Intro:
Every home and business have some form of HVAC system. There are complicated ones, modern ones and older ones, but they all need to be maintained. HVAC maintenance should be left to professionals. There is always the question of what HVAC contractor you should hire to complete the work, and how do you choose?
Get an in-home estimate.
In order for an HVAC contractor to get a complete picture of what needs to be completed, and to see the equipment that is in the home, they need to attend the home in person. There are some things that can be done over the phone, but many questions can be answered by having a technician assess the system in person. Some things the contractor will consider is the square footage of the building. This will allow them to understand the area that is air is being circulated through, and if the current system is up to the task. THE R-Value of your insulation and the number of windows in the space can affect how well your system is doing its job. During a building inspection an HVAC contractor will check for leaks in the ducts, loose insulation, and whether the duct work appears dirty.
Referrals and reviews:
When looking for an HVAC contractor referrals and reviews are a great way to check out any potential hires. Personal referrals are the best, especially if it comes from someone you trust. They can tell you their personal experience, the good the bad and the ugly. This is a way for contractors to show case their work, and those with nothing to hide will have no problem with providing you with testimonials. Online reviews are another good way to gain information about a company. There is some risk with using only online reviews as many people will only review a company when they are angry and often the positive reviews are not as plentiful.
Licensed workers
Reputable contractors will hire licensed and qualified workers. Ask to see the qualifications of anyone that will be working in the building, not just the qualifications of the person on the phone. Each municipality, and state may have different qualifications, so ensure that the workers meet the requirements for your area. When there is more extensive work being done on your HVAC system, check if your HVAC contractor sub-contracts at all, and that anyone they are contracting to is also certified to local standards.
HVAC contractors should have experience:
Understanding that everyone needs to gain experience in order to grow in their profession is important. But hiring a contractor with experience is crucial. Businesses or companies that are serious about sustainability often pair an experienced technician with an apprentice to ensure each customer is getting quality work. Risking your system and its performance on an unsupervised novice is not recommended.
Get a written estimate.
There was a time when a handshake was a person’s bond and a contract. When hiring an HVAC contractor, it is important to get the estimate in writing. The complexity of HVAC systems has increased and there may be more work than originally thought once a technician gets in there. Having a written contract will hold the HVAC contractor accountable to ensuring that all the work is completed, accurate, on time, and on budget.
Questions you can ask a HVAC contractor
• What is your training and experience?
• What are the standards and credentials of your technicians?
• Can you provide me with some references?
• When can you schedule an on-site inspection?
• Do you have payment options?
• How do you negotiate any unforeseen issues?
. How do you negotiate price changes?
. How do you negotiate timeline changes?
• Have you worked on the same system as mine before?
• Does your work have a warranty?
Conclusion:
Hiring an HVAC contractor is the best way to ensure that your system is up to date and running at optimal levels. Be sure that you do your due diligence in hiring a contractor by reading online reviews, seeking referrals and checking on references when they are offered. Don’t be afraid to vet companies to ensure they are meeting local/state requirements and standards.