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What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in St. Petersburg?

When installing, maintaining, or improving your home or office's heating, ventilation, or cooling systems, one of the things to consider is whether your contractor is conversant with the applicable codes regulating HVAC work in the city. For example, all HVAC projects in St. Petersburg must comply with the 2020 Florida Mechanical Code requirements. So, it is best if your HVAC technician is familiar with and willing to adhere to this code.

In addition to considering if the individual you wish to hire is conversant with applicable codes, ensure they are licensed and experienced to handle your project. It is always best to contact a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor in St. Petersburg when you need the following services:

• AC installation, repair, and maintenance
• Furnace repair and tune-ups
• Testing safety controls
• Energy-efficient HVAC upgrades
• Duct cleaning and indoor air quality improvement
• Furnace installation and maintenance
• Furnace repair and tune-ups

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in St. Petersburg?

Anyone who wishes to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems as a service provider in St. Petersburg must possess an Air Conditioning contractor license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). There are two main Air Conditioning contractor licensing options that the Department offers:

• Registered Licenses: This license allows the holder to provide services only in Pinellas County. They must meet the licensing requirements of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board.
• Certified Licenses: This license allows the holder to provide services anywhere in Florida. Applicants for this license must pass a licensing exam administered by the state.

Hiring an unlicensed HVAC professional in St. Petersburg can attract up to $5,000 in fines. Therefore, it is always necessary to confirm your preferred HVAC professional's license status using the DBPR Verify a Licensee and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board's Find a Licensed Contractor platform.

You can direct your queries regarding the licensing process and requirements for HVAC professionals in St. Petersburg to the DBPR and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (850) 487-1395 and (727) 582-3100, respectively.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in St. Petersburg?

In St.Petersburg, expect to pay between $75 and $12,500 for HVAC services. However, the actual cost of these services may vary depending on various factors, which include the following:

• The nature and scope of the project
• The type, brand, and size of the HVAC system and equipment involved
• The building layout and the location of the HVAC unit inside and outside the building
• The cost of pulling permits, additional materials, and necessary renovations
• The urgency and complexity of the job

Nevertheless, before hiring an HVAC contractor in the city, you must ask multiple contractors for quotes to get a more accurate estimate. Doing so will also help you avoid getting ripped off by any fraudulent contractor trying to inflate their rates.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in St. Petersburg?

Except for projects included in the list of work exempted from permitting, you must get a mechanical permit from the St. Petersburg Construction Services and Permitting Division for your HVAC projects in the city.

Ensure that your HVAC contractor applies for and obtains the appropriate permits from the Division before working on your project. Applying for a mechanical permit involves downloading, filling, and mailing a permit application form to the following address:

You can contact the St. Petersburg Construction Services and Permitting Division at (727) 893-7231 or via email for more information or to direct inquiries about mechanical permits in St. Petersburg.

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in St. Petersburg?

Most St. Petersburg HVAC contractors provide an extensive range of electrical services, which include the following:

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in St.Petersburg?

Outsourcing tasks is one of the ways an HVAC contractor can increase efficiency and meet a project's deadline. However, if a contractor outsources tasks to other subcontractors without informing you, they expose you to any liability that may result from a disagreement between them and the subcontractors. Therefore, as a home or property owner, it is your responsibility to confirm if the contractor you hired will be outsourcing part of the project. If they will, we recommend you take the following steps:

• Ensure the subcontractors have the necessary licenses and experience to complete their tasks.
• Ensure that all of the subcontractors have the necessary insurance coverage.
• Request a lien waiver to protect you from liability if the primary HVAC contractor refuses to pay the subcontractors on time.

Taking these steps will protect you from liabilities or out-of-pocket expenses resulting from disagreements between your contractor and the subcontractors.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Petersburg HVAC Contractor?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires all licensed Air Conditioning contractors to maintain general liability insurance of $100,000 and property damage insurance of $25,000. In addition, Air Conditioning contractors must carry workers' compensation coverage or an exemption. Contractors who intend to obtain an exemption must do so within 30 days of becoming licensed.

As such, when choosing an HVAC technician, ensure they carry insurance coverage and confirm that the coverage is adequate for the work. For more information about the insurance requirements of licensed HVAC contractors in St. Petersburg, contact the DBPR at (850) 487-1395.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in St. Petersburg?

When choosing an HVAC contractor in St.Petersburg, it is best to ask if they will offer you warranties. Reputable HVAC contractors in the city provide warranties that assure satisfactory services and the use of high-quality materials. Therefore, consider it a red flag if the contractor you wish to hire refuses to offer you warranties.

Warranties for HVAC projects typically cover the contractor's work for two years and the installed equipment and parts for five to ten years. Nevertheless, it is best to ask your contractor about their duration.

We recommend you to request a written copy of any warranty policy and review it thoroughly. Ensure that you understand its terms and conditions before signing a contract.