You should have asked for an all cash up front price from the contractor.
L
I asked the contractor for the all cash price. And I paid him all cash for supplies as he delivered them, then the labor costs upon job completion. The HELOC (plus some from savings) was how I had the cash on hand. But the bottom line is the stupid solar tax credit artificially drove up prices anyway because all contractors know buyers are willing to pay more if it means getting a tax refund. It’s like everything else government does to “help” us.