It always seems that heating systems wait until the coldest day of winter to develop a fault and break down. This serendipity is the main reason you should have your system maintained and any repairs performed before the cold weather arrives. If you wait, then you may find that the coldest night of the year feels the longest. While you may consider yourself to be a DIY expert and be tempted to try and save some money, HVAC repairs should be strictly left to certified professionals. Before you start calling around, you need to consider which is the best option an independent HVAC contractor or a HVAC company.
The Independent HVAC Contractor:
There are many advantages associated with hiring an independent HVAC contractor. You will develop a relationship with the contractor, and they will be familiar with the specific quirks of your system. When you use an independent contractor to perform all servicing and maintenance, they will also know the history of your system and be aware of previous problems or issues. The main disadvantage of relying on an independent contractor is that when you have an emergency situation they may well be out on another job. You may also find that the contractor becomes fully booked during the colder winter months, so you may need to wait a while before they can come to perform any repairs.
The HVAC Company:
With a HVAC company, you may find a different technician arrives every time you place a call for repairs, but there will be at least one contractor available to respond to any heating emergency issues. While you may be concerned that the technician may not be familiar with your system, the previous contractor will have completed a field service report. This paperwork allows the team to check the service and repair history of your system before coming out to perform any diagnostics or repairs. Although you may find that you develop a more personalized relationship with an independent contractor and could even pay a little less for their services, there is no guarantee that they will be available for immediate assistance.
Which is Best?
Although the opportunity to save a few dollars by using an independent contractor may be tempting, you may end up regretting this cost cutting in the event of an emergency. While the independent contractor is likely to value your business, they also value all of their other customers, so service is often provided on a first come first served basis. This structure means that even if you are left shivering in the cold, the contractor cannot fit you into their schedule for a couple of days.
HVAC companies may be less personal, but they can be relied on to offer service when you need them. As the company has a full team of contractors, you are likely to find that they have longer working hours. This flexibility means that even if your heating breaks down at 8 am on a Sunday morning, there is a greater likelihood of getting someone out to help you quickly.