Your HVAC system is the heart of your home and it is very important if it needs to be repaired, needs maintenance or needs to be replaced, you have the right HVAC contractor working for you. Below you will find our top 10 questions you should ask any air conditioning contractor that is providing an estimate on your system.
The response should be long enough to have a portfolio of satisfied customers. While years of experience are important to develop a skill, so is a solid track record of happy clients. However if the company is new and the owners have worked in the area for a long time, they should still have a list of satisfied customers. I would be leary of a new company only if they have NOT been in the area very long or have established themselves within the community. Although longevity is no guarantee of quality, generally a company that has stayed in business over the years should have developed a reputation and continues to grow. Typically companies that do not live up to their services will not be in business very long.
All air conditioner repair and installation contractors are required to be licensed in the state of Texas. Ask to see a copy of it. If you have a doubt you may contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
General liability insurance covers damage to your property as a result of their work. Workers compensation covers an employee who may have be injured during the course of business on your property. If the contractor uses independent subcontractors or does not carry workman’s compensation then you would be liable if an injury were to occur.
This gives you the assurance the job will be done to code. It affords a third party to approve the work.
Most air conditioner service contractors guaranteed their work for at least one year. In addition a manufacturers part warranties may vary between manufacturers with some warranties going as long as 10 years.
First you want to know who your main contact will be. Second, you want to know how the job will be supervised. Will a foreman be assigned that is different from your main contact? The important thing is to feel comfortable with your air conditioner service contractor. In addition you would like to know what the work schedule will be, and how long it may take and how they minimize dust and debris as well as clean up.
Will you provide written references or testimonials? A good air conditioning contractor will be able to provide a list of references or testimonials. You can also check their record at the local better business bureau. This will give you a dispute resolution mechanism.
Do they accept credit cards, or personal checks? Some companies want a partial payment to get started. Others expect payment at the completion of the job. You want to avoid making full payment before the job starts.
Every profession can have had a difficult customer. What you want to hear is how the problem gets resolved. Is there a method to handle a dispute such as mediation? The Better Business Bureau is a good platform to utilize in the event of a dispute.
Your contractor should have experience with your type of repair or installation before. You want to get an idea of how much that experience actually constitutes. That will minimize on the job training, and keep the billable hours down. Getting an estimate of the amount of time it will take up front will give you an idea of if and when you need to be there and plan accordingly. By asking these questions and getting good solid answers, you should be able to tell if you are dealing with a top-notch AC contractor or a rip-off artist who is ready to skip town with your money!
