Definition Mechanical Contractor

tmino

I'm sorry to infiltrate this forum, but I thought you guys could help me with a question I had. What's the difference between a mechanical contractor and a plumber? Aren't both the same?

Thanks.

send_it_all

A mechanical contractor works on all of the mechanical systems of a building...Plumbing, Heating/Air, and I believe some electrical as well.

aWorkaHolic

Mechanical Contractors deal with HVAC=Low voltage wiring/Plumbing/Programing Circuits and repairs more into the commercial field.

You really can't compare them to your average plumber.

randomkiller

Mechanical contractors handle piping, electric (low/line),
controls, ductwork, associated with the installation of mechanical systems (chillers/boilers/pumps/drives/cogens)

Check out www.emcorgroup.com

Michaeljp86

A mechanical contractor does do electrical and plumbing but just on the system they are working on. They do heating, AC, and ventalation. Most plumbers are also mechanical contractors which is why most people think plumbers do HVAC. I worked with a mechanical contractor yesterday and today on a cold storage building used for apples on a farm. He was running 2 1/8" copper tubing for the freon. I did the electrical work on getting the power to the compressor and to the fans.

tmino

Thanks guys, appreciate it.

Herk

When I was a young apprentice working for a mechanical contractor, I assembled boilers, cut black pipe for heat lines, learned to read blueprints, worked in commercial-only environments. I installed sprinkler systems, was even jobbed out one time to a major fire sprinkler company. I fitted for a welder putting in 4" steel pipe for fluid transfer; I installed rooftop hvac units - geez, I did a lot of stuff.

Since I left there and over many years did plumbing, I've plumbed houses, small commercial, small apartments, and so on.

MechanicalDVR

Depends on the size and type mechanical contractor. Plumbers usually say plumbing and heating in their ads, that's why people think they do HVAC.

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Michaeljp86

Correct me if Im wrong but dont those plumbers who say that have both a plumbers license and mechanical license???????

KillerToiletSpider

What the hell is a mechanical liscense?

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mdshunk

I'm not sure what a "mechanical license" might be. Never heard of such.

The principles in mechanical contracting outfits normally have several licenses of their own, and their men have a great variety of licenses. I thnk of mechanical contractors as "plumbers with brains". They do plumbing, pipe welding, gaswork, fire sprinkler, ductwork, hvac, refrigeration, controls, automation, and electrical. They touch everything that makes a building "tick". They don't normally do all that work on the same job, but they have the ability to do so. Mechanical contractor = plumber plus one or several other related trades.

On a job where a mechanical contractor is working, there might also be a plumbing contractor and an electrical contractor doing the major plumbing and electrical work. The mechanical contractor, in that case, takes care of whatever plumbing and electrical is necessary to facilitate his work (like the heating or air conditioning, for instance), with little or no involvement of the plumber or electrician on the job.

Michaeljp86

Here in michigan there is a electrical contractor license, plumbing contractor license, and a mechanical contractor license. Mechanical is HVAC, no plumbing or electrical.