There are at least 7 HVAC scams that dishonest HVAC contractors run on unsuspecting homeowners.
Don’t fall prey to their tricks. Before you hire an HVAC contractor read our 5 tips to ensure the ac contractor will give you quality work for a fair price.
1. Ask for Referrals
Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they have any recommendations. Or post the question on Facebook with the “looking for recommendations” tag.
If you aren’t able to get a referral that way, turn to well-known review-based websites. Make sure the positive feedback is dated from the past 12 months. If the company has limited or no reviews, keep looking.
Look for a company that has been in business for at least 5 years – the longer the better.
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2. Do your Research
Once you have settled on a shortlist of heating and cooling contractors, it’s time to do some research.
Before anything else, find out the make and model of your current system and maintenance history. If the temperature doesn’t feel right in a certain room, let your ac expert know. It will give your potential contractor a better understanding of your heating and cooling needs.
Check the contractor’s status with the Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce or Department of Consumer Affairs. This will tell you if there are complaints against their license.
Contact the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and ask them about the HVAC installer’s reputation.
You can also find out if the ac contractors are registered with NATE (North American Technician Excellence). Or if they are members of the NDACA trade union. Either of these can help you feel confident in hiring that AC contractor for your home.
Keep in mind, however, that heating and cooling contractors might not have these affiliations and still be honest and reputable. Go ahead and ask that HVAC Company for references. Call their clients and find out about their customer service, promptness, professionalism and so on.
3. Ask your HVAC Contractor Questions
You should always ask any and all questions you have before you invite an HVAC contractor into your residence.
Some answers to your questions may be listed on their website. If not, call and ask your questions. Here are a few questions you might want to consider asking.
Are you licensed?
It is important to check your contractor’s license. This protects you if something goes wrong because most homeowner insurance policies will not cover damage from work unlicensed professionals.
Licensing requires continuing education to keep up with current technology and techniques.
Using a licensed professional means you will be getting the best work possible.
Are you insured?
Reputable contractors have general liability insurance. This protects both the contractor and you. Do not be shy about asking to see proof of insurance.
you do not want to pay the bill if someone is hurt or there is any property damage.
Do you Offer Emergency Service?
If your heating stops working during a winter storm, you want to be able to get a contractor in right away. Find out if they offer 24-hour service. Ask them if phone support is available 24/7.
What Brands do you Carry?
Ask what specific manufacturers or brands they carry. Later when you are comparing quotes, you want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
If you have a specific brand you want to use, this may remove some HVAC contractors from the running.
How long have you been doing business under the same name?
Sometimes, if an HVAC contractor gets a bad reputation, he or she may start operating under a new name to get a clean slate. You should look for a company that has been working under the same name for more than five years.
Do you Provide a Warranty for your Work?
It is common to have warranties on parts and equipment from the manufacturer. However, it is just as important to have a guarantee on the quality of work. You should be very wary of any HVAC contractor who does not offer a warranty on his or her work.
Do you offer a payment schedule?
Before you agree to have any work done, find out if your HVAC installer offers a payment plan.
Some job may come with a hefty price tag, especially when installing a new unit.
Find out if the company provides financing options or has an equal payment plan to help you pay the bill.
If you do decide to use their payment plan or financing, make sure to read the fine print.
Once you’re satisfied that the companies you are researching are reputable and safe, it’s time to look into pricing.
4. Get a Written Estimate
You can expect your HVAC installer to identify your needs and provide you with an estimate. A good ac expert will come to your home to do a free evaluation to find out what your needs are.
Once the HVAC company has been out to assess your circumstances, ask them for an itemized estimate in writing. This is like a contract that binds the contractor to the price and to the individual services you will be getting.
All written estimates should include be detailed and include materials that will be used, labor costs, anticipated project start and end dates. Ask how long the job will take and how much disruption your family should expect.
You should also make sure you are all in agreement about cleanup, building permits and so on.
5. Compare Quotes
Always get written estimates for several heating and cooling contractors before making a decision.
Consider eliminating any companies whose quote is much higher or lower than the others. If a bid is too low, it may be because they install used parts or hire inexperienced personnel to complete the work. If a price is very high, they may be overcharging for their work.
When comparing the quotes, keep in mind cost-saving variables such as the energy efficiency of the new unit, warranties, and when the company can begin work.
Examine the deposit each company requires carefully. By law, a deposit cannot be more than one-third of the total price.
Did you like these tips? Read more here.
Do you Need to Hire an HVAC contractor?
While you may think that a malfunctioning HVAC unit means you have to call in the professionals, many common HVAC problems can be problem-solved on your own.
Here are 3 easy problems to fix yourself.
Replace Filter
If you hear your AC unit running constantly but the temperature doesn’t cool down in your home, chances are you have a dirty filter. A clogged, dirty filter prevents the AC unit from properly cooling your home down.
The unit also has to work continuously to try to reach the set temperature. This can damage your unit and cause expensive issues.
Replacing a filter is simple. Your HVAC unit’s owner’s manual or the side of the unit will tell you what filter is best for you model.
Purchase a 3-pack and set a reminder on your phone to change the filter every 3 months. This will ensure your AC is running at peak efficiency.
Thermostat Settings
Though it may seem obvious, many common HVAC problems are related to the thermostat settings.
If these settings are not set up correctly, your unit will not perform the way you want.
Check your thermostat to see if the right time is displaying. Then check the run schedule to make sure that your thermostat is programmed to the right temperature for each period of the day.
You may want different temperatures overnight or on the weekend. You may even be able to install an app on your smartphone that lets you control your thermostat when you are not home.
Uneven Cooling
You may notice that the HVAC unit cools part of your home, but other areas never reach the right temperature.
This issue may have nothing to do with your AC unit. Likely, there are some closed vents in that area of the house or sealing issues that allow cold air to escape.
Once you identify the room or rooms in your home that don’t cool down enough, check the vents and registers. Next, check the windows and see if you can seal off escaping air.
Depending on which direction those rooms face, it may be that they are getting the hottest, most direct sunlight and so are much hotter than other rooms. Consider UV blocking curtains or shades.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed these 5 tips for hiring an HVAC contractor.
Remember, doing some work before you hire a company can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches in the long run. It is important to choose a reputable company that will do quality work at a fair price.
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