PLEASE research your contractor before you hire!

Building PermitI am going to go on a little rant here as an advocate for my customers …

I am tired of seeing people being taken advantage of in my industry. I have been in the natural gas plumbing and pipeline industry in Phoenix, Arizona for the last 7 years. My background is owning/operating businesses and working with customers and employees.

I have been able to build a successful natural gas installation business on a few basic principles that pretty much sums up to do the job right and safe the first time, for a fair price and treat our customers and employees with respect.

I am passionate about giving the customer what they need and what they paid for.

Research your gas contractor!

The problem that we are seeing more and more in our industry is on the residential installation of natural and propane gas line. We are seeing an increase in our business for the need to reinstall and replace gas lines that have not been installed per code, without permits, with subpar materials and plain and simple that creates hazardous unsafe situations by unlicensed or unqualified contractors.

This is not right on two main levels:

  1. the sheer magnitude of the potential hazards and unsafe situations associated with subpar work, and
  2. customers should have the job done right the first time and not have to pay twice to get the work done correctly.

We have all seen the outcome in the news of the events that can happen associated with natural gas leaks or subpar work. RP Gas Piping has had invoices to customers ranging from $500 to $10,000 to fix and reinstall gas lines that an unlicensed or unqualified contractor has previously installed.

This article is not written in an effort to get business …

This article seeks to educate you before you go with the guy that says “yeah I can install that gas line” or the lowest possible bid you can get to install your gas line.

Tips for hiring a gas contractor

I recommend you hire a professionally trained and licensed contractor. They’ll ensure everything is installed safely and to code, and even help you choose the equipment that’s right for your needs.

Before you engage a contractor:

CHECK credentials of the company or the person.

Not only do natural gas line contractors need to be licensed by the Registrar of Contractors with a plumbing or specialty gas piping license they also have to be certified and trained in the type of material they are installing at your property.

Employ a Specialist

Gas is one of the best options for households, but it’s also one of the most dangerous to work with. Having the system installed and maintained by a professional is important. It also helps if natural gas line installations are the majority of the type of work the business does and not a “Jack of all Trades” type of business.

Check Permits

Before the work starts, make sure the contractor gets a permit.

Do Your Homework

Ask questions and do your homework before you make your decision to hire a contractor. The long-term gain is worth the minimal extra effort it will take to research a company or person before you hire them to work on your property.

 

Best Regards

Brad Fry
RP Gas Piping
Owner