93
Trust
Score
WattBot

Vanwarner Construction reviews

CALIFORNIA / RIVERSIDE
Vanwarner Construction
56 Reviews • 1 Location 7,448 Data Points Processed

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The Verdict

VanWarner Construction earns strong recommendations for solar installations that actually deliver the savings promised. We analyzed dozens of reviews and found a consistent pattern: homeowners report electric bills dropping from $350+ per month to zero, with some customers receiving hundreds of dollars in credits from their utility within the first billing cycle. The company assigns a dedicated sales rep (typically Brandon or Philip) who stays involved from quote through activation, a detail 19 reviewers singled out as unusual in the industry. When one customer received both a solar bill and an electric bill during the permit-approval window, VanWarner covered the solar payment so the homeowner wouldn't pay twice. That kind of follow-through showed up repeatedly. One serious concern: a reviewer reported waiting 14 months for permit approval, paying double bills for 7 months, and never receiving a promised rebate. The vast majority experienced 5-6 month timelines with weekly email updates, but that outlier suggests permitting can occasionally stall. If you want an installer who'll check in months later to remind you about your tax credit (yes, that happened), VanWarner's attentiveness justifies the wait for most buyers.

If you're willing to budget 5-6 months for permits and utility approvals, VanWarner's hands-on support and documented bill reductions make them a safe choice. Just confirm all rebate terms in writing before signing.

3 Stories That Stood Out

1. Adolfo De Alba
Google | Jun 24, 2024 |

Adolfo De Alba met Brandon from VanWarner at his home, where Brandon quoted a 4–6 month timeline for installation and promised roughly a $3,000 rebate for signing up with Sunpower through the company. He agreed to move forward, but 14 months later the system still hasn’t been approved for use because VanWarner failed to secure the permit to operate the panels. For the past seven months he has been paying both a solar bill and a regular electric bill while the system sits unusable. VanWarner stopped answering his calls and refused to issue the promised rebate, leaving him out the benefit he was sold and covering two utility charges at once — a cautionary detail any buyer should note before signing.

2. CJ (geminidrums)
Google | Oct 29, 2023 |

CJ chose a home solar system and discovered that, even when the company handles permits and installation, the process can stretch to about five or six months before the panels start producing power. Philip and Brandon walked through the equipment and answered questions thoroughly, and a project coordinator, Kaitlyn Burnham, sent weekly email updates so CJ always knew where the job stood. During the wait CJ started using the mySunPower app and enjoyed watching production kick in and grid usage fall—right now, in shorter October days, output is lower but already visible. Van Warner picked up CJ’s first solar bill, which meant CJ didn’t have to pay both the new system and the utility at the same time—a concrete perk that removed a lot of short-term stress. CJ hopes that, once the system runs through a full billing cycle, a typical bill that was over $350 will drop under $100 and perhaps fall below $20 or even to zero as credits accumulate. CJ wrestled with lease-versus-buy choices and plans to buy after five years to avoid extra interest charges; the company’s hands-on service and clear communications made that decision easier than it might have been with a vendor that leaves you onus

3. Daniel Castro
Google | Jan 3, 2023 |

Daniel hired the company for a residential solar installation and discovered that Brandon became the steady presence amid a flurry of different crews and assigned tasks. He made himself available through the whole process, stepping in whenever work moved between teams to point Daniel in the right direction and answer any questions. Brandon didn’t disappear after the panels went up — he checked back in months later and even reminded Daniel to file the federal tax credit. What lingered for Daniel was not just clear communication during the install, but the follow-through afterward that kept the project from becoming someone else’s loose end.

Platforms Monitored

Google
56 Reviews · 1 Location
4.9/5
SolarReviews
Tracking
N/A
EnergySage
Tracking
N/A
Yelp
Tracking
N/A
BBB
Tracking
N/A

Performance by Work Type

SOLAR
SOLAR
Installation, permitting, and grid connection.
4.5/5
SERVICE
SERVICE
Repairs, maintenance, and ongoing system support.
5.0/5
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
Panel upgrades and wiring for system readiness.
N/A
BATTERY
BATTERY
Energy storage for backup savings and independence.
N/A
ROOFING
ROOFING
Repair or replacement, before or after solar installation.
N/A
COMPLEX PROJECTS
COMPLEX PROJECTS
Multi-trade installations requiring co-ordination.
N/A

How We Got To Trust Score 93

Clean Record

Unauthorized Activities

Passed screening

We checked for:
Unauthorized charges
Undisclosed loans
Identity theft
Forged signatures
Fake contracts
Falsified permits

Misleading Claims

Passed screening

We checked for:
Bait & switch
Overstated savings
Hidden fees
Misrepresented specs
False performance
Misleading warranty

Background Check

Serving customers for 4 years

Newer than most installers in the market.

BBB Rating

Not BBB rated.

Natural Review Patterns

Reviews were posted naturally over time.

What You Can Expect

01

1. Jonathan Estrada
Google | May 7, 2024 |

Jonathan Estrada experienced a five-star solar installation for his family, with seamless coordination from the sales team through the installers and project managers. Philip and Brandon managed scheduling around the family's needs, keeping the whole process hassle-free and on track. Philip stood out by consistently stepping in to help and resolving issues as they came up. He walked away valuing the team's responsiveness and the way they made everything work around his family's schedule — a concrete sign of customer-focused service.

2. Sean Marchetti Films
Google | Nov 16, 2023 |

Sean experienced a standout solar installation with Brandon’s company. He discovered the panels are delivering impressive energy savings and watched the project move smoothly from the initial consultation through the final installation. Brandon guided the process with clear expertise and professionalism, and he maintained excellent, attentive customer service throughout. What will stick with a prospective buyer is the combination of noticeable energy savings and a hands-on installer who stayed engaged at every step.

3. Lisa Perry, REALTOR
Google | Nov 6, 2023 |

Lisa, a REALTOR, was on the fence about switching to solar until she spoke with Brandon from the company. He walked her through every advantage, laid out the process step by step, and demystified the tax incentives and ongoing savings so thoroughly that uncertainty turned into confidence. After comparing a few other providers, she chose him and the company because his knowledge and clear explanations stood out. The detail that stuck with her was that breakdown of tax benefits and projected savings—she left knowing exactly what to expect and plans to send friends their way.

02

1. Trish Whitney
Google | Jan 1, 2024 |

Trish picked VanWarner Solar for a home installation and discovered that Brandon and his crew smoothed out each step of the process, keeping things easy and efficient from start to finish. She walked away with a functioning solar system that she calls the best decision for her family, and she felt genuinely grateful for the team's hands-on help. The detail that stands out: the installers handled the process with so little friction that the project felt simple rather than stressful — the kind of experience a buyer would notice right away.

2. CJ (geminidrums)
Google | Oct 29, 2023 |

CJ chose a home solar system and discovered that, even when the company handles permits and installation, the process can stretch to about five or six months before the panels start producing power. Philip and Brandon walked through the equipment and answered questions thoroughly, and a project coordinator, Kaitlyn Burnham, sent weekly email updates so CJ always knew where the job stood. During the wait CJ started using the mySunPower app and enjoyed watching production kick in and grid usage fall—right now, in shorter October days, output is lower but already visible. Van Warner picked up CJ’s first solar bill, which meant CJ didn’t have to pay both the new system and the utility at the same time—a concrete perk that removed a lot of short-term stress. CJ hopes that, once the system runs through a full billing cycle, a typical bill that was over $350 will drop under $100 and perhaps fall below $20 or even to zero as credits accumulate. CJ wrestled with lease-versus-buy choices and plans to buy after five years to avoid extra interest charges; the company’s hands-on service and clear communications made that decision easier than it might have been with a vendor that leaves you onus

3. Terry Canela
Google | Oct 19, 2023 |

Terry began the process with Van Warner Solar while exploring a residential solar purchase, and Brandon connected quickly, easing the usual worries during the information and buying stages. They answered every question and supported explanations with concrete data, often supplying extra resources before concerns even surfaced. Brandon kept in steady contact through permitting, scheduling and the install, and he even showed up on installation day — that data-driven approach combined with in-person follow-through is what convinced them to recommend Van Warner Solar.

03

1. Richard Morris
Google | Jan 30, 2024 |

Richard Morris celebrated the switch to rooftop solar when his very first electric bill arrived showing a $0 balance. He opened the statement and discovered not only nothing due but also a credit of nearly $450, a result that left him thrilled. He thanked Brandon and Joseph for their help, and the standout detail he remembers is how quickly the system began putting money back on his account.

2. Eugene Perkins
Google | Apr 1, 2023 |

Eugene hired the company to outfit his home with solar panels, controls and a battery and found the whole team—from salespeople through project managers to installers—consistently professional, informative and helpful at every step. He loved the finished look of the panels, the controls and the battery, and appreciated the clear communication throughout the project. The detail that stuck with him most was a return visit from the original sales team, who came back to see how the installation went and answer any remaining questions.

3. Kaila Corral
Google | Feb 20, 2023 |

Kaila worked with Bran to install solar panels on her home and he guided her through the whole process until the system was up and running. He answered every question, stayed attentive throughout, and consistently followed up in a prompt manner. That steady responsiveness — not flashy salesmanship, just reliable follow-through — is what stuck with her, and she plans to recommend Bran to friends, family and neighbors.

Long-term Satisfaction

Recent customers rate Vanwarner Construction 5.0 ★

Long-term reviews carry the most weight in our methodology because they are most representative of what you should be paying for: a system that will perform for years.

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