Don’t Let Unlicensed HVAC Contractors Mess Up Your Home

Although unlicensed HVAC contractors seem to work cheaper than licensed, insured, and licensed air conditioning companies, the long-term risks may not match the promise. The problems are simple but complex. When homeowners hire HVAC service work from questionable contractors, the typically final experience can end like this:

• Inferior workmanship resulting in poor equipment performance
• Incomplete or downright misleading troubleshooting reports
• Unreliable air conditioning services, including poor air conditioning installation
• Unexpected cost increases or low reliability of long-term HVAC equipment
• And more.

TILT! Before hiring A / C installation or A / C services in your home, ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Even licensed HVAC professionals can make a mistake. But consider the damage an uninsured electrical error can do to your home.

Dealing with untrained HVAC service technicians may seem like a deft way to save money upfront, but in no time, those preconceived pocket savings can turn into a massive financial nightmare. So-called air conditioning technicians who work outside the law also tend to ignore the installation and service regulations accepted by the HVAC industry. According to ACCA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Charlie McCrudden, these individuals “… take advantage of the lax enforcement of permitting rules, licensing requirements and the Clean Air Act.” Additionally, McCrudden says the government is currently unable to track or control the problem. Too many people, McCrudden says, “… pose as professional HVAC technicians.”

TILT! Get multiple offers before deciding which HVAC company will install or repair your heating and air conditioning equipment. Most homeowners know not to bet on the highest bid, but you should also be wary of the super-low parts.

Choose reputations over low priced unlicensed HVAC contractors

In the air conditioning industry, a good reputation is paramount for word of mouth advertising, and word of mouth advertising is the core of established customer trust. Modern A / C associations, along with reputable A / C installers, have had enough of the damage that unlicensed HVAC contractors are causing to the reputation of the industry. The proper license is an essential component of quality HVAC services.

According to “Hiring Licensed vs. Unlicensed Contractors” by the Yavapai County Contractors Association of Arizona (YCCA) of Prescott, owners are free to choose who they will hire: licensed or unlicensed. However, the YCCA prologue is simple: “Watch out!” In fact, YCCA CEO Sandy Griffis says contractor licenses do not ensure technical skills, proficiency, or even a measure of proficiency. “However,” Griffis continues, “… hiring an unlicensed contractor is certainly a danger.” Here are three main points to remember:

• No license may mean low offers, but the financial and legal consequences may be greater than you originally expected.

• Hiring a licensed air conditioning contractor provides better protection than any post-event legal recourse.

• Most licensed air conditioning contractors are competent, dedicated, financially responsible, and well trained.

• By practicing licensing and a well-developed regulatory system, the law of the land promotes individual safety and reliable construction practices.

For the legitimate rule-compliant Arizona air conditioning installation and service center, the battle against unlicensed low bidders means lost business opportunities and higher cost margins. For you, the homeowner caught in the aftermath, choosing an unlicensed air conditioning company can mean a risky venture in the interests of potential money savings. However, in recent years, the number of complaints filed with the Arizona Registry of Contractors has steadily increased. The cost of the scam affects legitimate contractors, society as a whole, and you.

Arizona residents can report unlicensed HVAC contractors through forms on the Arizona HVAC Contractors Registry website.

Unlicensed HVAC Contractors Miss the Mark

YCCA says that most homeowners could prevent construction problems simply by knowing their existing home improvement rights and then taking personal responsibility for the project. Informed consumers make better purchasing decisions. Working with reputable air conditioning contractors helps ensure that you don’t become the victim of unscrupulous or unlicensed HVAC contractors.

TILT! If you are installing a new HVAC unit in your home, don’t forget to check the condition of your existing ducts. Even the best of the best energy efficient air conditioners will waste energy in a home where the ducts need serious repairs.

Protect yourself. Avoid working with unlicensed craftsmen, so called. Don’t be fooled, calm down. Licensed HVAC contractors follow sound business practices, including:

• Paying taxes

• Buy and maintain annual insurance

• Conduct background checks on potential new hires

• Establish a linked practice

• And more.

To obtain a state HVAC license, the contractor must demonstrate experience and ability. The test is designed to eliminate shade tree heating and cooling service technicians. Building licenses may not be the ultimate solution to scams, but they can help you find a reliable and principled air conditioning contractor. In addition, the heating and cooling industry is evolving, moving beyond heating and cooling to the field of indoor air quality (IAQ). Expect the demand for skilled HVAC technicians to increase.