Having a working HVAC system is critical in most locations. You don’t want to burn up in the summer or freeze in the winter, so you need help maintaining your home’s climate. That’s why the yearly demand for units is 111 systems.
Unfortunately, these systems don’t always work as intended. You may sometimes need to hire a pro to get things working again.
A great HVAC contractor can be the difference between a working HVAC unit and a poor experience. Ask the five HVAC contractor questions below to ensure the person you hire can meet your HVAC needs.
1. Do You Have Local Licenses?
A contracting company can’t operate in an area if it doesn’t get approval. Each area has a unique set of building codes. If you don’t know those codes and how to do the job correctly, the local government doesn’t want you working there.
That’s why you need a license to work in most trades. Getting a license proves to the government that you know the rules and can do the job. Ask to see the license of an HVAC contractor before you hire them.
2. Which Services Do You Offer
Not every HVAC contractor offers every service. Some individuals don’t have the means to handle large jobs and installations, so they focus on small repair jobs. They’re great if you want good service at a fair price.
There are also larger companies that hire HVAC experts to handle every service. You may pay more money, but you can be assured that the people those companies hire are experts and can handle any need you have.
3. Do You Have a Warranty?
HVAC work doesn’t always go as planned. Even if a worker does a great job, the problem may be more serious than expected, or you may end up with faulty parts. You don’t want to lose even more money when this happens.
You need to hire an HVAC company that stands by its work. See what kind of warranty a commercial HVAC technician offers and compare it to the standard warranties in the HVAC industry.
4. What Are Your Rates
HVAC repairs can get expensive. Labor is expensive these days, and new HVAC units cost a lot of money. That’s why it pays to learn all your pricing options before you pick a provider.
Yes, you want to save as much money as possible. But don’t automatically pick the cheapest options since you don’t know about the quality you’ll get. Research each company’s quality and pick the contractor that offers the most value for the service they offer.
5. Who Handles the Work?
Some contracting companies hire employees on the payroll. They vet everyone’s skills and take on the risk of hiring people. However, not every company works this way.
Some companies send contractors to homes instead of hiring people. This practice isn’t bad on its own, but you need to ensure an HVAC company vets those people and informs you about what’s happening.
Do Your Due Diligence When Hiring an HVAC Contractor
You need a great HVAC contractor when you face issues with your home’s climate. Even though some issues are easy to fix on your own, others require special expertise to resolve.
This won’t happen if you don’t hire HVAC contractors with the right experience. Make sure you ask the HVAC questions above to determine if a company has the experience needed for the job.
Check out the blog for more advice to help you handle other common homeownership issues.