What should a Vernon homeowner ask a heating service company?

Start by separating a service call from a project. A furnace that will not start, a heat pump that is not heating, poor airflow, unusual noise, or an odour may need diagnosis before anyone can responsibly recommend a repair or replacement. Routine maintenance is a different request again. Technical Safety BC describes licensing and contractor responsibilities for regulated gas work. That authority boundary does not prove that any particular company is available or appropriate for your appliance.

Record the equipment type, fuel, manufacturer and model if visible, symptom, date it began, thermostat setting, filter condition, and any recent work. Do not turn a symptom into a diagnosis in the quote request. If there is a gas odour, leave the building and use the emergency route identified by FortisBC or 911; do not wait for a routine heating appointment.

• Label the request as diagnosis, repair, maintenance, replacement, or a mixed scope.
• Photograph the rating plate and controls without removing covers or entering an unsafe area.
• Ask whether the visit includes diagnosis only, repair authorization, or a written replacement proposal.

Heating work can cross more than one approval boundary. The City of Vernon says a building permit is required for construction, alteration, repair, or addition to a building or structure, with its application process and checklist used for the project. Technical Safety BC says gas installation permits are required for licensed contractors installing regulated gas equipment or gas systems, subject to listed municipal exceptions. Do not assume that a heating label answers the permit question for a specific replacement, venting change, gas-line alteration, electrical connection, or building alteration.

Ask the contractor to identify the authority, permit type, permit holder, inspection or notification step, and final record for each regulated part of the scope. Technical Safety BC also describes licensing and contractor responsibilities for regulated gas work. A directory listing or a company statement is not proof of current licensing, permit status, warranty, or workmanship, so verify the current evidence directly with the responsible authority and contractor.

• Ask whether the proposed work changes gas equipment, gas piping, venting, structure, or electrical service.
• Put responsibility for applications, fees, inspections, notifications, and corrections in writing.
• Request the permit number or equivalent record before concealed or regulated work is treated as complete.

A useful quote lets you compare the same scope. For repair, ask for the diagnostic charge, suspected failed component, testing plan, parts assumptions, labour, return visits, tax treatment, and warranty terms. For replacement, ask for the equipment model, fuel, capacity rationale, efficiency information, thermostat or controls, duct or vent changes, condensate management, electrical coordination, removal, disposal, startup, commissioning, and maintenance instructions. Do not treat a model number or efficiency label as proof that the system is correctly sized for your home.

Ask the contractor to state which safety controls, thermostat operation, venting, burners, airflow, and cleaning checks are included. Use the written scope as a question list rather than promising that every visit includes every item. Ask what the technician will inspect, what is excluded, and what written checklist or report you will receive after the visit.

• Compare equipment, labour, permits, commissioning, removal, exclusions, and warranty terms line by line.
• Ask how the contractor will assess airflow, duct changes, venting, controls, and electrical coordination.
• Keep the written quote, approved changes, invoices, permit records, and service report together.

Before the technician leaves, ask what was tested, what was adjusted, what remains unresolved, and what conditions require a follow-up. Keep the owner's manual, keep the area around gas appliances clear, and ask for equipment-specific filter and maintenance instructions. Follow the appliance manufacturer and qualified contractor; do not infer a universal filter interval or service guarantee from a general guide.

For installation or major repair, request the final equipment information, model and serial numbers, permit or notification records, inspection outcomes where applicable, commissioning notes, warranty documents, maintenance instructions, and a list of excluded or deferred work. If the job changes a building, gas system, vent, or electrical connection, confirm that the responsible authority's close-out requirement has been met. TradeList can help compare relevant public profiles, but it does not verify current availability, pricing, licensing status, or project outcome.

• Write down filter size, control settings, service findings, and the date of the next recommended check.
• Confirm who handles warranty calls, permit corrections, and manufacturer documentation.
• Do not sign off on concealed or regulated work without the records appropriate to that scope.