Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Choose a topic and open your question. Find answers about Tesla, Sigenergy, net metering, earth rods, construction power and inspections. Consumer prices include VAT.

Some linked service pages and official documents are available in Dutch.

General

Can I pay with Tikkie?

Yes. Request a payment link through our Tikkie page or email administratie@smaling.net. Payment is handled by Tikkie from ABN AMRO. Our payment status page only confirms payment after the status has been checked with Tikkie.

Do you work outside the region?

Our standard service area is Arnhem, Rheden, Velp, Dieren and nearby towns. For larger projects, we may also work across Gelderland, Overijssel and Flevoland by arrangement.

Do you provide inspection reports with photos?

Yes. Our reports include findings, priorities and recommendations, with photos where relevant. We agree the inspection and reporting scope in advance. Wiring schematics and a circuit schedule are available on request.

What is the lead time?

Scheduling depends on the work, required materials and current availability. We agree the date and any project stages in advance. Contact us directly for an urgent fault; urgent service is by arrangement and depends on availability.

How do warranty and liability work?

Warranty and liability follow our Terms & Conditions and any manufacturer warranties. We confirm scope in the quote and report.

Do you work evenings or weekends?

Yes, by arrangement. Work outside regular hours may include a surcharge, especially for urgent requests. We confirm this upfront in the quote.

What is your response time for faults or urgent issues?

Contact us directly for an urgent fault. Response time depends on your location, the work and current availability. We discuss the options with you. If there is smoke, fire or immediate danger, move to safety and call 112.

Can I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Yes, please let us know as early as possible. Depending on timing and preparation, costs may apply under the Terms.

What about seals and the DSO (Liander/Stedin/Enexis)?

DSO seals may only be removed with permission. An authorized installer with seal rights may open and reseal within the permitted scope, for example to work safely on the consumer unit. This is not general authorization to work on or before the meter. New connections, connection upgrades and defective main-fuse replacement remain DSO work. We coordinate preparation and planning.

Can you prepare the cabinet for EV charging and solar?

Yes. We can prepare extra circuits, isolators, SPDs and spare conduits so future additions are faster and cheaper. This is outside standard packages and treated as variation.

How does final inspection and handover work?

After installation we perform tests (RCD trip, insulation resistance, earth resistance) and deliver an inspection report. If grid power is not yet available, we schedule a return visit after DSO energises the meter.

Home batteries & net metering

Which home batteries do you install?

We work with two options: Tesla Powerwall 3P and Sigenergy SigenStor. Smaling Service provides personal advice, delivery and installation in Arnhem, Rheden, Velp and nearby towns. Together we select a configuration that suits your solar system, electricity use and requirements.

What is SigenStor with a Home Energy Gateway?

SigenStor is the modular energy system from Sigenergy. Storage capacity depends on the selected battery modules; the mySigen app provides energy information. With a suitable Home Energy Gateway and correctly designed installation, the system can supply selected circuits or the home during a grid outage, within the available system power.

Can SigenStor work off-grid?

With a suitable Home Energy Gateway and configuration, SigenStor can operate in island mode during a grid outage. Available power and duration depend on the configuration, battery charge, demand and available solar energy. Long-term operation without a grid connection needs a separate design and sufficient energy sources. Backup power or a battery does not automatically provide zero export.

What does SigenStor with Home Energy Gateway and installation cost?

Price on request. You receive a personal quote. The number of battery modules, Energy Controller, suitable Home Energy Gateway, cable routes, consumer unit changes and selected backup configuration determine the price.

When does net metering end and what changes?

The Dutch net metering scheme ends on 1 January 2027. You can no longer offset electricity exported to the grid against electricity you buy. You will still receive payment for exported electricity. A suitable home battery can store some of your solar energy for later use.

Which Tesla Powerwall do you offer?

Tesla offers Powerwall 3P in the Netherlands: a home battery for a three-phase 230/400 V supply with 13.5 kWh of usable energy capacity. Smaling Service advises on the configuration and provides delivery and installation in Arnhem, Rheden, Velp and nearby towns.

What does Powerwall including installation cost?

Price on request. You receive a personal quote for Powerwall, the required components and installation. Placement, the cable route, backup requirements and any consumer unit changes determine the total price.

How much can I save with a home battery?

Savings depend on solar generation, electricity use, the installation and your energy contract, including tariffs, export payments and export charges. Battery losses and the investment also matter. We review your circumstances without promising a fixed saving or payback period.

Does Powerwall automatically provide backup power?

No. Backup requires a suitable installation with Backup Gateway 2 and an appropriate configuration. We assess which appliances or circuits can be supported. Duration depends on the battery charge, demand and any solar generation. A system without a backup configuration does not supply backup power during a grid outage.

Can I limit grid export or use zero export?

We assess whether your installation supports export limitation or zero export. This requires a compatible inverter, suitable metering and control, and appropriate settings. A battery does not automatically stop exports: when it is full, solar generation may need to be curtailed.

Can Powerwall work with my existing solar panels?

A combination is often possible. We assess your panels, inverter, grid supply, consumer unit and installation space before advising on the connection and settings. At handover, we explain the system and Tesla app.

What warranty applies to Powerwall?

Tesla provides a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty under its European warranty terms. Registration and a reliable internet connection are required for the full warranty period. The terms cover uses, capacity retention and exclusions. Your statutory rights also continue to apply.

Sources: Rijksoverheid · Tesla Powerwall 3P · Tesla warranty · Sigenergy SigenStor · Home Energy Gateway

Request your no-obligation home battery quote

Earthing and construction power

Does every home or construction cabinet need a new earth rod?

Not automatically. We first assess the existing earthing, earthing system and protective devices. If a separate or additional earth electrode is needed, we install and connect it and carry out suitable measurements.

How deep should an earth rod be installed?

This depends on the soil, installation and measurement results. One fixed depth or universal resistance value does not guarantee suitability for every situation. We assess earth resistance alongside the earthing system and protective devices.

What is the difference between a temporary meter cabinet and a distribution cabinet?

A temporary meter cabinet is used for the temporary grid connection and the grid operator's meter. A construction distribution cabinet distributes electricity from a suitable supply to tools and other equipment. We assess the cabinet, connection, protection and earthing needed for your site.

Which costs are involved in temporary construction power?

Allow for the cabinet and any hire period, transport, cables, connection, earthing and checks. Grid operator fees and electricity consumption may also apply. Supplier examples on our construction power page are indications rather than fixed Smaling Service hire rates. We quote for our work in advance.

Can a connected temporary meter cabinet be moved?

A temporary meter cabinet must not be moved while connected to the grid. Coordinate relocation with the grid operator and installer in advance. We can prepare and check the temporary installation.

Rates, down payment, urgent service & variations

What are your hourly rates?

On request for regular work. Materials are billed separately or included in package pricing.

What does a consumer unit replacement cost?

Fixed packages including materials and installation: single-phase 6 circuits from €786,50 incl. VAT, 8 circuits €847,00 incl. VAT, 12 circuits €968,00 incl. VAT. Three-phase 9 circuits €1.028,50 incl. VAT. Indicative; conditions/site specifics may vary.

What does an electrical safety check or NEN 1010 report cost?

Basic safety check/advice: from €199,65 incl. VAT. NEN 1010 handover check with report: from €332,75 incl. VAT. Extended inspection with measurement report: from €417,45 incl. VAT.

What does earthing measurement or earth rod installation cost?

Earthing measurement/check starts at from €114,95 incl. VAT. Earth rod installation + measurement starts at from €356,95 incl. VAT. The earth rod price includes measurement, which is not automatically charged again. Soil, depth, access and measurement results determine the final quote.

Can I send photos for a price indication?

Yes. Send clear photos of the consumer unit, connection, fault or work area through WhatsApp. This helps us assess whether you need fault finding, an extra circuit, earthing, an inspection or consumer unit work.

When does a down payment apply?

For business assignments, a 20% payment before work starts generally applies unless agreed otherwise in writing. Consumers may only be asked for a reasonable payment that was clearly agreed in advance, for example for planning, custom work or reserved materials. The quote and our Terms are leading.

What is urgent service and what surcharge applies?

Urgent service gives your job priority. For urgent requests we may ask for an urgent deposit; the current amount is shown on the urgent service page and is deducted from the final invoice.

What counts as variations and how are they billed?

Any work not included in the quote (extra chasing/cutting/digging, extra conduits, unforeseen changes) is performed only after agreement and billed separately (materials + hourly rate).

What payment terms and VAT apply?

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, business customers generally have a 7-day payment term and consumers a 14-day term. Any down payment is stated in the quote in advance. Consumer prices are shown including VAT; business amounts may be shown excluding VAT. See our Terms.

Price examples are indicative and include VAT. Any amounts excluding VAT are shown as additional information. Subject to change and typographical errors. Mandatory consumer rights apply where relevant.

Inspections, standards and solar panels

Which edition of NEN 1010 is current?

The current published edition is NEN 1010:2020+C1:2024. It covers electrical installation construction, alterations and extensions, and verification at handover. Applicable project requirements also depend on the building situation. A new edition does not automatically mean an existing installation must be completely replaced.

Does my installation need an annual NEN 3140 inspection?

There is no annual NEN 3140 inspection requirement for every home. The standard concerns safe operation and working on electrical installations and work equipment. When applied, the person responsible for the installation sets inspection intervals based on use and risks. Visual checks default to yearly if no other interval has been specified. Insurance terms may also matter.

Do solar panels or BIPV need a structural calculation?

The suitability of the roof or facade structure must be assessed. NEN 7250:2021 covers building aspects of solar energy systems, both building integrated and separately mounted on roofs or facades. It does not replace an assessment of load bearing capacity. Depending on the project, structural calculations are needed for weight, fixings and wind and snow loads. We discuss the required assessments in advance.

Sources: NEN 1010 · NEN 3140 · NEN 7250

Meter cabinet guidelines (Liander)

What are the minimum meter room dimensions?

The linked Liander PDF covers new low-rise housing with a gas connection: minimum 240 × 77 × 35 cm (H × W × D), with a lockable door opening of at least 70 × 205 cm. Check the relevant current cabinet sheets for other connections or building situations.

What about the door and ventilation?

Within this Liander PDF’s scope: two grilles, each with at least 200 cm² free opening, 20 cm from the top and bottom. The room must be frost-free. A 50 cm minimum distance from radiators is recommended, not a rejection criterion.

How should the walls/backboard be finished?

Use 18 mm plywood or fibreboard so meters and pipes can be fixed securely. Avoid running pipes behind the backboard.

Which entry conduits and bend radii apply?

Electricity: conduit Ø50 mm, minimum bend radius 500 mm. Gas: Ø63 mm, minimum bend radius 500 mm. Enter from the same side via floor openings/prefab plate.

Where to place the floor openings or prefab plate?

Openings (or a KOMO prefab plate) per NEN 2768. Prefer the left openings; use the right electric opening only if the cabinet is close to the facade. All DSO entries on one side.

What if the cabinet does not meet guidelines?

The DSO may refuse work if the cabinet does not comply. After rectification, you can reschedule. Tip: have an accredited installer check beforehand.

Where is the official Liander PDF?

Always use the current version. Download the PDF via Liander meter cabinet guidelines (PDF).

Check the current Liander guidelines for your connection and building situation. The linked PDF covers new low-rise housing with a gas connection.

Contact

Not seeing your question? Get in touch — we’re happy to help.

administratie@smaling.net Invoices and payments.
offertes@smaling.net Quotes and scheduling.
keuringen@smaling.net Inspections and reports.
info@smaling.net General enquiries.

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