Do you need to have your HVAC system repaired? Make sure that you hire a qualified professional who will not make the problem worse. Here are some tips that will help you to choose the best HVAC contractor:
Consider the Experience
When it comes to choosing an HVAC contractor, experience matters but it is not the only thing you should consider. The problem with experts who have a lot of experience is that they are set in their ways. You should be wary of a contractor who is unwilling to embrace change because the HVAC industry is ever changing.
The newer HVAC technologies are more efficient and save on money. For this reason, you need to hire a contractor who understands newer, cutting-edge technology. Whether you want to install a new heating system or repair an old one, you should hire a contractor with a computer background.
Read Google Reviews but Avoid Yelp
Because Google does not filter reviews, it is hard to write fake ones. This means that it is a reliable source of reviews when you are looking for a contractor. On the other hand, Yelp filters reviews, making it harder to find bad reviews. Make sure that you use Google to research your local HVAC contractors before you choose one.
Be Wary of Contractors Who Give Quotes over the Phone
No two HVAC systems are the same, which means that over-the-phone estimates are impractical. A technician cannot see all the problems over the phone; he has to look at them in person. If a contractor gives you an estimate over the phone, he is either inexperienced or lazy.
When a contractor comes to look at your system, you need to be wary if he gives a bid without surveying your entire house. A good and qualified contractor will walk through the entire house and get into crawl spaces to inspect your house properly.
Get a Written Estimate or Bid
Some contractors prefer to give bids verbally but that is not a good idea. To make sure that you get into a legal binding contract, you should ask for a written bid. Any reputable HVAC contractor will give you a written bid. Make sure that the bid includes every service that the contractor will do and the prices.
Be Wary of the Lowest Bidder
When it comes to installing a new HVAC system, you should not skimp when hiring a contractor. If your bargain contractor installs the system incorrectly, it might not cool and heat your home properly or it might just stop working altogether. When a contractor offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, you should keep looking if you do not want to pay for it later.
The best thing you can do is get multiple bids then pick one contractor. Ultimately, it will be cheaper for you to choose a reputable contractor right off the bat. It would be better to do it right the first time to avoid of uninstalling and reinstalling the entire system.
Choose a Licensed Contractor
Nowadays, too many contractors claim to be licensed when they are actually unlicensed. Because there is too much at stake, you should choose a licensed contractor to install your system. A licensed contractor knows how to manipulate electrical, gas, and plumbing lines.
An unlicensed contractor cannot offer insurance on the job, which means that you will have to pay for any damage that he causes.
Conclusion
When choosing an HVAC contractor, you need to follow your gut and conduct research. You should not take the job of choosing a contractor lightly – research is very important.
I’ve been looking for services to assist my sister with her plans to install a new heating system for her home. It’s a good thing I came across your blog because you said how important it is to take the contractors’ experience into account to make sure they have the knowledge and abilities necessary for the job. I appreciate you sharing this. This is something I’ll surely bear in mind while picking a residential HVAC contractor to assist her.
My sister recently relocated and has been preparing to put in a new heating system. Thank you for the recommendation to make sure a new contractor is qualified before hiring them. By doing so, they can guarantee proper system installation and prevent additional problems. I appreciate you sharing!
My air conditioning is broken and I need to hire a service to repair it. Thanks for mentioning the importance of hiring a licensed contractor. I’ll be sure to only hire an HVAC service that is licensed.
This post useful for everyone.
It got me when you said that a reputable HVAC contractor should be able to provide you with a written bid that will include the prices of the services that they will do for you. We need to have our furnace repaired because it keeps on making popping sounds that can totally be distracting at night. There are also times that it’s shutting down for no reason. Since we don’t want to be surprised with unwanted charges, we’ll do all your tips.
I like that you can use Google and other review sites to find an HVAC contractor that’s reliable because it’s important to research first. My husband and I want to have our air conditioning unit serviced. Since the other night, it has not been producing cool air due to clogged filters. We never had it serviced, and we don’t want its problem to get worse. We’ll do all your tips.
It sure was helpful when you suggested hiring an HVAC contractor that’s experienced and willing to embrace changes in the HVAC industry. My husband and I want to have our air conditioning unit repaired because it has been making unusual sounds, and we think that it has parts that need to be replaced. We want to make sure that it’s going to be repaired efficiently so we won’t have the same AC problem again. Thanks for sharing this.
I like the tip that you gave to choose a contractor who is properly licensed. My furnace needs to be serviced, and I want to be confident in my decision to hire them. I will be sure to check their licensing before I decide to hire them, so I can know that they are a good fit for me.
I like the tip that you gave to choose a contractor who is properly licensed. My air conditioning went out this morning, and I want to hire a reliable contractor to service it for me. I will be sure to check if a contractor is licensed before I hire them, so I can be confident that I can trust them with the work.