Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Winnipeg

City licence

The City of Winnipeg requires a mechanical contractor licence to obtain permits for mechanical work. The M1 licence covers HVAC.

Licences are personal

The city issues licences to individuals, not companies. The licence holder stays responsible for work under their permits.

Gas work

Gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters must be connected and serviced by a licensed gas fitter.

Permits

Ask who will take out the permit and arrange inspection.

Written quotes

Get the model, efficiency, venting, warranty and what's included in writing.

Heat-loss calculation

Ask whether the contractor will size the equipment with a heat-loss calculation.

Red flags

No licence, cash-only offers or suggestions to skip permits.

Get started

Send a request and an HVAC technician will get in touch.

Payment

Agree on deposits and when the balance is due, and avoid paying in full before the work is finished and inspected.

Check the licence

Ask for the licence holder's name and licence type, and confirm with the city if you're unsure. Keep copies of the permit and final inspection with your house records.

Older homes

In older homes, ask how the contractor will handle chimney venting, asbestos-wrapped ducts or pipes, and small ductwork before quoting a new system. These details change the price.

Questions to ask

Who will hold the permit? Who does the gas work? What efficiency and warranty does the new equipment have? Will you remove the old equipment? How long will we be without heat during the swap?

Emergency service

Ask whether the contractor offers after-hours service in winter and how quickly they usually respond during cold snaps.

Insurance

Ask for proof of liability insurance and Workers Compensation Board coverage.

More HVAC guides

• No Heat in a Winnipeg Cold Snap: What to Check
• Frozen or Blocked Furnace Vents
• Do Heat Pumps Work in Winnipeg?
• Winter Humidity and Window Frost in Winnipeg Homes
• Carbon Monoxide Safety in a Winnipeg Winter