Residential HVAC systems are complex machines, and the level of skill required to work on them might seem high priced at times. Because of this, it can be tempting for some homeowners to try to curb these costs by hiring a repair person who might not have the necessary licensure.
And while this might seem like a good idea on the surface, we must caution homeowners that the type of work a lot of these repair people perform comes with a host of hidden costs.
Combine these hidden costs with the liability risks involved plus safety hazards and warranty problems and it becomes clear why we say homeowners should never hire an HVAC contractor that isn’t NATE certified.
In fact, to further explain the “Dangers of Hiring an Unlicensed HVAC Contractor,” our licensed experts here at Greater Dayton Furnace & Air Conditioning put together the following list:
Inferior Craftsmanship
Our technicians at Greater Dayton Furnace & Air Conditioning undergo extensive testing, training and hands-on skill assessments that go far above and beyond the minimum NATE-certification, which we also require. We keep these requirements in place to guarantee that our team members are providing our customers the absolute best, and using the “Best Practices” in the business.
Nevertheless, those homeowners who choose to hire an unlicensed contractor must take the individual on their word, which can run thin in this industry. More often than not, the repair people who lack NATE-certification have lower price rates because of their lack of experience, because their level of skill isn’t the best. In other words, you get what you pay for and shoddy craftsmanship is standard fare among these fly-by-night contractors. In the end, this costs the homeowner a lot more when problems arise. Because of this, it’s essential to always only hire a reputable company that’s NATE-certified. If there’s any question about whether the technician has this certification, ask to see proof. They should have no problem providing you with proof of their licensure and if they delay or change the subject, go with your instinct and find someone you can trust.
Liabilities
If a contractor is conducting HVAC work without a state license, chances are they aren’t paying for insurance either, as the two go hand in hand. Certified contractors, on the other hand, are far more likely to carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage at all times. At Greater Dayton Furnace & Air Conditioning, we guarantee all our technicians have the maximum insurance coverage.
This is important, because when an unlicensed technician works on your heating or cooling unit without insurance, you are liable for any accidents that happen on your property. If they end up having an accident and they sustain injuries while performing work on your system, it could end up costing you more than the original problem.
Voided Warranties
To add to the hidden costs and unseen risks that come with lack of experience and skill, hiring an contractor who isn’t licensed has another big drawback that some homeowners don’t realize until something goes awry. Because almost all the manufacturers of home heating and cooling equipment, as a rule, mandate that their customers only hire NATE-certified professionals to work on their systems, hiring someone who lacks this credential will make any and all equipment warranties null and void. Because of this, if anything goes wrong after the job is done, it means the customer is no longer covered by their warranty, which means they will be forced to pay out of pocket to fix it.
Safety Hazards
Ultimately, when it comes to any sort of heat generating equipment or cooling equipment powered by electricity, safety should come first. Realizing this, shoddy craftsmanship won’t merely affect your comfort and finances. It can also put you and your loved one’s safety in jeopardy. If electrical work is done on the system and the wiring isn’t done right, it can cause an electrical fire. If you have a gas furnace and second-rate technician messes anything up, there could be carbon monoxide released into the home, or the gas can cause a fire, both of which are serious.
Don’t risk it! Pay to have it done right!
If you need any sort of work performed on your home heating or cooling equipment and you’re looking for a company that’s licensed, insured and affordable, call the licensed and NATE-certified HVAC service technicians at Greater Dayton Furnace & Air Conditioning today.