Most consumer's do not know that South Carolina has different requirements for HVAC contractor's!
The most common type of contractor is the "Registered" or "Specialty Contractor". The "Specialty Contractor" provides a "minimal qualification" for anyone desiring to operate as a tradesman, this includes plumbers, electricians, heating and air, roofers, carpenters, and most other tradesmen can "register as a Residential specialty contractor.
Trades people operating under the registration are not recognized by many municipalities including Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, Seneca, and Walhala.
Specialty Contractors with an heating and air specialty are also limited in the type of work they can legally perform, maximum dollar limit per job and are not licensed for any type of "commercial work".
Information on "Specialty Contracting" is available through the Residential Builders Commission. SC state Web site: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ Check registration requirements under "Licensure". Then select "How Can I Become Registered as a Specialty Contractor" The actual application form is found under "Publications."
When checking the credentials of the "Specialty Contractor" be sure to check if he is Grand-Fathered or examined. Most, 95% of the specialty contractors are grand-fathered and this "Loop Hole" allows for many a "jack leg" to operate in this business.
To check heating and air specialty contractors in Easley, SC 1) Go to the SC state web site above 2) Click on Licensee Lookup 3) Enter the city name, Easley 4) Enter Licensee type, "heating and air"
The registered contractors will be listed. Click on the contractors number to see their Job dollar limit and if they grand-fathered in or took the examination.
Alpha Environmental is not on the Residential Specialty Contractors list since we are a SC state licensed, "Mechanical Contracting" company. Licensing information for Mechanical Contractors is found on the main site license lookup under "Contractors".
SC Licensed Mechanical Contractors submit detailed financial disclosures, personal references, training, experience, education and then if approved take comprehensive written "proctored" examinations. The comprehensive mechanical examinations certify: General, Practical, Theoretical knowledge, and also the SC state laws pertaining to mechanical contracting.
Mechanical contractors can bid and are licensed to perform all types of commercial, industrial, and RESIDENTIAL HVACR projects.