Home energy upgrade quotes: why the first 48 hours matter

Your customer requests a quote for energy-efficient home improvements. Now the clock starts ticking. The first 48 hours often determine whether the homeowner moves forward or drops out. Because as soon as the total price is presented, the calculations begin. Can I pay for this with my savings? Do I need a loan? Which subsidies are available?

And that is exactly where progress can stall. Not because of the technology. Not because the customer no longer wants to make their home more sustainable. But because they do not know how to make the investment affordable. While their interest is still fresh, the next step needs to be clear.

A good quote does more than show how much the improvements will cost. It also shows the customer how they can move forward.

The quote makes the cost real

During the consultation, the conversation might be about having a warmer home. Fewer draughts. Lower energy bills. Perhaps even finally saying goodbye to that old central heating boiler. It all sounds good.

Until the customer sees the total at the bottom of the quote.

€8,000 for insulation and glazing.
€12,000 for a heat pump.
Or even more when several improvements are needed at the same time.

From that moment on, the homeowner is no longer simply buying comfort or energy savings. They must decide what the investment will mean for their savings, mortgage or monthly expenses.

That is precisely where doubt begins.

The first 48 hours: from enthusiasm to calculations

Immediately after receiving the quote, the customer’s interest is still high. They are calculating, comparing and discussing their options.

That is why the first 48 hours are so important. Not because every opportunity disappears after exactly two days, but because this is when the financial feasibility of the project is truly tested for the first time.

If financial questions remain unanswered, enthusiasm quickly fades.

The quote disappears into the inbox. The decision is postponed. And “we’ll think about it a little longer” gradually turns into silence.

It is not a firm no.

But it is certainly not a yes either.

The customer wants to proceed, but there is no clear way to pay

Research also shows that money is a major barrier.

According to the AFM’s latest Consumer Monitor for Mortgage Holders, a lack of financial resources is the most frequently cited reason for deciding not to proceed with planned energy-efficient home improvements. Among homeowners who did make their homes more sustainable, a large majority paid for the entire investment using savings.

That works well for households that have the money available. But not everyone has thousands of euros readily available or wants to pay the full amount upfront.

The desire to make a home more sustainable may be strong. The expected savings may be clear. The quote may be technically sound in every respect. But without a clear view of the financing options, the plan may still be put on hold.

A subsidy is not yet a payment plan

Of course, subsidies are available. Through schemes such as the ISDE, homeowners may be eligible for subsidies for measures including insulation, heat pumps, solar water heaters, ventilation and connections to a district heating network, subject to certain conditions. For many improvements, the subsidy application is submitted after the work has been completed.

This means the customer often needs to be able to cover the investment first. Even after the subsidy has been deducted, there is usually still an amount left to pay.

Yet the information provided often stops at: “You may be eligible for a subsidy.”

That is useful. But how will the rest be paid?

With savings? Through the mortgage? With a home energy improvement loan? Or through a combination of these options?

Simply mentioning an amount does not create a payment plan.

Do not just show what it costs

Many quotes for energy-efficient home improvements are technically strong.

They list the materials. The work is clearly described. The expected return or savings have been calculated. The warranty information is included.

But at the bottom, there is one large total amount.

That is why, during the first 48 hours, the customer needs to see not only how much the improvements will cost, but also how the investment could be made possible.

Clearly show:

• the total investment;
• which subsidies may apply;
• the amount remaining after subsidies;
• the available payment options;
• what financing could mean in terms of approximate monthly costs.

Not every option will suit every customer. A loan must always be affordable and appropriate for the customer’s personal circumstances.

But that is exactly the point: the customer does not need to choose immediately. First, they need to see that there are options to choose from. That is where Prets can help.

The first 48 hours: where Prets comes in

During those crucial first 48 hours, customers should not have to find their own way through a maze of subsidies, loans, mortgage options and eligibility requirements.

That is where Prets can help.

Prets makes financing part of the moment when the customer reviews the quote not weeks later, when the quote has sunk to the bottom of their inbox, and not only after the customer says the price is too high.

Immediately after receiving the quote, the customer gains insight into the possible ways to pay. How much could be covered with savings? Which subsidies might be available? What financing options are there? And what could the approximate monthly costs be?

The customer can then compare the options clearly and conveniently, all in one place. If additional support is needed, Prets’ financial advisers can provide guidance throughout the financing process.

This is what the first 48 hours with Prets look like:

Immediately after the quote

The investment becomes clear. Prets immediately presents the possible financing options.

Within 24 hours

The customer compares the options and sees the potential monthly costs associated with each one.

Within 48 hours

Does the customer still have questions or are they unsure how to proceed? Prets helps make the next step clear.

The customer ultimately submits the financing application themselves. Prets does not decide on the customer’s behalf or take over the application where this is not possible or permitted. What we do provide is a clear overview, straightforward explanations and personal support.

No isolated subsidy link here and a separate search for financing there. Just clarity at the moment the customer is ready to make a decision.

‍