Home heating and cooling systems are complex machines, and the level of skill required to work on them can come sometimes with what might seem to be a high price tag.
Because of this, it’s not outside of the normal realm for a homeowner to consider trying to curb these costs and save money by hiring an unlicensed repair person that might charge a lot less.
And while this might seem like a sound idea on the surface, we must remind homeowners that the type of work a lot of these people perform comes with its own costs, as there’s a hidden price tag on all substandard work when skilled labor is required.
Combine these hidden costs and risks with the liability risks, safety hazards and voided warranties that come as a result and it becomes crystal clear why the experts say you shouldn’t do business with an HVAC contractor that isn’t state certified.
To better illustrate the “Dangers of Hiring an Unlicensed HVAC Contractor,” our licensed experts here at Lancaster Furnace & Air Conditioning put together the following list:
Inferior Craftsmanship
Our technicians at Lancaster Furnace & Air Conditioning undergo extensive testing, training and hands-on skill assessments that go above and beyond the standard NATE-certification we require. We keep these requirements in place to guarantee that our team members are using the “Best Practices” in the business.
However, homeowners who hire an unlicensed contractor are forced to go off the individual’s word, which can run thin in this line of work. Usually, the people who lack NATE-certification have lower price rates because of their lack of experience. In other words, their level of skill isn’t the best. Often, this costs a lot more later on with other problems or outright system failure. As such, hiring a reputable company that’s NATE-certified is the best way to avoid these types of risks.
Liabilities
If an individual is performing HVAC work without their license, it’s not uncommon for them to have not taken the time to get insurance either. Certified contractors are more likely to consistently carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage. At Lancaster Furnace & Air Conditioning, we ensure 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 anything that might happen. If they have an accident, and sustain injuries during the job, it could end up costing you a lot more than the original problem.
Voided Warranties
On top of the risks and hidden costs that come with lack of experience and skill, hiring an unlicensed contractor has another risk that some people don’t find out about until something goes wrong. Because almost all the manufacturers of HVAC equipment, as a rule, require their customers to hire only NATE-certified professionals perform the work on their systems, having someone who lacks that licensure makes any and all equipment warranties null and void. As such, if something goes wrong, it means the customer is no longer covered by the warranty they got from their manufacturer, in which case they’ll have to pay out of pocket to fix it.
Safety Hazards
Last but certainly not least, substandard workmanship won’t merely affect your comfort and finances. It can also put you and your loved one’s safety at risk. If electrical work is done in the process and the wiring isn’t performed correctly, it can cause an electrical fire. If you have a gas furnace and second-rate work is performed on it at any time, a gas leak could cause carbon monoxide to leak or cause a fire, both of which can cause serious injury and death.
Don’t risk it! Pay to have it done right!
If you need help with any type of HVAC work and you’re looking for a company that’s licensed, insured and affordable, call the licensed and NATE-certified HVAC service technicians at Lancaster Furnace & Air Conditioning today at (740) 625-2320 or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
