Choosing the Right Contractor to Install Your Boiler
Choosing a good contractor to install a new boiler can be as important as the equipment you choose, because proper installation and maintenance is needed for the equipment to operate safely, reliably, and at maximum efficiency.
Most importantly, a gas boilers installation contractor MUST possess a plumbing license with Department of Buildings of City of New York. Please check with DOB their phone, name and address to make sure they are licensed.
A well-trained, up-to-date contractor will not try to discourage you from purchasing high-efficiency equipment. Less-qualified companies may not keep their employees current with the latest technology, and therefore they may discourage you from new and better designs.
A good estimator will base his or her proposal on a heat-load calculation. Many boilers are not properly sized for the homes they serve, because of improper sizing years ago and/or energy efficiency improvements to the building since the old equipment was installed. Better contractors will not use your existing equipment to size your new heating system.
- Using their heat-load calculations, good contractors should be able to estimate the annual operating costs (energy bills) for the equipment they are proposing for your home.
A good estimator should also ask about any heating problems you have had with your old equipment, and offer understandable explanations or solutions.
A good company will give you a written bid (or proposal) outlining the equipment to be installed, the work to be done, and the price, including labor costs.
- We suggest you get estimates from multiple contractors, but try not to let the lowest price be the main reason for selecting a contractor. Better contractors may charge more, but they probably offer greater value. Be skeptical of extremely low bids; those contractors may not be including all routine services and customary warranties, or they may be trying to unload outdated or unreliable equipment.·
Reliable contractors are professional. Their people are prompt and courteous. How a company treats you now reflects how they will treat you if there is a problem.
They should have an office or shop facility, and they should not be ashamed to have you visit them. An office or shop is an indication that the company has been in business and intends to remain in business
Confirm their competencies on the building department website. If your contract is not filing jobs properly then it should be a red flag. Also check how much of their work is plumbing related vs. heating related.
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bispi00.jsp