The Risks of Unlicensed Contractors

There is a saying, “Cheap is expensive,” and this is especially true when it comes to house improvements. We know that they do not come cheap, but there are many good reasons to hire a licensed contractor instead of a low-cost “I know a guy, not sure about the license, but he can do it for nothing.” In this post, we will explain why you should never hire an unlicensed contractor for a job and, in the end, we will explain the benefits of collaborating with a licensed contractor.

Why You Shouldn’t Hire Unlicensed Contractors:

Poor craftsmanship is one of the most significant concerns when hiring an unlicensed contractor. Licenses indicate that the technician has completed extensive training and obtained all the necessary knowledge to do the job. In the case of an unlicensed contractor, one can only hope they know what they are doing. Faulty installations can lead to more significant losses in the future.
Safety hazards are another direct consequence of poor craftsmanship. Jobs done by unlicensed contractors are more likely to go rogue. Think gas leaks or electric fires — better be safe than sorry.
Voided warranties are another concern when hiring an unlicensed contractor. Installed equipment manufacturers legally oblige the licensed contractors to provide the maintenance for the installed equipment in case something goes wrong. (Remember that gas leak? Yes, this kind of wrong). An unlicensed contractor usually does not provide the coverage or provides a void warranty that will be no use to a homeowner.
Liability issues are also a concern. God forbid something happens to the technician during the installation. But if they fall or damage themselves in any way, it is plausible to become the homeowner’s problem.
The cost of the house may also decrease when working with unlicensed contractors. Unlicensed contractors usually do not provide permits for improvements. As a result, the city council is unaware of any changes made to the house. Without records, nobody knows what has been done. Heaven only knows what has been changed and whether it has been done correctly.

Given these risks, it is obvious that hiring unlicensed contractors is not worth it.

Moreover, collaborating with licensed contractors can help you get a rebate on your installation. FUSE customers are eligible for rebates for HVAC installation, solar installation, electrical, plumbing, and much more! To book a free estimate, drop us an email at support@fuseservice.com or call (408) 721-2530. We look forward to helping you!

Likewise, we can help you, if you need other HVAC installation, for example:

HVAC Ultra Quiet operation installation in San Jose;
furnace installation in San Jose;
heater installation in San Jose;
air conditioner installation in San Jose;
AC installation HVAC 926TB48080V17 in San Jose.

Similarly, we can make repair, for example:

HVAC repair in San Jose;
furnace repair in San Jose;
air conditioner repair in San Jose;
ducts repair San Jose.

Also, to illustrate the point we suggest you take a look what the customers say about our HVAC services on Yelp:

Read Don A.‘s review of Fuse HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical & Plumbing on Yelp

Read Lina C.‘s review of Fuse HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical & Plumbing on Yelp

About Fuse

Fuse HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical & Plumbing was founded in 2007. So the company headquarter location is San Jose, California. Besides the company has a network of geographically distributed offices across the country. Fuse HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical & Plumbing is an official authorized dealer of Bryant, as well as a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite Contractor. So we provide HVAC installation and repair services, electrical services, plumbing services and refrigerating services. Certainly Fuse provides warranty for labor and parts: 12 months for repair labor, besides we provide up to 3 years warranty for labor for HVAC-installations.

Also, our company provides same-day service, 7 days a week for residential, commercial and industrial HVAC installation, similarly we provide service for HVAC repair. Most importantly the technicians of the company are knowledgeable professionals with outstanding skills in installation and repairing all brands and models of all major HVAC systems.

Summing up, we pride ourselves on being the best HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical & Plumbing service in the country!

Aya L.

2024-04-20

Exceptional service! I called them for a HVAC repair. They were professional and quickly locate the issue. however the price is reasonable. Over all was good

Deena D.

2024-04-19

Very nice, knowledgeable, and helpful technician. Provided the options and associated costs. Would use this company again.

Ron B.

2024-04-17

We chose Fuse to do the HVAC portion of our home remodel and we're very happy with their work! They installed a full Mitsubishi Mini-split heat pump system all throughout our house in 6 rooms. It was a massive job and they did the work relatively quickly and efficiently. The supervisor, Maxim, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Out of several bids that we got, theirs was the only one that gave us everything we wanted at a competitive cost. We'd be happy to recommend Fuse! We also had Fuse Electric work on the electrical portion of our home remodel, for which I wrote up a separate review.

Kevin P.

2024-04-16

Shady business, got quoted a price with rebates in writing. After installation they said rebate was applied but never provided the rebate. Got ghosted by sales afterwards the job was done. The installers are very good, and no complaints there. Update: Fuse reached out afterwards and reimbursed the golden State rebate as well, so updated review. No qualms with workers or installation, everything went smoothly

Pablo L. D.

2024-04-10

Great service. They respond really fast and did a great job fixing my thermostat issues.

Manu B.

2024-04-07

We got our duct work completely replaced in our 50 yr old home. They recommended the work, other companies didn't do this much due diligence and mentioned about asbestos but FUSE technicians went step ahead and climbed into attic and our crawl space to ensure there were no asbestos to begin with. Honest people and very competitive if not best quote I got. Moreover the installer, David and Jeremy worked 2 long days non stop to get work done at our home with 100% satisfaction. David explained everything to me and provided other recommendations for future. He is the most honest technician I have encountered in so long. Because of David I wouldn't hesitate to work with FUSE again. Thank you for such a great work. Very happy and highly recommend FUSE!!

K R.

2024-04-05

The technical crews were excellent; very knowledgeable and capable. They were able to do our HVAC, water heater and ductwork replacement even when faced with several unexpected and very challenging situations. David in particular worked some very long hours to get everything installed correctly. The administration side had a few glitches, but everything worked out OK. I would recommend them, but if you are eligible for the Penninsula Clean Energy interest free loan, be sure to apply for it before the work is completed.

Matthew J.

2024-04-05

Exceptional service from FUSE HVAC! They installed a Mitsubishi HVAC system in our home, and we couldn't be happier. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient throughout the process. Our home is now perfectly comfortable year-round, thanks to their expertise. From consultation to installation, everything was seamless and hassle-free. Highly recommend FUSE HVAC for anyone looking for top-notch HVAC solutions!

Amitabha C.

2024-04-04

Fuse HVAC installed Mitsubishi Heat pump in my house and completed the project on 31st March 2024. David and Jeremy started the project and David finished the installation. David worked Saturday and Sunday until 11 PM to complete the work. It took 4 1/2 days. I am very happy with the work that David performed. I was watching the process of installation of the pump and was very satisfied to see that after finishing each step David will spend 10-15 min inspecting the work that he did to make sure that there was no mistake. The result was that during pressure testing to check for gas leakage or when the heat pump was run there was no unanticipated issue. The new ductwork that was installed by FUSE passed the HERS test. FUSE is also installing the attic fan to keep the air circulation going and keep the attic cooler. FUSE was referred to by my friend who used them for installing a similar heat pump and although they were a little more expensive than a few quotes I got from other vendors, I decided to go with them based on my friend's recommendation. I had made a right choice! My only criticism for FUSE is they are not able to estimate the time that it will take to finish the project. They told me it will be done in 3 days but it took 4 1/2 days. My project needed the air handler to be moved to the attic but because the space which had the gas heater was too narrow for the air handler. On the whole it was a good experience working with FUSE. They kept us warm for two days with heater fans and David worked Easter Sunday until 11 PM to install and start up the system without hurrying up at any step to get the installation completed earlier. A big thanks to him and to his assistant Jeremy!

Yelp reviews for San Jose, CA

Andrew W.

2024-01-10 01:17:38

I wanted to leave a review saying that I had a great experience with Fuse to replace an old HVAC system in my Condo which had a rare setup, being a ducted...

Andrew H.

2023-12-03 11:13:49

The scale of our plumbing project was frankly crazy - I don't think we'd have started if we knew what was in store for us... but I am so glad we did. Fuse...

E. C.

2023-11-06 16:18:00

I asked Fuse to install a Tesla Wall Charger for my home in the Peninsula. Reasonably priced, especially compared to other non-local companies out to charge...

     Excellent  
     Based on 1081 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Aya L. 
 2024-04-20
 
 
  Exceptional service! I called them for a HVAC repair. They were professional and quickly locate the issue. however the price is reasonable. Over all was good
  
 
       
   Deena D. 
 2024-04-19
 
 
  Very nice, knowledgeable, and helpful technician.  Provided the options and associated costs.  Would use this company again.
  
 
       
   Ron B. 
 2024-04-17
 
 
  We chose Fuse to do the HVAC portion of our home remodel and we're very happy with their work! They installed a full Mitsubishi Mini-split heat pump system all throughout our house in 6 rooms. It was a massive job and they did the work relatively quickly and efficiently. The supervisor, Maxim, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Out of several bids that we got, theirs was the only one that gave us everything we wanted at a competitive cost. We'd be happy to recommend Fuse! We also had Fuse Electric work on the electrical portion of our home remodel, for which I wrote up a separate review.
  
 
       
   Kevin P. 
 2024-04-16
 
 
  Shady business, got quoted a price with rebates in writing. After installation they said rebate was applied but never provided the rebate. Got ghosted by sales afterwards the job was done.

The installers are very good, and no complaints there.

Update:
Fuse reached out afterwards and reimbursed the golden State rebate as well, so updated review. No qualms with workers or installation, everything went smoothly
  
 
       
   Pablo L. D. 
 2024-04-10
 
 
  Great service. They respond really fast and did a great job fixing my thermostat issues.
  
 
       
   Manu B. 
 2024-04-07
 
 
  We got our duct work completely replaced in our 50 yr old home. They recommended the work, other companies didn't do this much due diligence and mentioned about asbestos but FUSE technicians went step ahead and climbed into attic and our crawl space to ensure there were no asbestos to begin with. Honest people and very competitive if not best quote I got. Moreover the installer, David and Jeremy worked 2 long days non stop to get work done at our home with 100% satisfaction. David explained everything to me and provided other recommendations for future. He is the most honest technician I have encountered in so long. Because of David I wouldn't hesitate to work with FUSE again. Thank you for such a great work. Very happy and highly recommend FUSE!!
  
 
       
   K R. 
 2024-04-05
 
 
  The technical crews were excellent; very knowledgeable and capable. They were able to do our HVAC, water heater and ductwork replacement even when faced with several unexpected and very challenging situations. David in particular worked some very long hours to get everything installed correctly.

The administration side had a few glitches, but everything worked out OK.

I would recommend them, but if you are eligible for the Penninsula Clean Energy interest free loan, be sure to apply for it before the work is completed.
  
 
       
   Matthew J. 
 2024-04-05
 
 
  Exceptional service from FUSE HVAC! They installed a Mitsubishi HVAC system in our home, and we couldn't be happier. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient throughout the process. Our home is now perfectly comfortable year-round, thanks to their expertise. From consultation to installation, everything was seamless and hassle-free. Highly recommend FUSE HVAC for anyone looking for top-notch HVAC solutions!
  
 
       
   Amitabha C. 
 2024-04-04
 
 
  Fuse HVAC installed Mitsubishi Heat pump in my house and completed the project on 31st March 2024.  David and Jeremy started the project and David finished the installation. David worked Saturday and Sunday until 11 PM to complete the work. It took 4 1/2 days.

I am very happy with the work that David performed. I was watching the process of installation of the pump and was very satisfied to see that after finishing each step David will spend 10-15 min inspecting the work that he did to make sure that there was no mistake. The result was that during pressure testing to check for gas leakage or when the heat pump was run there was no unanticipated issue. The new ductwork that was installed by FUSE passed the HERS test. FUSE is also installing the attic fan to keep the air circulation going and keep the attic cooler.

FUSE was referred to by my friend who used them for installing a similar heat pump and although they were a little more expensive than a few quotes I got from other vendors, I decided to go with them based on my friend's recommendation. I had made a right choice!

My only criticism for FUSE is they are not able to estimate the time that it will take to finish the project. They told me it will be done in 3 days but it took 4 1/2 days. My project needed the air handler to be moved to the attic but because the space which had the gas heater was too narrow for the air handler.

On the whole it was a good experience working with FUSE. They kept us warm for two days with heater fans and David worked Easter Sunday until 11 PM to install and start up the system without hurrying up at any step to get the installation completed earlier. A big thanks to him and to his assistant Jeremy!

The Risks of Unlicensed Contractors

Why You Shouldn’t Hire Unlicensed Contractors:

Given these risks, it is obvious that hiring unlicensed contractors is not worth it.

About Fuse

About us