Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Tulsa, OK
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa
Once the "oil capital of the world," Tulsa still attracts people from every walk of life with its rich musical heritage, beautiful parks, outdoor spaces, extensive Art Deco architecture, and bike-friendly city plan. However, the city's hot and muggy summers make proper functioning heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) units necessary for residents to create a comfortable living or working environment for their homes and businesses.
Luckily, there are over 1,600 qualified HVACR technicians in Tulsa ready to help with any cooling or heating need and can handle the installation, repair, upgrade, and maintenance of ACs, ventilation units, refrigeration systems, ducts, heaters, furnaces, and heat pumps. HVAC contractors in Tulsa must hold a validstate-issued license to operate in the city. Therefore, verify the status of your prospective HVAC contractor's license and also their insurance coverage, and the rate they quoted for the job.
As such, to ensure you pick the best person for the project, it is wise to ask the following questions to your prospective contractor:
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
- Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?
- Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Tulsa?
- What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Tulsa?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Tulsa?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tulsa HVAC Contractor?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Tulsa?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
It is essential to entrust the installation, repair, and maintenance of heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems in Tulsa to licensed and skilled HVAC contractors. These professionals typically have a comprehensive understanding of relevant local and international codes and standards that regulate the use of HVAC systems in Tulsa. This ensures that your HVAC projects are carried out safely and efficiently, increases the lifespan of your HVAC equipment, and can even reduce your energy use bills by up to 50 percent.
Some common HVAC tasks that should be entrusted to licensed and skilled Tulsa HVAC contractors include the following:
- Central AC installation and repair
- Central AC filter replacements
- Ductless mini-split systems installation and repair
- Furnace installation and tune-ups
- Heat pump repair
- Air quality testing
- Duct cleaning and air duct sealing
- Whole building HVAC system design, installation, and energy-efficient upgrade
Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
HVAC contractors must be licensed by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) and subsequently register locally with the Tulsa Development Services Department before plying their trade in Tulsa.
While the CIB offers interested HVAC contractors several license categories based on their areas of specialization, applicants are generally classified into two main types:
- Mechanical Journeymen: These HVAC contractors must have at least three years of verifiable work experience, or an acceptable alternative, in the license category they are applying for.
- Mechanical Contractors: These HVAC contractors must have been licensed as mechanical journeymen for at least one year.
Before being issued these licenses, applicants must pass an examination to demonstrate their knowledge and competence. In addition, HVAC contractors who wish to be licensed in a specialty that involves handling or working on equipment that can release refrigerants into the atmosphere are federally mandated to undergo certification with an EPA-approved agency.
Failing to obtain an appropriate state-issued license from the CIB before performing HVAC work in Tulsa is a misdemeanor offense punishable by statutory fines of up to $1,000, possible jail time, and separate administrative fees of up to $500 per violation.
You can check your intended HVAC contractor's license status online via the CIB Verify a Licensee Search tool. You should always take this step before committing to any Tulsa HVAC contractors because this assures you of the contractors' competence and suitability for your project.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?
While you can usually expect to pay between $175 and $10,000 for HVAC work in Tulsa, the actual cost of specific HVAC projects varies depending on factors like the following:
- The scope of the work to be done
- The type and size of HVAC equipment involved
- The urgency of the job
- Your building layout
- Permit costs
- Costs of necessary renovations, equipment-enhancing components, and other miscellaneous expenses
We recommend asking several HVAC contractors for quotes for your project and comparing their rates to get a fair assessment of the expected overall cost. Comparing rates is also an effective method for identifying dishonest contractors that overcharge unsuspecting clients.
Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Tulsa?
A trade permit is required for installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing mechanical systems in Tulsa. These systems include heating, exhaust, cooling, mechanical refrigeration, ventilation systems, and any equipment and appliances used in relation to them. The Tulsa Development Services Department handles the permitting process through its Permit Center.
You can direct questions concerning trade permits and the procedure for pulling these permits for your HVAC projects to the Tulsa Development Services Department by calling (918) 596-9656 or visiting the Permit Center at
City Hall175 E. 2nd Street
4th floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Tulsa?
Tulsa HVAC contractors are generally skilled and equipped to provide various services to HVAC systems and equipment for residential and commercial properties. Be aware that these contractors may charge you a minimum service fee of about $50 to $150 and an hourly labor fee of $100 - $175.
Here are some examples of services commonly offered by Tulsa HVAC contractors:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Tulsa?
While professional HVAC contractors generally have the skill set needed to handle HVAC projects on their own, they may outsource specific tasks to other contractors, especially for large-scale projects. Therefore, it is essential to confirm with your intended HVAC contractor if they will perform the work themselves or hire subcontractors.
You should take the following precautions to reduce the chances of misunderstandings and complications if any subcontractors get involved in your project:
- Verify that each subcontractor is appropriately licensed and has relevant experience for their assigned task.
- Confirm that subcontractors have adequate insurance and bonding to protect you in case of accidents.
- Request lien waivers from the subcontractors to protect you if the primary HVAC contractor fails to pay them on time.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tulsa HVAC Contractor?
HVAC contractors are legally mandated to maintain a $5,000 bond and general liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000 before performing any work in Tulsa.
You should always perform due diligence by confirming that your intended HVAC contractor has complied with these requirements; otherwise, you expose yourself to liability if any accidents, injuries, or property damage occur during your HVAC project.
You can contact the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at (405) 521-6550 or (877) 484-4424 for answers to questions concerning the mandatory bond and insurance requirements for Tulsa HVAC contractors.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Tulsa?
Reliable HVAC contractors typically provide warranties that cover their workmanship and materials. Although these warranties usually last for one to two years for workmanship and five to ten years for the materials used for their HVAC work, the specific coverage offered by your warranty will depend on the HVAC contractor and the materials and equipment used. As such, you should always request a written copy of any warranty you are offered and be sure to review its terms thoroughly.
Never hire HVAC contractors who do not warrant their work or who seem reluctant to provide written copies of warranties; this usually indicates that the contractor is incompetent and possibly fraudulent.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?
You can report matters concerning subpar HVAC services, dishonest HVAC contractors, contractor scams, and other related issues in Tulsa to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit by submitting a Consumer Complaint Form to this unit via email or by mailing the completed form to the following address:
Oklahoma Attorney General's OfficeConsumer Protection Unit
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Submissions made via email should read "complaint" as their subject.
Queries concerning the complaint submission and resolution process of the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit can be directed to (405) 521-2029 or 1-833-681-1895.
Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
- Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Tulsa?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?
- Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Tulsa?
- What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Tulsa?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Tulsa?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tulsa HVAC Contractor?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Tulsa?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Tulsa?