small commercial jobs. Pricing moves with chemistry (LiFePO4 vs NMC), brand, and whether a cabinet is needed. Use these ranges as a reference point.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Site assessment and compatibility check | R1,322 - R2,975 |
| 2.4kWh lithium battery (Pylontech class) | R14,048 - R22,311 |
| 5kWh lithium battery (single module) | R27,270 - R41,318 |
| 10kWh lithium stack (2x 5kWh) | R56,192 - R85,940 |
| 15kWh commercial battery cabinet | R90,899 - R140,480 |
| Battery cabinet and bracket (standalone) | R2,975 - R11,238 |
| BMS configuration and commissioning | R2,975 - R6,941 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Battery site assessments include checking existing inverter compatibility, measuring cable run, and confirming cabinet location. Charge R1,322 to R2,975 and credit it back on signed install. Don't give away compatibility checks for free, they're technical work and clients who pay for them convert better.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Quote battery installs fixed price once chemistry, capacity, and inverter compatibility are confirmed. Use hourly (R1,405 to R2,149 per hour) for BMS diagnostic work, firmware issues, and battery health investigations. For older inverters, always add a compatibility contingency line.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here's a clean battery-add quote. Every cost is visible. Battery, bracket, cabling, isolator, labour, and firmware. Adding capacity to an existing system is a common job. A transparent quote wins over a vague 'add a battery' offer every time.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Add 5kWh lithium battery to existing inverter
5.12kWh lithium battery (Pylontech US3000C)
Battery wall bracket and vibration pads
Battery cable set (2m, lugged)
DC isolator and breaker
Labour (install, BMS pairing, commission)
Firmware update and client app handover
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.12kWh lithium battery (Pylontech US3000C) | 1 | R29,418 | R29,418 |
| Battery wall bracket and vibration pads | 1 | R1,570 | R1,570 |
| Battery cable set (2m, lugged) | 1 | R2,314 | R2,314 |
| DC isolator and breaker | 1 | R1,405 | R1,405 |
| Labour (install, BMS pairing, commission) | 3 | R1,735 / hr | R5,206 |
| Firmware update and client app handover | 1 | R1,570 | R1,570 |
| Subtotal | R41,483 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R4,148 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R45,631 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Wall bracket, battery cable set (not the thin wires in the box), DC isolator, battery-side surge protection, the BMS firmware update on the inverter, and the client app onboarding. These small items add up and get forgotten. Template them once.
Peer snapshot
How Battery Backup Installers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Battery Backup Installers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
18
Quotes sent per month
44%
Average quote acceptance
4 min
Median time to send quote
R45,631
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Battery Backup Installer jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
Battery backup quoting has only been a mainstream trade for a few years and the same compatibility and warranty mistakes come up repeatedly. Fix these and you'll protect margin and avoid the warranty arguments that kill referrals.
Mistake: Not confirming BMS compatibility before quoting
Better: Before you send a battery quote, confirm the target inverter's firmware version and BMS protocol compatibility with the specific battery model. A US2000 and US3000C don't always talk to the same inverter. If you discover incompatibility on install day you eat the return trip. Add a 'Subject to BMS compatibility check on site' note on every battery quote.
Mistake: Stating capacity without autonomy context
Better: Clients don't buy kWh, they buy hours of backup. Write 'Powers essential loads (lights, fridge, Wi-Fi, TV): approximately 8 hours' on every quote. It kills the 'why does my battery only last 4 hours' call, because you set the expectation with named loads upfront.
Mistake: Forgetting battery-side DC surge protection
Better: Lithium batteries are sensitive to spikes. Always add a DC surge protector and a properly rated breaker on the battery side. It's R1,322 to R2,479 of parts that protects a R29,749 battery. Skip it and you're replacing batteries under warranty instead of selling new ones.
Mistake: No cabinet on commercial installs
Better: Commercial and larger residential battery banks need a ventilated, fire-rated cabinet with lockable access. Quote the cabinet, ventilation, and (where required) fire detection as a separate scope. Insurance companies are now asking about battery cabinets on claims. No cabinet often means no cover.
Mistake: Parallel-pairing mismatched batteries
Better: Never quote adding a new battery to parallel with one that's more than 12 months old unless the firmware and state-of-charge can be matched. A new cell paired with an aged cell ages the new one to the old one's state. Quote fresh stacks, or recommend full replacement with a clear reason on the quote.
Mistake: No warranty start date on the quote
Better: Battery warranties start on commissioning, not delivery. State the commissioning date and warranty period on the quote so a client who delays install doesn't blame you when year 5 fails and they say they bought it in year 7. Put it in writing every time.
Mistake: Skipping the firmware update line
Better: Most inverter/battery pairings need a firmware update on the inverter to recognise the new battery. That's 30 to 60 minutes of commissioning work. Quote it as a 'R1,570 firmware update and commissioning' line every time, even if it's quick. It captures the technical work properly.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote battery backup installation jobs
Check compatibility before you quote capacity. On the site visit, identify the existing inverter's brand, model, and firmware version, and confirm the BMS protocol it speaks (Pylontech CAN, Sunsynk native, generic RS485). A US2000 and a US3000C do not always talk to the same inverter. Measure the wall space for the battery, whether the site needs a ventilated cabinet, and the cable run in metres to the inverter. For commercial installs, check the fire-rated backing and access for a lockable enclosure. Log the client's named essential loads with running wattage so you can quote autonomy in hours rather than kWh, because clients buy 'approximately 8 hours of lights, fridge, Wi-Fi, and TV', not a number on a label.
Itemise each battery module by brand, capacity, and chemistry ('Pylontech US3000C 5.12kWh LiFePO4') on its own line, then add the wall bracket or vibration pads, the battery cable set (lugged, 2m), a DC isolator and breaker, and DC surge protection. List the BMS pairing, firmware update, and client app handover as a $ 95 to $ 180 commissioning line because they take 30 to 60 minutes of real work. On replacement jobs, add an old-battery removal and certified recycling line at $ 80 to $ 220. For commercial banks, quote the ventilated fire-rated cabinet, ventilation, and where required fire detection as a distinct scope rather than burying it in labour.
Set a 14 day validity on battery quotes because lithium cell pricing tracks global demand and USD shipping, and stocking levels on Pylontech and similar brands move weekly. State on the quote that battery warranty starts on commissioning date, not delivery, and that the warranty is conditional on the recommended depth of discharge (typically 80 to 90 percent) and cycle life (6,000 cycles at stated DoD). Running below the recommended DoD voids warranty, put that in writing. Ask for a 60 percent deposit against battery order since lithium stock is allocated on payment. For client-supplied batteries, state explicitly that warranty, performance, and capacity are excluded and charge a higher labour rate for handling unfamiliar equipment.
Send the quote while still on site. Battery buyers have been through one too many load-shedding evenings and act fast when a clean quote lands in their WhatsApp. Build it on your phone, share the link before you leave, and follow up three days later with a short message noting current stock on the specified module. Include an 'Optional future expansion' block showing today's per-module price with a 6 month validity, plus the caveat that expansion after 24 months requires the existing bank to be under two years old and over 90 percent state of health. This closes the original deal because the upgrade path is visible, and any expansion request later goes out as a fresh numbered variation quote.
FAQ
Common questions from battery backup installers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Add each component as its own line. Clients want to see exactly what makes up a battery quote.
Yes. Share the quote as a link via WhatsApp from your phone. The client opens a professional PDF instantly.
Yes. Add BMS configuration and firmware update as a separate line. It's real work and deserves its own price.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. The client accepts online, no signup needed.
Yes. One click converts the accepted quote to an invoice. All line items carry over.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required.
Don't. Different chemistries have different voltage curves and charge profiles and mixing them destroys both. If a client asks, quote a full replacement with LiFePO4 (which is what most residential systems use now) and explain clearly on the quote why mixing chemistries isn't supported. Put it in writing. Clients who push back after a written explanation are ones you don't want anyway. A clear technical reason on the quote filters out problem clients early.
Only for specific off-grid or budget scenarios. For residential load-shedding backup, quote lithium only. Lead-acid has 40 to 50 percent usable capacity versus 90 percent for lithium, needs ventilation, and has a 3 to 5 year life versus 10 years for lithium. On the quote, show the lithium price alongside a note that 'we no longer recommend lead-acid for new backup installs' and link to a short reason. This positions you as a modern installer and avoids warranty claims on end-of-life lead-acid banks.
On battery replacement jobs, add a 'Old battery removal and responsible disposal' line at R1,322 to R3,636. Lithium batteries can't go to landfill, they need certified recycling (typically through a supplier take-back scheme). Lead-acid has its own recycling route. State on the quote that disposal goes through a certified recycler and keep the recycling paperwork. It's a small line but it protects you from environmental liability and gives clients a feel-good reason to pick you.
On the original quote, include an 'Optional future expansion' section showing the cost per additional kWh at today's price, with a 6-month validity on that optional pricing. State clearly that expansion after 12 months requires the existing battery to be under a certain age and state-of-health to be accepted (typically less than 2 years and over 90 percent capacity). This teaches the client that batteries age and expansion is easiest in the first two years. It also closes the original deal because the upgrade path is visible.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Pricing benchmark
What do battery backup installers charge in 2026?
Hourly rates by region, common job prices, a worked sample quote, and the FAQs customers actually ask. The complete pricing reference for battery backup installers.
Typical hourly
$80-$180/hr
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Guides
Guides for Battery Backup Installers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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