[dave_slo]

Got a call today from a friend who works in the same field I do, heavy building maintenance. He's got it better though, nice school district job.
He's 608 uni. certified, works with HVAC all the time, owns his own recovery equip. etc.
He tells me he's thinking about buying and replacing his A/C system, and asks me if I would help. Now, he knows all the wholesale housees, so I doubt getting the equip would be a problem. I asked him if he thought about the warranty issues, and he basically said that with the money he would save, it might be worth taking a chance.
Now, I know this guy, He will pull all the city permits and get it inspected, plus he's more than capable of doing the work. The only real issue is that he doesn't have a contractor's license, but because he is acting as his own contractor on property he owns, its ok with AHJ.
I told him I wasn't sure it was a good idea, but other than the warranty, I couldn't give him any other reasons.
How about you guys? Do you see any problems with a tech. installing his own equipment?

 

[a\c don]

I'd be afraid of any tech that would not install a system in his/her own home.

However you might get a better response to your thread in the residential section.

Wall of shame is for pictures of bad, hacked installs etc.

 

[blu70devil]

I dont see any problems with it but I have never heard of a non contractor being able to pull permits. Can any homeowner pull a permit for any repairs he does on his own home where you live???

 

[acmedic]

Real techs would not have it any other way.

 

[dave_slo]

Thanks for the response, and I will post in residential, my mistake.
Oh, and yes, a homeowner can pull permits here in CA for their own property. Only condition is that you don't sell for I think its 6 months to a year. Some cities may have stricter rules, but not here.

 

[splitbolt]

My guess is that he's competent....just wants you to crawl into the tight places....need a few bucks?

 

[tinknocker service tech]

why would a real tech pay a contractor to do what the contractor is paying him to do anyway
he owns the house. no reason he shoudnt do it

 

[t527ed]

in nj homeowner can pull permits for just about anything.
as long as it is single family dwelling.

 

[dave_slo]

So what do you think will happen to any warranty? he's not a contractor, he's a government employee, (school district) Though he holds all the certifications a tech would who is working for a contractor.
He would be buying the equipment as an individual from the wholesale house, thus he would be like any other homeowner.
He knows there will be no labor warranty, He's not sure exactly how he would handle any parts issues, but is willing to take the risk.
I get to do the load and duct calcs (have the computer program), electrical, and help with the heavy lifting..., plus anything else that comes up.
We both have been helping each other in our home remodeling projects over the years, so I wasn't surprised by his call.
Looks like i am going to be busy in a few weeks... Now I have to come up with a project for him at my house...

 

[robertee]

I hope you hired a professional to do your home remodeling work.

 

[dave_slo]

I hope you hired a professional to do your home remodeling work.

For the stuff I need a proffesional for, yes. I even sometimes hire people to do work I am qualified to do, My time off is valuable too. There is more to life than work or working on the house...

 

[beenthere]

So what do you think will happen to any warranty? he's not a contractor, he's a government employee, (school district) Though he holds all the certifications a tech would who is working for a contractor.

Few manufacturers have it in their warranty papers that it must be installed by a contractor.

Some apartment complexes, buy and install their own units, and they are not contractors, and still get full warranty.

Its improper installation that will void warranty.

 

[duc dowg]

I dont see any problems with it but I have never heard of a non contractor being able to pull permits. Can any homeowner pull a permit for any repairs he does on his own home where you live???

yes and no you can do some stuff but some you cant i have a friend that just built a house pulled all himself subed it all out

 

[trane detroit]

Warranty

There are a lot of people in the industry.
I find my self and coworkers giving more tech support then ever. But that is not what we are talking about.Every one knows something different.

Warranty are offered through the manufacture when you buy the equipment ask about if you are interested in the extended warranty if you want them parts only are covered unless you are the manufacture installing or authorized manufacture repair center I would call our go on line and check about the warranties if you do buy a new unit get a copy of the warranty certificate.

Hope this helps a little
Thank you Ken