So it's either you pay what the man wants, or (something that I want for cheap doesn't happen) FIFY
Pretty much the truth for almost anything.
On top of that, many HVAC companies have quite small service areas, meaning there are often only 2, maybe 3 potential options in a given area.
Outside of Podunk, USA, this is BS. Yes, there are some companies, not limited to HVAC, with a specific service radius, but in my experience, damn near any company will go damn near anywhere if the customer will pay the trip charge. Much like auto repair shops, there are literally hundreds of choices within a 20 mile radius in my area.
Then on top of that, for whatever reason many states have their own HVAC licensing laws, meaning someone in one state over who might actually be closer and offer better rates is not legally allowed to service.
Sounds like a problem created by your AHJ. Maybe start there?
Someone, at some point, must have felt that the public was better off with licensing requirements? Or, is it all just a municipal money grab? You tell me.
Many states/AHJs also have restrictions preventing home owners from performing their own plumbing installs. In many areas, even something as simple as an electric water heater change out legally requires a licensed plumber to do it.
I am not a licensed plumber, but as I understand it, almost any work performed to a domestic water system requires the use of a licensed plumber per code. One exception would be a faucet replacement (assuming that the stop valves are functional); and this may change based upon location. It is legal where I am located.
Almost every municipality in my area requires a permit to replace a water heater, yet the same municipality does not inspect the installation. Most have online permit application and payment for water heaters. Interest in Public Safety, or a Money Grab?
Maybe you need to petition the folks that wrote up the plumbing code?
I would not be surprised if there are jurisdictions that would require the use of a licensed electrician when replacing that electric water heater.
I have seen plenty of gas water heaters, installed by plumbers and homeowners, that are not properly vented, so there's that. Maybe require a licensed HVAC person to install the flue pipe?
Technically, almost every municipality in my area requires the person doing work for a fee (AKA a contractor) is supposed to be registered with that municipality. There is a fee and surety bond involved with this. Almost any project performed requires a permit. If the specific task isn't covered, many municipalities will require a permit for a contract value of or exceeding $***.00.
Yes, the homeowner can self-apply for the permit, but if that permit is pulled for a contractor by the homeowner (homeowner is not doing the work), there can be issues, up to and including a stop work order.
It is not a "free capitalist" market in any sense.
Bull.
Those things are not even remotely comparable, and you know it. With a phone, I have near infinite choices to shop from. I can buy a phone from anyone, anywhere - even out of the country. I don't need a licensed phone tech to set it up for me, and I certainly won't freeze to death if my phone breaks. Additionally, a phone is a singular complete device, much like a boiler, or a minisplit is.
There are almost innumerable sources for the HVAC parts that you are looking for online. Most will come with installation instructions.
No longer an excuse. Hasn't been an excuse for at least 15 years.
Still waiting for you to publish your ideal list of materials and time required for the ideal boiler install.
If I owned a company, and contracted out to an IT solutions firm to provide phones for my company's employees, you can absolutely bet I'd be requesting a detailed itemized list of device cost, support labor rates, and more. I would want to know exactly what I'm getting, and what I'm paying for.
To continue, you would also be providing a list of services/support/things to be provided to the people you are soliciting bids from. AKA plans and specs. Then bid comparison would be apples to apples. Expecting the individual companies to provide specifics without a provided set of plans/specs, outside of typical industry boilerplate, well before the job is awarded... um, nope.
Complete opposite of the typical homeowner job.
If a homeowner tells me that "I want to know exactly what I am getting", before the job is awarded, then I will tell that person to generate a set of plans and specs for the job. I will not provide
detailed/specific/granular information for that person to shop bids or find somewhere online where the part is a little cheaper. Life is too short to deal with those people, and there is no money in it because the price is always too much. Just like right here, right now. Not even accounting for the homeowners that have no concept of the project that they want completed, but always want to compare the number on the napkin. Yes, enough information needs to be exchanged to flesh out the project, but I am in no way providing a materials list first.
The same goes for a car. The car is a complete machine. But If I bring my car to the shop, I sure as hell want to know what parts they put in it, and how long it's going to take to do the job.
There are laws covering automotive repair, at least in Illinois. Those items you mention would be on the written estimate. And the estimate requires approval before work begins.
Maybe start with your AHJ and get the same type of laws passed for evil HVAC repair... oh, but then one might be required to use a licensed professional, that is also registered with the municipality. There are some States that have this requirement. Texas is one. Slippery slope...
Once again, you're arguing the strawman. I never said every other trade is perfect. You're trying to deflect.
And yet the statement that generated this response seems to be true.
