Consumer Tips
Learn How To Protect Yourself

It's your home and probably the largest investment you'll ever make. When you need home repairs, you want to hire the best contractor available. You want assurance that the contractor who repairs your plumbing, heating or cooling system is professional, trustworthy, and courteous. And you can have someone just like that.

But how do you find a contractor who fits this description? Sometimes it's difficult. Many "handymen" portray themselves as professionals, but they can compromise your safety and your home.

Choose a professional instead. We're the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC), the trade association for professional plumbing-heating-cooling (p-h-c) contracting firms and the consumer's source for information about the PHC industry.

Our members aren't just "handymen." They're business owners who employ professional mechanics and technicians. They are guided by honesty and integrity, use the latest technology, promote energy and water conservation, and obey all health and safety laws.

The next time you need to hire a firm to service or repair your plumbing, heating or cooling system, follow these tips:

• Look for the PHCC logo.
• Companies that use the PHCC logo are official members of PHCC. They proudly display the logo in yellow page advertising, newspaper advertising and other communication pieces. Hire companies that use the logo.
• Ask a lot of questions. You have the right as a consumer. Ask the contractor for his/her license number. Then check with your local consumer affairs department or building commission to confirm the license and to check the records of the contractor.
• How long has the contractor been in business? Does he or she do service and repair work "on the side?" Or, is it his or her primary business?
• Does the plumbing, heating or cooling contractor have proof of liability and workmen's compensation insurance? If not, you could be liable for any mishaps on your property, including injury to the technician.
• Get a list of customer references. Ask the contractor for the names of homeowners in your area he or she has worked with. Call these homeowners and ask their opinion of the contractor's work. Also, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the contractor.
• Check if your contractor has a license. Click here to go to the State Contractors License Board.