Entering the market for HVAC work is tough. Just googling the phrase will likely pull up thousands of sites and listings for providers that service your area.
There are as many as 112,000 HVAC providers in the U.S.!
But how do you know what to look for? And if you wanted to get take a look into a couple of them, what would you even ask?
Looking for a good HVAC service technician shouldn’t be scary. That’s what we hope to do here: help you figure out what’s important to ask an HVAC service.
1. Are You Licensed, Bonded and Insured?
I know that seems like three questions in one, and it is. But at the core of all these questions is whether or not these organizations have set aside the cash needed to protect you from their work should anything go awry.
Some states, cities, and counties require special licenses to provided skilled services.
Being bonded means that the company has paid for a monetary product that the company can’t control directly but can pa out in case there is a claim filed against the company, regardless of the financial health of the organization.
Being insured is self-explanatory — does the organization have insurance for itself and its work.
If an organization says no to having any one of these, this is a red flag. Take caution.
2. What Is Your Warranty-And-Guarantee Policy?
If they don’t have one, bounce on to the next provider.
An HVAC service technician and company that’s worth hiring will be proud to do good work that will last. If they aren’t willing to stand by their work for at least a certain amount of time, that shows that they have a history of shoddy work or not being willing to put in extra work to fix a previous mistake.
3. What’s in Your Quote? Will You Stand by It?
Asking what is specifically quoted will reveal what they are looking for. Further, asking these questions will reveal how much thought actually goes into these quotes.
It also shows you where the flexibility in the quote will be. The unknown is often time spent doing the work. And this is often what drives up the price.
Ask a provider to stand by a quote is also a way to show on the outset that you won’t stand for funny business when the technician actually wraps up the work.
4. Who Will Do My Quote?
Ask whether or not a salesman or a technician will provide the quote.
A salesman does not require the same skills training and certification that a technician is required to have. So, a technician, someone who may actually do the work, will have a better idea of how to estimate the cost of the service you need.
Don’t Be Afraid of the HVAC Service Technician
HVAC services are as complicated as they are necessary. But that doesn’t mean that your local HVAC service technician is out to rip anyone off.
It’s honest work and most want to do an honest job of it. But ensuring that you but a little extra thought into your conversations with these techs will ensure that you get what you need at the price you need it.
Still worried? Give us a call!