Autumn Is The Season To Service The Furnace - Consumers
are Reminded to Use Only Licensed Contractors for Furnace Service
November 5, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Fickel
512-463-3208
AUSTIN - Now that the cooler temperatures of autumn have finally arrived in Texas and the blue northers of winter are looming just around the corner, many people will be looking ahead and calling a contractor to service their furnace to make sure it is operating properly.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) would like to remind consumers that they should hire only a licensed air conditioning and heating contractor to work on their systems. Only licensed contractors are properly trained and have demonstrated that they have the skills and experience to service heating and air conditioning equipment. Licensed contractors also are required to carry insurance.
“If you hire an unlicensed individual to service your heating or air conditioning unit you risk more than just poor performance from that unit,” said William Kuntz, TDLR’s executive director. “Improperly serviced or poorly wired equipment can be dangerous, causing fires or emitting hazardous levels of carbon monoxide.”
Consumers also run a financial risk if they hire unlicensed, unqualified individuals. People who perform the work of a contractor but don’t have a contractor’s license rarely have insurance to cover the cost of the repairs should their work prove to be deficient. They also may not be willing to return to fix problems that their unlicensed workmanship has caused.
“This is a consumer safety issue,” Kuntz said. “To earn a state license, a contractor has demonstrated that he or she is experienced and has passed a state-administered test of their knowledge. Are you willing to risk your home and the health of your family to someone who is unwilling or unable to prove that they know what they are doing?”
TDLR offers these tips to help identify licensed contractors.
State-issued license numbers, which begin with TACL, must be on all print
advertisements, company vehicles, business cards, work proposals, and
invoices. If no license number is evident, the contractor is most likely
not licensed to work in the state.
Consumers also can check the status of a license at the TDLR website (www.license.state.tx.us)
or through TDLR’s customer service lines at 1-800-803-9202 or 1-512-436-6599.
Consumers also can research a licensed contractor’s enforcement
history complaint history on the TDLR website or by calling customer service.
Consumers who are unhappy with the quality of the work performed or who
believe a contractor is not licensed may report complaints against contractors
on TDLR’s website or by calling TDLR’s enforcement division
at 1-512-463-2906.
TDLR Issues Eight Cease And Desist Orders
May 12, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Stanford
512-463-3208
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued six cease and desist orders against unlicensed individuals to prevent them from acting as licensed air conditioning contractors. All actions are the result of investigations into illegal activities.
TDLR encourages consumers to report any business contact with these unlicensed individuals or businesses so the agency may take appropriate action. Contact TDLR at 1-800-803-9202 or by email to TDLR at complaints@license.state.tx.us.
Cease and Desist Orders
Celestino Barron, d/b/a H and H
6020 Truro
Houston, Texas 77007
Date of Issuance: April 23, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
Kenneth W. Marcantel,
18135 Howards Way
Conroe, Texas 77306
Date of Issuance: April 23, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
Mike Sims, d/b/a Home Work Handyman Service
P.O. Box 241
Dayton, Texas 77535
Date of Issuance: April 23, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
Pedro Oswaldo Echeverria, d/b/a Pedro’s Maintenance & Repairs
600 S. Allen Genoa Road #B11
South Houston, Texas 77587
Date of Issuance: April 21, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
Jerry Meyers
11419 Quincewood
Houston, Texas 77089
Date of Issuance: April 23, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
Timmy Lee Saxton
P.O. Box 384
Avinger, Texas 75630
Date of Issuance: April 23, 2008
Violation: Unlicensed air conditioning and refrigeration activity
provided by http://www.license.state.tx.us