How do I find qualified HVAC pro to install mini-split?

[rcstevensonaz]

How would I go about finding qualified HVAC professional to install a Mitsubishi mini-split system for our house in Mesa, AZ?

To be very clear: this is not a DYI and I am NOT looking for low-ball bidder. I want a qualified, licensed professional who will do excellent work installing and starting up the system. I will pay them them accordingly for their time, knowledge and experience.

So far, I am only finding companies that sell and install equipment. I'm not sure how to find individuals (or companies) that that will do this work without also selling the equipment.

Thanks,
Craig

p.s., yes, aware that the contractor cannot take responsibility for equipment provided by the home owner.

[beb]

Most contractors will not install owner supplied equiptment. Just keep calling and you will find someone.

[skippedover]

I doubt you'll ever find a Mitsubishi dealer to install something they didn't purchase for you specifically. We're a Diamond Dealer and you can find all the dealers, Diamond or otherwise on the Mr. Slim website. But anybody who knows the Mr. Slim is highly trained and not about to give away their profits so a homeowner can save money. IMO, any company that does that is a sucker for perpetuating and industry where labor becomes the only basis for work. So I hope you don't succeed in finding a Mr. Slim dealer to install your owner supplied product. So drag out the yellow pages and find some hack who doesn't care to install it. That's all you want to pay anyway.

[Stamas]

If you could see the amount of money spent in training and providing the resources to the crew to be able to competently install and service Mitsubishi systems you may understand what Skippedover's point really is. These costs add to the margins we must use but they benefit you, the customer ultimately. Your doing yourself a disservice by trying to save a few bucks. You'll end up paying more than if you just went about it the right way to begin with.
You notice I didn't say "professionally". Anyone who you find will be a "professional".
Soon it will get to be contractors will start limiting the brands they will service, some already do, it is getting to that point.

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey. It's unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money -- that is all. When you pay too little, you may lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot -- it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

John Ruskin"

[dan sw fl]

To be very clear: this is not a DYI and I am NOT looking for low-ball bidder.

So far, I am only finding companies that sell and install equipment. I'm not sure how to find individuals (or companies) that that will do this work without also selling the equipment.

Thanks,
Craig

p.s., yes, aware that the contractor cannot take responsibility for equipment provided by the home owner.

To be Very Clear: since your overall plan is well thought out,
you won't need to
Significantly complicate
the issue by dealing with more than one party.

Contact a firm who will back the total installation for a number of years.

Otherwise, your "guarantee" lasts as long as it takes to deposit your check at the - non-professional's- bank.

[precision hvac]

You won't find any professionals here who support homeowners purchasing equipment on the internet.

[wahoo]

I'd recommend contacting a local tech. school, get into a class and get your certifications, and then purchase what tools it will take to install this yourself. After a "few" mistakes, you'll have it done and be much more "in tune" with what it requires. Actually this route will probably be the quickest as you've probably found by now. It is really difficult to find a true professional who is not busy installing and servicing what he sells. Me? I'd train myself before I'd hire a hack. Good luck.

P.S. Have you contacted the company who sold you the equipment?

[SandShark]

I doubt you'll ever find a Mitsubishi dealer to install something they didn't purchase for you specifically. We're a Diamond Dealer and you can find all the dealers, Diamond or otherwise on the Mr. Slim website. But anybody who knows the Mr. Slim is highly trained and not about to give away their profits so a homeowner can save money. IMO, any company that does that is a sucker for perpetuating and industry where labor becomes the only basis for work. So I hope you don't succeed in finding a Mr. Slim dealer to install your owner supplied product. So drag out the yellow pages and find some hack who doesn't care to install it. That's all you want to pay anyway.

Diamond, Mitsubishi, Lennox, LG, Sanyo, Friedrich and others sell their mini-split systems directly to homeowners through online websites. If that's the case, how can you say Mitsubishi "is highly trained and not about to give away their profits so a homeowner can save money"? They're selling the equipment on the Internet to anybody with cash. They don't care about you. Not to mention, Goodman, Rheem, Amana and others sell central A/C split systems and package units to homeowners through online websites. How can any of you be a dealer for one of these companies when they are out to cut your throats? Is there something I'm missing here?

[rcstevensonaz]

While I understand the concerns you raise, what I hear is that you are all anxiously trying to protect a business model that guarantees multiple sources of profit (hardware and software).

I have my cars serviced by a well trained auto mechanic (been in the business for decades) who has all of the equipment, tools and access to the Honda service bulletins.

My Honda dealer tells that I am at very great risk if my car is serviced by anyone other than *that dealership*. Oddly enough, my auto mechanic has never tried to convince me that he can only service cars that he sells and he has never turned away the chance to work on vehicles that he did not personally drive off the delivery truck, prep and clean.

The air conditioner deal quote consists of:
Equipment Cost + Equipment Profit
Install Cost + Install Profit

I do not understand why the installer has to pocket both sets of profit.

-- Craig

p.s. The "quote" is only as good as when I sign the receipt that the work was completed and write the check. That is less than 25 minutes and less time than it takes to reach the bank. That is why I will pay full rate for the work done and why I am not looking for a low-ball bid.

p.p.s. I've been quoted $XXXX for a simple mini-split where the lineset is already in place and power is 10' from the outside compressor site. Forgive me, but $XXXX installation to cover your "training" and "certification" seems a bit excessive for one of these units.

[rcstevensonaz]

Diamond, Mitsubishi, Lennox, LG, Sanyo, Friedrich and others sell their mini-split systems directly to homeowners through online websites. If that's the case, how can you say Mitsubishi "is highly trained and not about to give away their profits so a homeowner can save money"? They're selling the equipment on the Internet to anybody with cash. They don't care about you. Not to mention, Goodman, Rheem, Amana and others sell central A/C split systems and package units to homeowners through online websites. How can any of you be a dealer for one of these companies when they are out to cut your throats? Is there something I'm missing here?

What you are missing is that virtually all of the manufactures state that their warrant is void for Internet sales.

You can buy the equipment on the Internet; but those manufactures may refuse to provide any warranty. Actual terms and conditions vary between the vendors with Fujitsu appearing to draw the strongest line.

But, none of the vendors are trying to push their systems on the Internet and all of the vendors are supporting the "qualified contractor" route (as supported by the responders to my post).

[wahoo]

Rheems, Amana, Lennox, Goodman, Rudd, as far as I know NONE of these companies sell direct to the homeowner over the internet. All the internet sales are done by internet marketing companies and yes, it voids the original manufacterer's warranty if HO purchases over internet. The real problem with the installation comes about when the HO tries to find a qualified person to install. As evidenced in this posting.

[rcstevensonaz]

If you could see the amount of money spent in training and providing the resources to the crew to be able to competently install and service Mitsubishi systems you may understand what Skippedover's point really is.

I wish you could see the number of times I've contacted the 'professional' listed on the manufacture's site only to spend most of the time educating them on the product line for that manufacture.

So far, I've know more about the Fujitsu or Mitsubishi mini-split system than the 'professional' who showed up.

[Stamas]

I wish you could see the number of times I've contacted the 'professional' listed on the manufacture's site only to spend most of the time educating them on the product line for that manufacture.

So far, I've know more about the Fujitsu or Mitsubishi mini-split system than the 'professional' who showed up.

That pertained to my co. and a some that I know from this site. I would venture that most if not all you contacted are not from this site. We do have a map if you care to see if one of them meets your standards, (are you an engineer by chance?)
Oh and next time your Honda needs service, have them come to your house to work on it. It is not all apples here.