I had an exceptional experience with Next Door Home Upgrades, and I want to share just how smooth, honest, and efficient the entire process was from start to finish.
I reached out to Johnny on October 8th, 2025 about installing solar with battery backup. He met with me personally, explained every step clearly -- system design, permitting, timelines, PTO with Edison, and realistic expectations. What immediately stood out was his no‑pressure approach. He didn't try to upsell or push me into anything. He simply gave me straightforward information, answered every question, and let me decide at my own pace. I felt confident enough to sign the contract within two days.
Before choosing them, I had gathered multiple quotes through a solar marketplace. Because it was a busy season due to the Federal rebate impending sunset on Dec 31st, 2025, most vendors were slow to respond as everyone was trying to rush to meet the Dec 31st deadline. Some installers had contract clauses I simply couldn't agree to. Johnny's pricing was not cheap but upfront and transparent. No hidden conditions, no questionable fine print, and no pressure tactics. Just a price backed by professionalism. And you get what you pay for. I am glad I chose them.
They began pulling permits the following week, and the project moved quickly. By mid‑November 2025, they had installed a 10.78 kW solar system with 20 kW of Enphase batteries. I chose Enphase microinverters, which allow me to monitor each panel individually through the Enphase app -- a huge advantage over systems that only show total production. The installation crew was super courteous, kind, efficient, and clearly knew what they were doing. They kept the worksite tidy throughout the job and made sure everything was spotless when they finished. I'll be adding pictures of the awesome team to this review and updating it with their names as well.
A big shoutout to Micole, who handled all the documentation and communication. She was consistently on top of every detail -- permits, inspections, utility paperwork -- and she responded promptly every time I had a question. Her organization and responsiveness made the entire process feel effortless.
Another major plus: Next Door Home Upgrades helped me secure a loan through one of their partner lenders, and the entire approval and setup process was smooth and hassle‑free. No delays, no surprises -- just straightforward financing that made the project even easier.
Once the system was installed, inspections were completed within a couple of weeks. Then came the part most installers hesitate to commit to: Permission to Operate (PTO) from Edison. Nearly every other company I spoke with told me they could not guarantee PTO by year‑end. Johnny didn't make unrealistic promises either, but he did explain that Simi Valley's building department is efficient and that Edison typically processes PTO quickly once everything is submitted.
He was right.
I received PTO on December 10, 2025, well ahead of my December 31st deadline -- giving me plenty of time to secure the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit without any stress.
The system has been performing flawlessly. Over the last six months, my electric bills -- which used to average $280-$300 per month -- have dropped to just $22.
I also want to highlight Enphase's customer service, which has been outstanding. They remotely checked my batteries to ensure optimal performance and even came onsite twice to fine‑tune the software, despite everything already showing perfect on the app. Their Enphase 10C batteries come with a 15‑year warranty, compared to the 10‑year warranties many competitors offer. And the level of monitoring access with Enphase -- including individual panel monitoring -- is something many other inverter systems simply cannot provide.
From start to finish, the experience was exceptional -- honest communication, excellent workmanship, realistic timelines, smooth financing, fair pricing, and a team that genuinely cares about doing things right. Johnny, Micole, and the entire crew (to update names soon) delivered exactly what homeowners hope for: a professional, reliable solar installation that delivers real results.
If you're considering solar or home energy upgrades in Simi Valley or nearby areas, I wholeheartedly recommend Next Door Home Upgrades. They exceeded every expectation read more