Choose insulation and HVAC contractors
I have a builder who is not very familiar with using spray foam insulation or RFH, 2 things I think I want in my new home in Michigan. But he is open to learning new things and working with me on these items. Given his lack of experience in these areas (he isn’t a new builder, he has been building very nice homes for 20+ years), I can’t rely on him to get the best HVAC and insulation contractors for the type of work he doesn’t often employ in his jobs. (Builder owns the land where I wish to live, in answer to your inevitable question “why use this builder, then?”).
How does one go about finding, interviewing and choosing the right contractors?
I am new to the forum, so if there are links I should go to for this just say so and I won’t waste anyone’s time here.
Thanks!
Replies
Greetings west, and Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
Let's run this thru again.
bump
My BIL is in your situation too, builder owns the lot. Hopefully his builder is as good as yours.
When I was going to replace my furnace and ducting last year, I was in the same situation as you. How do you go about finding the right contractor for the job? You can't trust a customers opinion on these things, as I learned. I did enough research on various forums to know what to look for in a quality installation. Then I went through the standard bid process - but I gave each salesman a stipulation: Before I would sign a contract, I would need to see an actual example of their installation.
The first company I was prepared to go with (they were inexpensive, but they also used off brand furnaces which would have accounded for the price difference. Install is more important than equipment in HVAC) gave me the name of the salespersons sister, who had her furnace installed the year before. When I peaked into her attic, I saw that one of the ducts had popped off the plenum! I left her with a $20 bottle of wine and the suggestion to call her brothers crew back out to make the repair.
The next company, at only a few hundred dollars more, had a picture perfect installation. I went with them and was very happy with their quality.
You probably know what materials/equipment you want. You just need to find out HOW TO KNOW it is installed correctly, then SEE FOR YOURSELF if a possible sub does the work correctly.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
Thanks for the advice, Paul. I actually would not have though tto go to a job site to inspect work--like looking under the hood of a car--unless something is visibly falling off the system, I dont know that I could tell what's right and what's wrong. If the installation is shotty and I say yeah, looks good, go ahead and do mine too, I might set myself up for trouble!
I have however requested several references and have already called a couple of them who are very satisfied. They may have been cherry picked customers, but it is what it is.
You may not know what to look for, but someone does... probably someone here. Post here the things you are thinking about doing, and ask how you would know if it was done right. People in the know here will tell you what to look for.
You take that info to the subs in your area and compare their work to the details you should be looking for.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
I have done exactly that already--taken the info I got from this forum and interviewed 4 HVAC contractors. What I haven't found with regularity are HVAC and insulation contractors working very closely with each other. A couple of the HVAC guys said "well, I don't know that much about insulation, but..." and that's when I tuned out. Seems to me that insulation should be in the forefront of their entire plan, or how can they spec and engineer the system? Maybe my expectations were unrealistic.
I also realized that the plan of a home (for me, anyhow) should start with the discussion of minimizing use of resources, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, etc., THEN move to the architectural details. I had it bass ackwards having that discussion LAST. My builder's forte is making things pretty, not energy efficiency. I am teaching him as you all teach me. Now the project won't go forward until I have this part worked out to the last detail.
Since last week when I posted this originally, I have found a couple HVAC and insulation contractors who work together and speak the language I want to hear.
A sincere thanks to all of you for your input.
Sweeeet.
BTW, The bible for HVAC is called "Manual J" I believe, and it does take into account insulation properties... however, people so rarely deviate from the standard that some do not realize there are other valuse to be generated from the calculations.
There is a calculation program available for download, and a home user can get a 90 day license for it for about $50 ($350 for full version, I believe). Found it on HVACTalk.comRebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
I have not built for a couple of years but use to face your situation quite a lot as a contractor. I called supply houses and asked about who do the think were good subs in a particular field. If you have HVAC brands you consider better than others go to those companies web sites and see who are dealers in your area. As an aside a contractor friend is going to have his hip replaced. He called doctors and got their recommendations and then selected 3 and interviewed them before he chose the one to do the operation. This is exactly what you need to do. I would go to reputable builders job sites and look for the names on the furnaces. I would then check with supply houses and your preferred equipment manufacturer and get names. and interview them including have them show you jobs they are currently doing. Then pick 3 to give you a quote. This may seem like a hassle but you will learn a lot and be an informed purchaser. You will get what you want. You will live with your choice for a long time, a little time spent now will be soon forgotten. Good Luck Jay
You should also check out this site:
http://heatinghelp.com/
Those guys take pride in their work (like here) and there is a spot on the site where you can find a contractor in your area.