760-455-4978

December                                                                                                                         December 2015

Gary Gramling
CREIA Certified Inspector

FHA Certified Inspector

Changing Your HVAC Unit?

 Don’t Let Your Contractor Skip The Permit

If you are thinking about changing your heating or air conditioning unit this season, make sure that you use a state licensed contractor. The cost of doing this work is more than an unlicensed contractor can legally do. But, also make sure that your contractor takes out a permit from the local city or county Building Department. A recent sting operation by the State Contractors License Board revealed that a growing number of licensed contractors were violating state law by telling potential clients that no permit was necessary.

How does this affect the homeowner? Without the permit, the homeowner can be made to pay a penalty fee if the local jurisdiction finds out about the installation; you will almost certainly be disqualified from receiving any energy rebates that would be available; and, even more importantly, your homeowners’ insurance could be cancelled if the insurance company finds out about the unpermitted activity.