Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Spokane, WA
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Spokane
Also known as 'Lilac City,' Spokane is surrounded by natural beauty: mountains, mines, forests, rivers, and the largest urban waterfall in the country. Both locals and tourists can enjoy a wide array of outdoor recreation activities afforded by the city's natural resources, including biking, boating, fishing, hiking, and skiing. However, Spokane's cold and snowy winters make it necessary to find refuge to get warm and continue enjoying these thrills. Luckily, locals and visitors can count on over 550 HVACR technicians practicing in the city to ensure indoor conditions remain comfortable in any season.
These professionals are skilled at installing, repairing, upgrading, or maintaining heaters, heat pumps, furnaces, ventilation systems, ACs, and refrigeration units. However, before you hire any HVAC technician in the city, it is important to verify their specialization, license, insurance coverage, and the rate they quoted for the job. Considering these factors, among others, will help you pick the right person for the job.
As such, it is recommended that you ask the following questions when doing your due diligence:
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Spokane?
- Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Spokane?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Spokane?
- Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Spokane?
- What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Spokane?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Spokane?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Spokane HVAC Contractor?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Spokane?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Spokane?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Spokane?
All HVAC work in Spokane is regulated by the 2018 International Mechanical Code adopted in Chapters 51-52 of the Washington Administrative Code. Failure to comply with the requirements of this code can attract administrative fines and a stop work order. Therefore, it is best if the contractor you choose to work with is conversant with and willing to comply with the applicable codes for your project.
To be sure, always contact a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor when in need of 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 Spokane?
Before installing, servicing, and maintaining mechanical systems or equipment for heating and cooling indoor air in Spokane, you need to register as an HVAC specialty contractor with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The L&I is responsible for registering individuals with proper qualifications and experience. Interested persons must meet the following contractor registration requirements to be eligible for registration:
- Register your business with the Washington State Department of Revenue.
- Purchase a surety bond of $6,000.
- Purchase a general liability insurance policy of $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit.
Once these requirements are met, applicants can proceed with their application for registration by downloading, completing, and mailing an application for contractor registration form with notarized signatures to
Contractor RegistrationP.O. BOX 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
When planning to hire an HVAC contractor for your project, verifying the contractor's registration status is best. You can use the Washington Department of Labor and Industries' online verification portal to confirm if your HVAC contractor is registered. For more information regarding contractor registration requirements in Spokane, contact the Department of Labor & Industries via email or call (360) 902-5259.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Spokane?
HVAC contractors in Spokane typically charge between $26 and $130 per hour depending on the size of the project and other variables like the following:
- The nature and scope of the HVAC project
- The type, brand, and size of the HVAC system and equipment
- The labor intensity of the job
- The cost of pulling permits
- The cost of additional materials (like dehumidifiers and smart thermostats) and necessary renovations
- The building layout and location of the HVAC unit inside and outside the building
Before choosing the HVAC contractor you'll be working with, we recommend that you get and compare rates from multiple providers. This will help you identify and avoid dishonest individuals who inflate the cost of their services.
Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Spokane?
Before starting HVAC projects that involve installing, modifying, or removing HVAC equipment in Spokane, you must get a mechanical permit from the city's Department of Business and Development. Getting a permit typically guarantees that the project will be carried out per the applicable codes and city-wide regulations.
For more information about the mechanical permit procedure in Spokane, contact the city's Department of Business and Development via email or by visiting its location:
3rd Floor City Hall808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 625-6300
What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Spokane?
HVAC contractors in Spokane typically provide various services to city residents and business owners. Some of these services are listed below:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Spokane?
Although licensed and experienced HVAC contractors in Spokane can handle most of your projects independently, they may outsource part of a project to meet short deadlines and deliver quality services. Therefore, verifying if your preferred contractor will outsource part of your project to other HVAC contractors is another one of the steps to take before hiring a contractor.
If you confirm that your preferred contractor will outsource part of the project, we advise that you take the following steps:
- Confirm the HVAC subcontractors' license status.
- Confirm the insurance status of the subcontractors.
- Request for a lien to protect you in case the primary contractor fails to pay its subcontractors on time.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Spokane HVAC Contractor?
Every licensed HVAC contractor in Spokane must carry a contractor surety bond of $6,000. In addition, licensed HVAC contractors must also maintain general liability insurance of $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit. Hiring a bonded and insured contractor protects you from any financial liability in case of third-party bodily injury or property damage occurring when the HVAC contractor works on your HVAC system.
Therefore, before choosing an HVAC contractor to work with, always ask for proof of insurance and go further by contacting the relevant insurance company to verify the information provided.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Spokane?
In Spokane, many reputable HVAC contractors offer warranties that cover their services and the materials that will be used in carrying out a project. These warranties generally assure that clients will receive satisfactory services and only quality materials will be used for the work. Consider it a red flag if your prospective contractor refuses to offer warranties.
HVAC work-related warranties typically cover the contractor's work for one to two years, while the installed equipment and parts may be covered for up to eight years. Nonetheless, an HVAC-services warranty's duration may vary by contractor. Therefore, it is best to ask your contractor for a written copy of their warranty policies for you to review before any contract is signed.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Spokane?
You can file a complaint with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General regarding an HVAC technician's deceptive business practices or fraudulent activities in Spokane. You can do this online or by contacting this office at 1-800-551-4636 or (206) 464-6684. Alternatively, you can send a general consumer complaint form to the office's mailing address:
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
800 5th Avenue,
Suit 2000
Seattle, Washington 98104-3188
You can also report a bad HVAC technician in Spokane to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries by submitting an online complaint form.
Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Spokane?
- Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Spokane?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Spokane?
- Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Spokane?
- What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Spokane?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Spokane?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Spokane HVAC Contractor?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Spokane?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Spokane?