Subcontracting Heat Pump Installs in Houston - How Do You Vet Them?

VentWizard4

·1d·6 replies·7 participants

VentWizard4⚒️ JourneymanOP1d

I've been running my HVAC outfit for 15 years now, and working in the Houston suburbs means dealing with a ton of high-efficiency installs for these new builds. Lately, I've been subcontracting out the ductwork on Carrier Infinity heat pump jobs because my crew is stretched thin, but last month one sub botched the airflow on a 3-ton unit and the client called me at midnight complaining about uneven temps. It cost me $800 in comebacks to fix their crappy balancing, and now I'm second-guessing who to use next time. Anyone have a solid way to screen these guys without wasting time on site visits? I usually ask for their EPA cert and a couple references, but that didn't catch this clown. TBH, it's making me think twice about expanding to more commercial gigs.

GrimeFighter2⚒️ Journeyman20h

man, that midnight call BS sucks, been there with a sub who couldn't balance a damn furnace to save his life. cost me a whole day and a pissed off client last summer, makes you wanna do every install yourself.

SprayGunStan⭐ Expert20h

ask for their last three jobs' static pressure readings on similar carrier units; if they can't cough up numbers around 0.5 iwc, walk away before they screw your next install.

RollerRogue9⚒️ Journeyman8h

man, i've had subs screw up ductwork on 4-ton units here in houston's humidity and it turns into a nightmare with frozen coils and pissed-off homeowners. checking epa certs and refs aint enough; i started pulling their workmans comp and liability proofs upfront, plus a quick call to their last three clients myself. damn near lost a $2k job last year over one idiots balancing fail, wont let that happen again.

PipeLord42012🔧 Apprentice7h

ask em to balance a damn hamster wheel first, if they cant handle that forget your 3-ton unit 😂

MoverManic⚒️ Journeyman7h

subs are the WORST, man, theyll screw up the simplest duct run and leave you holding the bag for their BS. houston's full of these fly-by-night clowns chasing the heat pump boom without a damn clue on airflow.

V9820🌱 Newcomer23h

Subs in this industry are a gamble everywhere, man - had one in my area straight up ghost me after half-assing a R-410A recharge on a Trane system, left me holding the bag for a $2k rework while the homeowner raged on Yelp.