Hello, good afternoon. I am an Hvac tech and I had a quick question about doing jobs on the side and (or) getting contracts with a company for maintenance. Could you do that without a contractors license?
Without contractors license
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Frankelly12
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Hello, good afternoon. I am an Hvac tech and I had a quick question about doing jobs on the side and (or) getting contracts with a company for maintenance. Could you do that without a contractors license?
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Because your profile states you are a tech, I moved your thread to the “General Discussion” forum. The AOP Residential HVAC forum is where homeowners can ask non technical questions.
Please take note of this new location as the "Moved" icon in the other forum will only last a day.
Please take note of this new location as the "Moved" icon in the other forum will only last a day.
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Depends on the state you live in. I think most will allow you to work on "refrigeration" like coolers and freezers and stoves or grills or deep fryers etc ....without a special state license , but when it comes to HVAC you have to be qualified through the state exams
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Yeah, it's going to depend on which state you're in. Most states have some sort of licensing for HVAC, many also apply to refrigeration. But the rules are all different. EX: In Georgia, you need a license for HVAC, but not refrigeration. In Alabama, you need a license for both (and they are separate licenses), and an HVAC license is required even to change filters or do maintenance.
If you would like to share which state you're in, we might could better advise you.
If you would like to share which state you're in, we might could better advise you.
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In California it used to be okay to do service work without a contractors license, you just could not give a quote (a contract), you had to work by the hour and the work could not exceed $600. I think that limit has been raised to $900. You do need to get a city license from every city you are going to be working in, it is basically a handyman's license. Then, of course, you'd need to follow all of the Federal EPA regulations.
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I'm in Texas. Here you must have a contractors license for both AC & Refrigeration service or installation & employees need a Tech license in most cases. We do have a combination which is what I carry.
Now when I was still in business and if I found an employee doing side work, I'd fire them right then & there no matter how behind we were and I did once. I paid well and and had enough work a tech could work extra hours if they needed/wantedthe money
Now when I was still in business and if I found an employee doing side work, I'd fire them right then & there no matter how behind we were and I did once. I paid well and and had enough work a tech could work extra hours if they needed/wantedthe money
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Kinda funny you say this. I did one side job after I first got in the trade, it was for a friend of the owner, and as a courtesy recommended by the owner.
Then for the next 40+ years I refused ALL side work. Except for my immediate nieghbors where I live. And even that was only for simple fast repairs or to just give the diagnoses so they wouldn't get ripped off by a mis-diagnoses.
Then for the next 40+ years I refused ALL side work. Except for my immediate nieghbors where I live. And even that was only for simple fast repairs or to just give the diagnoses so they wouldn't get ripped off by a mis-diagnoses.
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Technically you need State and local licenses, insurance, etc to legally do HVAC work. You can't pull a permit anywhere without all that. If you're going to go get all those licenses and such you may as well start your own company.
The point of side work is the homeowner gets a lower price because you're not paying all these fees and costs. Side jobbers don't pull permits or get inspections. The only way the city finds out is if you leave the old stuff on the curb or someone dimes you out. The risk in this is that if there's a major problem you are probably going to be personally liable.
The point of side work is the homeowner gets a lower price because you're not paying all these fees and costs. Side jobbers don't pull permits or get inspections. The only way the city finds out is if you leave the old stuff on the curb or someone dimes you out. The risk in this is that if there's a major problem you are probably going to be personally liable.
I've been doing HVAC side jobs for a couple of years now. Technically, it depends on your state laws, but many places require a contractor's license for any work beyond minor repairs or maintenance. I'd recommend getting your license if you're planning to take on larger projects or want to avoid potential legal issues. It also boosts your credibility with clients!
Thansin, Here in Florida anyone who wants to start their own Plumbing business can do so by being "Qualified" by a Licensed Contractor.
Personal Qualifier comments can only be made in the Pro General Forum.
Personal Qualifier comments can only be made in the Pro General Forum.
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I removed your email address. Site policy is that your address belongs in your profile. It can be accessed there by other members.
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Not so fast. Your second sentence is specious, since there is no such thing as an HVAC contractor license in Illinois, and none at the city or county level either. A lot of HVAC dealers like to add licensing wording to their site to discourage DIY, but there is no such requirement by the state.
Reflecting the OPs post, The STATE requires nothing. A very few cities may request a contractor license in order to get a permit, but when rarely required, will waive it in most cases and certainly for the homeowner.
It is easy to get confused, and it is truly odd, since this is one state where Union representation is high, Flex is rare and things like Electrical in conduit, is the mandate in many counties. But no HVAC nor Gas License is required. Guess that makes THIS the Freedom State ;-)
Reflecting the OPs post, The STATE requires nothing. A very few cities may request a contractor license in order to get a permit, but when rarely required, will waive it in most cases and certainly for the homeowner.
It is easy to get confused, and it is truly odd, since this is one state where Union representation is high, Flex is rare and things like Electrical in conduit, is the mandate in many counties. But no HVAC nor Gas License is required. Guess that makes THIS the Freedom State ;-)
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"Not so fast. Your second sentence is specious, since there is no such thing as an HVAC contractor license in Illinois, and none at the city or county level either. A lot of HVAC dealers like to add licensing wording to their site to discourage DIY, but there is no such requirement by the state.
Reflecting the OPs post, The STATE requires nothing. A very few cities may request a contractor license in order to get a permit, but when rarely required, will waive it in most cases and certainly for the homeowner.
It is easy to get confused, and it is truly odd, since this is one state where Union representation is high, Flex is rare and things like Electrical in conduit, is the mandate in many counties. But no HVAC nor Gas License is required. Guess that makes THIS the Freedom State ;-)"
Copyright © 2024 HVACCertification.Org. All rights reserved.
HVACCertification.Org
Assumed they knew more about it that average tech
Reflecting the OPs post, The STATE requires nothing. A very few cities may request a contractor license in order to get a permit, but when rarely required, will waive it in most cases and certainly for the homeowner.
It is easy to get confused, and it is truly odd, since this is one state where Union representation is high, Flex is rare and things like Electrical in conduit, is the mandate in many counties. But no HVAC nor Gas License is required. Guess that makes THIS the Freedom State ;-)"
Copyright © 2024 HVACCertification.Org. All rights reserved.
HVACCertification.Org
Assumed they knew more about it that average tech
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