Quote:
Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll
There are already checks in place through the city inspection system and the current restrictions on what can be done under a home owner's permit. The contractor requirement has absolutely nothing to do with safety or ability, it is simply to drive money to businesses that the government has sole say in approving. I'm allowed to trench my property, sometimes in close proximity to natural gas lines, run 240v electrical lines, hook them and power them on myself, but I have to have an approved contractor install some insulation or a window?
When it comes to correct installation, that risk is basically fully borne by the homeowner. If I buy a set of windows that qualify for a rebate and don't install them right, the only loser in the long run is me, since I won't wind up getting their full benefit. All that will happen is that you might wind up saving the labor cost on an install, as opposed to having the actual material cost lowered. I also wouldn't be very shocked if Ecofit is one of the first to be approved to facilitate the program.
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The issue is that the rebate is being given to reduce carbon emissions. If you fail to do it properly you shouldn't get the rebate and therefore the loser is the province if they are installed incorrectly.
Im not sure forcing contractors to do it is the right thing to do but the quality of work does need to be assured in some way or there is no point to having the program.