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What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Cleveland?

When it comes to maintaining, installing, or improving your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems in Cleveland, you should hire a professional and licensed HVAC contractor. Licensed HVAC contractors In Cleveland can provide you the best possible service, improving the comfort of your home and helping you save money on energy bills. This is because they ensure to follow the Ohio Building Code and other ventilation or indoor air quality standards.

Hence, you should always contact an experienced and licensed professional when you need a hand with any of the following HVAC services:

• Air duct cleaning and safety inspections
• Air-quality improvement services
• Upgrading existing HVAC systems to more energy-efficient models
• Designing and installing HVAC systems for existing and newly constructed buildings
• Installing, repairing, maintaining, and replacing air conditioners and fireplaces or furnaces

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Cleveland?

Even though HVAC contractors are not required to have a license before carrying out work on residential property, they must hold a valid state-issued license to legally offer heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration services on commercial buildings in Cleveland. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues these licenses. Anyone who performs HVAC-related work on a commercial building without a valid license is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on the first violation and a fourth-degree misdemeanor for subsequent violations, attracting several penalties.

HVAC contractors who wish to obtain a commercial HVAC license must meet specific eligibility requirements, including the following:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Provide proof of their status as a United States citizen or a legal alien
• Proof of at least five years of experience as an HVAC technician or three years of experience as a registered HVAC engineer
• Obtaining a BCI and FBI background check and sending the result to the OCILB
• Passing the HVAC licensing examination
• Completing a notarized Test Application Packet and paying all applicable fees
• Proof of contractor liability insurance
• Acquiring a federally-mandated certification at the Environmental Protection Agency for those who wish to work on equipment that contains refrigerants

The OCILB issues licenses to HVAC contractors who meet the abovementioned requirements. Regardless of the project's cost, to receive quality services, you should always hire a licensed contractor for any commercial HVAC work in Cleveland. So, before hiring an HVAC contractor for your commercial project in Cleveland, verify their licensing status using the OCILB's eLicense Center.

Please note that HVAC contractors who plan to pull permits for any commercial HVAC project in Cleveland must register their state-issued license with the city's Department of Building and Housing. You can confirm an HVAC contractor's registration status by contacting this department at (216) 664-2284.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Cleveland?

In Cleveland, heating and air conditioning services typically range from around $250 to $15,000. Nonetheless, the actual cost can vary depending on various factors:

• The costs of pulling permits
• The type and size of the HVAC system and equipment involved
• The project's scope, urgency, and labor intensity
• The building layout and location of the HVAC unit within the building
• Miscellaneous purchases like smart thermostats and other equipment-enhancing components

We recommend that you get and compare quotes from at least three HVAC contractors in Cleveland before you make your final hiring decision. Doing so lets you get a fair estimate of the project's overall cost and helps you avoid getting ripped off by fraudulent individuals.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Cleveland?

You will need to get a permit when planning a heating, ventilation, air conditioning/refrigeration project that involves installing, replacing, and maintaining systems like furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, ductwork, hydronic lines, or refrigeration. The Cleveland Department of Building and Housing issues these permits to homeowners or licensed HVAC contractors. Please note that you need to confirm if the HVAC contractor who will be pulling the permit for your commercial HVAC project has registered their state-issued license with the city's Department of Building and Housing.

You can get more information about permits for your HVAC project in Cleveland by contacting the city's Department of Building and Housing at (216) 664-3451, via email, or at their location:

Permits and Plan Examination
601 Lakeside Avenue
Room 505
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Cleveland?

A professional HVAC contractor in Cleveland can provide various services to ensure your equipment and systems work efficiently:

Be aware that many HVAC contractors in Cleveland charge a minimum service fee of around $80 to $240 and an hourly rate of approximately $100 to $190.

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Cleveland?

Although most HVAC contractors in Cleveland can handle projects on their own, they may have to work with other contractors on large-scale HVAC projects. Therefore, before signing any contract with your intended HVAC contractor, confirm if they will subcontract the work to third parties.

If your prospective contractor will be hiring third-party HVAC contractors for your project, we recommend that you take these steps:

• Make sure that all of the HVAC subcontractors are appropriately licensed and experienced.
• Confirm the HVAC subcontractors' insurance status.
• Ask for a lien waiver to protect you if the primary HVAC contractor fails to pay the subcontractors on time.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Cleveland HVAC Contractor?

Maintaining commercial general liability insurance is mandatory for Cleveland HVAC contractors, who must carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance and a $25,000 surety bond. In addition, they must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if applicable.

Consequently, before allowing a Cleveland HVAC contractor to work on your property, ensure they carry the required insurance and bond by asking them for proof. Contact the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) at (614) 644-3493 to learn more about HVAC contractors' insurance and bond obligations.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Cleveland?

When hiring a Cleveland HVAC contractor, you should always ask them if they offer warranties covering their services and the materials used in projects. Avoid hiring any HVAC contractor who hesitates or refuses to discuss warranties with you. These types of warranties typically cover the HVAC contractor's services for one to two years and the installed equipment and components for five to ten years.

Be aware that the HVAC contractor you decide to work with determines the terms and conditions of your warranties. So, you should request written copies of the warranties to ensure that you have a clear understanding of their terms and conditions.