One of the more important and most ignored aspects of home maintenance is a proactive approach to essential HVAC servicing. Sadly, many homeowners and business owners ignore their heating and cooling systems until something goes wrong. This degrades the performance and energy efficiency and it will raise the costs of repairs over the lifespan of the system. Poorly maintained systems tend to fail earlier and this can lead to an unexpected HVAC system replacement. In this article, we will take a closer look at six things that you need to know before you hire an HVAC contractor.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional
At the moment, many people are struggling to manage their finances and it’s natural to look for ways to save money. As we’ve established in the introduction to this article, ignoring HVAC essential maintenance is not an option. So, it is inevitable that people will be tempted to try DIY maintenance and repairs to save money.
This is a mistake because many components in the system are sensitive and it’s easy to damage them if you don’t know what you’re doing. It takes years to train an HVAC technician and gain the experience required to work on heating and cooling systems safely. Every HVAC specialist has a story about being called out to a home to fix a botched DIY repair. This is always more expensive than it would have been to hire a professional contract in the first place. There are also safety considerations and if you’re unused to working on this type of equipment can be dangerous. Always hire an HVAC contractor to work on your expensive HVAC equipment to protect your investment and promote safety.
1. Insist on a Professional License
Hiring a professional HVAC contractor with licensure is essential if your project requires a permit from the local building department. With a fresh HVAC system installation, a licensed contractor is a must to pull the necessary permit. A professional license is also a signifier that you can trust the contractor to work on your heating and cooling system safely. The licensing board oversees the issue and renewal of HVAC licenses and years of relevant experience are required to meet the standards. There are also comprehensive examinations that must be passed to test the knowledge of potential contractors. Any reputable HVAC contractor will be happy to show you their license and if they won’t this is a sure sign that something is wrong.
2. Are Free Estimates Offered?
Some HVAC companies will prepare a free estimate for clients, but this is not a requirement. Many companies will charge a service fee for the work that’s performed on site and this can include the preparation of an estimate too. Certain HVAC companies will offer a free estimate for installations, but this same courtesy is not extended to repairs. Before you choose a HVAC contractor make sure that you fully understand their policies on free estimates. This will help you to avoid any hidden costs and a reputable HVAC company will be happy to share this information with you.
3. Does the HVAC Contactor Have a Great Reputation?
We are lucky to live in a world where we have access to all kinds of useful information. This extends to businesses and it’s easy to search for companies that have a solid reputation. When you’re researching a potential HVAC contractor, look at the reviews from previous clients to see what they have to say.
The best companies always focus on customer service and they work hard to keep their clients happy. This is the only tried and tested method to build a solid reputation in-person and online. Check the HVAC company website for testimonials and third party sites like the Better Business Bureau too. There will always be a few negative reviews because you cannot please everyone and some people have unreasonable demands and expectations. But, with further reading, you should be able to spot a pattern that indicates that you’re dealing with a good HVAC company.
4. Will the HVAC Company Match Competitor Installation Prices?
There is no getting around the fact that a new HVAC system installation is a considerable investment. So, it’s important to hire a company that will charge a fair price for the installation. Ideally, you would want to work with an HVAC contractor that offers a price match guarantee if you find a better installation price elsewhere. This price match offer demonstrates that the company is confident in its competitive pricing structure.
5. Will the Company Install Energy Efficient Equipment?
Energy efficiency is now at the forefront of many people’s minds due to dramatic energy prices in the past few years. The annual heating and cooling costs can be significant and installing energy efficient equipment is a great way to reduce these costs. A good HVAC company can conduct an energy audit and install high efficiency heating and cooling systems for you. The initial costs will be higher, but these costs can be recouped quickly with lower energy bills with no loss in performance.
6. Does the Company Offer Financing?
Carrying out a major HVAC repair or installing a new system can be expensive and many people don’t have that type of cash lying around. To make these larger projects more manageable many reputable HVAC companies offer financing options. They may have low-interest or even zero interest rates for their clients. Financing can be a huge help when it comes to budgeting and they can help you to get urgent work done with limited delays.
In Conclusion
Working with a professional HVAC contractor is the best way to install, repair and maintain your heating and cooling equipment. These systems represent a considerable investment and it makes good sense to protect that investment. Ask your prospective HVAC contractor about maintenance plans to reduce the costs of regular essential maintenance.
If you’re considering an HVAC installation, repair, or maintenance for your system, contact your local heating and cooling specialist.