Jeff R. – Page 11 – Heat Cool Repair

Whether you want to install a new HVAC system, repair your current one or simply want to purchase a maintenance agreement, you should make sure that the company you hire has the knowledge, tools and experience you need. In other words, you need to know that they are true professionals. There are many individuals that will pretend to be experienced with HVAC installation or repair, but many of these are merely weekend experts who have questionable skills and who use second-rate parts. There are several things to look for when choosing your HVAC professional. State Requirements Learn what the licensing requirements are in your state for HVAC technicians and find out if the company you are considering meets the requirements and has been licensed. Also, find out if the state requires insurance and bonding. References Ask the company if it can offer you references. If they take offense, move on to the next company. If they do offer references, call the references and ask about the quality of the service they received. Estimates Ask the company if they give printed estimates for all work. Having a written estimate before work is done protects you from “surprises.” Any professional should be willing to do this. Complaints Most states have a way for customers to lodge complaints against contactors. Check with the state to learn if there are complaints against a contractor you are considering and what the nature of the complaints are. Employee Background Checks In recent years there have been a number of cases in which criminals have sought employment with HVAC companies for the purpose of gaining access to homes. For this reason, you should confirm that any HVAC contractor you hire performs full background checks on its employees. Given the number of amateurs out there pretending to be HVAC experts, if you are going to protect yourself and your investment you should ensure that the people you hire are fully qualified to do the work. Doing this requires a bit of research, but the peace of mind you will get will make it well worth the effort.