I had a contractor at my house today to discuss installing a Geo DX System for a 2000 sq ft house.
This guy just got certified by EarthLinked and has been an HVAC installer for about 10 years.  This would be his first install.  He hasn't provided me a quote yet, just took dimensions of my house for a Manual J Load assessment.

Am I insane using a 'first timer'?  He said that EarthLinked would come in to supervise the installation since he is a new certified contractor.

What kind of 'discount' should I get for take on the additional risk?  What's it worth?

Maybe.

It would scare me unless I educated myself to the point where I could confirm / verify / question every move by the installer. I would strive to do so in a collaborative rather than confrontational kind of way.

I doubt a discount is appropriate to ask for in this situation. The serial number one installer will almost certainly take a bath as he / she works through the install. The last thing you want to do is beat him down over price simply because he's green.

What you DO need to do is insure to your own satisfaction that the system as finally deployed is sized, installed, zoned, and ducted as applicable to give you the premium result you seek, regardless of how long it takes the installer to get it right.

Critical to this may be the depth and breadth of support Earthlinked provides your newbie installer on his serial number one. In your place I would interview the Earthlinked zone rep or whatever title he goes by to guage the depth of his / Earthlinked's commitment to ensuring that your serial No. 1 system works well.

Suggest that if they put forth the required effort to dial it in you will serve as a good reference to bolster their sale of future systems in your area. That is a good symbiotic arrangement that should potentially benefit both parties.

Conversely, do not hesitate to indicate that you will hold the system team (newbie contractor + Earthlinked) to a high standard of installation and performance in exchange for the risk you are about to take, and imply (subtly) that you will trash their butt in every available media outlet if they screw up and then try to leave you high and dry. (save that last option for later if things go south)

Who from EarthLinked will be "watching over"? I'm more than happy to answer questions about it for you. Where are you located?

The EarthLinked DX system is such a simple way to accomplish geo, you'll be happy with it. I agree with engineer. All in all, if you follow that advice, ask us questions, and make sure it's installed to EarthLinked's specs, you'll love your geo system.

Keep us up to date on the project.

The person 'supposed' to monitor that the install is done correctly is Mel Hensch, who is the Sales Rep for the Northeast. I'm in CT.
Thanks.

You'll be in good hands. Really all Mel needs to do is make sure your installer follows specs. He's been trained, so if he has questions, it's Mel's job to keep him in the right on the install. Whenever we have a new dealer, we try to be there for the first installation. It's really straight forward on the installation.

Like I said, feel free to post any questions you have.

Have your soil checked for ph. CT is one state that I have heard of problems with copper due to ph! If ph is OK, then DX is OK.


SR