More than 1.1 million lawsuits and complaints were filed against contractors last year alone…up 62%.
Protect yourself from faulty workmanship and contractor fraud. |
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| Complaints and lawsuits have risen 62% in the past three years and currently amount to more than 1.1 million each year. Everywhere you turn, you'll see stories on TV and in the papers about people who have been taken by dishonest and technically-inept contractors.
Refrigerator, Air Conditioning and Heating companies are not exempt from these complaints. Many attempts have been made to educate consumers on how to protect themselves and choose an HVAC company…but, the information is always surface level and does not give you any real insight as to the honesty or competency of a prospective HVAC company.
Because of this lack of tangible proof, we have created a strict Code of Ethics and Consumer Protection Policy which consists of 10 points a company should adhere to in proving they are capable of handling a job.
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10-Point Contractor's Compliance Checklist
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| Improperly installed equipment may not work efficiently and can cause leaks in your ceiling or walls, in addition to posing a fire hazard. The contractor you've called says they are qualified. But how do you know for sure?
You can protect yourself from significant loss by asking the right questions. Following is a checklist of questions you should ask every contractor who works on your system to ensure the job is done right the first time.
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| 1. Are you licensed? What is your license number? |
| Don't just ask, "Are you licensed?" or "What is your license number?" More importantly, ask, "Is the license issued in your name?"
Under Florida law, an individual can actually ‘rent’ a license from another contractor. Unless the license is issued to the individual standing before you, you have no guarantee that the person is knowledgeable or qualified to even touch your equipment.
Sepco Air, Inc.'s license number is CAC1814910.
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| 2. What kind of insurance do you have; what is your general liability & Worker’s Comp coverage? |
| There are two types of insurance you should inquire about. Liability insurance protects you against damage done by an improper installation. The State of Florida requires a minimum coverage of $100,000 in liability insurance. Worker’s Compensation protects you from the liability or medical bills in the event that an employee or worker gets hurt on your property. Companies with one or more employees are required by the State of Florida to maintain Worker’s Compensation.
Sepco Air, Inc. carries a minimum of two million dollars of insurance. A copy is available upon request.
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| 3. What kind of warranties cover this equipment? |
| Request a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. This should specify the length of time your unit is covered and what components are (are not) included. |
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| 4. Do you offer a warranty on labor? |
| Most dealer warranties cover only equipment parts. Any warranty for the labor is up to the individual contractor. A contractor should be confident in their ability to fix your problem right the first time.
Sepco Air, Inc. is so confident that we will fix your problem right the first time that we guarantee our labor for your repair job for one year. If we have to come back to fix the same problem, it won't be at your expense.
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| 5. Do you check the duct work? |
| When replacing an air conditioning unit, a contractor should first examine the existing duct work to ensure its size will accommodate new equipment and to check for leaks.
Sepco Air, Inc. inspects the duct work as part of its standard operating procedure.
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| 6. Do I need to get a permit? |
| Most counties in Central Florida require a permit for the installation of a new AC unit. Permits were created to protect you, the consumer. It ensures that the job is done correctly, in compliance with current city building codes and inspected by the appropriate agency. If your contractor does not secure a permit, you may be required to have the job done again — even if it was done properly the first time.
Sepco Air, Inc. always pulls and posts any required permits.
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| 7. What are your prices and terms? |
| The contractor should provide you with a written contract before performing the work. Make sure the quoted price includes the equipment, installation, all permits, and taxes. |
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| 8. Do you subcontract installations? |
| Many air conditioning companies have on-staff technicians to examine and repair existing cooling systems, but use subcontractors for new installations. Know exactly who you are working with.
Sepco Air, Inc. never subcontracts installations.
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| 9. Are you EPA-certified? Do you use a recovery unit to capture Freon when removing the old unit? |
| To legally handle refrigerants such as Freon, an air conditioning contractor must be EPA-certified and must use a recovery unit. Unfortunately, there are some technicians who do not comply with environmental laws and do not consistently use recovery units when releasing refrigerant from an old unit. Recapturing refrigerant is a time-consuming process, but it must be done anytime an old unit is disassembled. Releasing refrigerant without a recovery unit destroys the ozone and is a violation of federal law.
Sepco Air, Inc. is EPA-certified, follows all EPA regulations and uses a refrigeration-recovery system.
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| 10. Are you certified? |
| There are four levels of EPA certification. 1st Level is on the core information and basics of air conditioning; Type 1 (2nd level) covers small appliances; Type 2 covers high-pressure applications; and Type 3 covers low-pressure applications, which qualifies technicians to work on everything from window units to commercial refrigeration.
Qualified technicians are more likely to do the job right the first time.
Sepco Air, Inc. is qualified to service and install all commercial, industrial and residential refrigeration, air conditioning and heating systems. We have passed core exams that cover the fundamentals of math, customer relations, electricity, heat transfer and comfort, as well as specific exams regarding air distribution, air conditioning, heat pumps and gas heating.
We have amassed extensive knowledge and experience, earning the EPA’s highest level of certification.
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