JoeRJGR said:
Well,
I have been trying to choose one Hearthstone dealer over another. Both offered the same exact prices, but one didn't want me to pull permits, which made nervous regardless if I actually pull the permits or not. So I inform the dealer who doesnt want me to pull permits that I am not going with him, and he says that Hearthstone is now offering a $150.00 discount between now and Feb 2nd or something....nothing on their website....just wondering if anyone has heard of this? I hope its true, and then I can get the other dealer to give me a $150.00 off!
As usual..thanks!
Hi Joe:
Still thinking about that Clydesdale...
I discovered that when I went shopping for an insert and an installer that some of the local installers were not "registered" contractors. I know this because the State of Idaho maintains a list of registered contractors that anyone can access through their web. You can check your proposed installer and see if he/she is registered.
Here in SE Idaho, one has to be a registered contractor to install a wood stove, insert, gas appliance, etc. if you are doing the work commercially - as a business. And to obtain a building permit here in my area, you must be a registered contractor if you are doing work for others commercially on someone else's home not your own. To obtain some types of contractor's registration in Idaho, you don't need proof of competency that you can actually perform the work, you just need proof of insurance. In most cases, it requires a minimum of $50,000 liability insurance. Of course there are exceptions to no requirement for demonstrated competency - such as electricians, plumbers, etc. - those who require professional licensure.
Why do some installers fly under the radar and do not obtain the required contractor's registration? Because they can't or don't want to spend the money to buy the minimum $50,000 in liability insurance. I found out that insurers want you to buy on the order of $300,000 liability or more - and that gets expensive. Competent contractors will have 1 million and more liability insurance.
So Joe, the bottom line is this: if a proposed contractor does not want you or him to obtain a building permit, it may be because he couldn't pull a permit if he wanted one. And without liability insurance you will be left holding the bag if anything goes wrong with your install.
So your instincts are right on this one. Like the man said, run from the guy who does not want you to pull a building permit for the install. As far the Hearthstone discount - I don't know, but you can check with other authorized dealers.
!!
