10 Questions to Ask a Gas Fitter
If you are thinking about adding a fireplace to your home, then you may be considering a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces are popular options due to their ease-of-use and the fact that they require very little maintenance.
To have your new gas fireplace installed safely, you’re going to end up working with a professional gas fitter. Because safety is such a huge priority when it comes to working with gas, your gas fitter needs to be a pro. The following are ten questions you should ask your gas fitter:
1. Are you fully licensed?
Never work with someone who doesn’t have all of the required licensing. You can ask for proof from the gas fitter that they are licensed. They should be able to provide you a copy of their TSSA (Technical Standards & Safety Authority) Registration.
2. Are you insured?
Since handling anything involving natural gas can be potentially dangerous, it’s important that the gas fitter can prove to you that they are fully insured – this way you are not liable if they are injured while on the job and that if an accident occurs in your home that causes damage that their insurance will cover it.
3. How experienced are you?
The longer they’ve been working as a gas fitter, the better. This ensures they know what they are doing and can formulate solutions to any issues that come up.
4. Do you have experience with gas fireplace installation?
You’ll want someone who is specifically familiar with gas fireplace installation.
5. Do you provide a workmanship warranty?
Your gas fitter or the company they work for should provide a warranty for their work. This protects you in case anything goes wrong after installation and is also a sign that they aren’t cutting corners.
6. Do you have references?
A reputable gas fitter can provide a list of previous customers you can contact.
7. Will you provide a written estimate?
Before you agree to any work, make sure you receive a written estimate. This ensures you’re both on the same page in terms of how much the project is going to cost you. Without a written estimate, you’ll have no legal recourse if they end up charging more than they verbally told you it would cost.
8. Are any permits required?
A good gas fitter will be familiar with the kinds of permits required for different projects. Your local government may require an inspection to ensure that your installation meets code compliance – the gas fitter should make sure their work meets all regulations.
9. How do you get the required permits?
This shouldn’t be left to you – the gas fitter should know how to obtain any permits required for the job.
10. What other work can they do?
There’s a chance they have other skills, from drywall to tiling, that can be useful when installing a gas fireplace.
These are ten questions you should ask your professional gas fitter. We ask many of the same questions in our hiring process, becuase we want the most qualified, reputable and professional gas fitters for our customers.
