If your heating or air cooling system is acting up, or if it just needs a routine tune-up, you want to make sure you call an HVAC company that has qualified, experienced, trustworthy technicians available to help you. But how can you separate the reputable companies from the swindlers?
Well, your google search for “technicians near me” will be better able to serve you if you do your research, ask the right questions, and read customer reviews.
Do Your Research
Research is imperative in choosing a reputable HVAC technician. First and foremost, you’ll want to check that a technician is licensed and insured, and well qualified for the job you need.
This may require you to do some research on your central heating or cooling system including the brand, model, size, and maintenance history of your unit.
The next thing you’ll need to look into is which heating and AC companies serve the area where you live. You can do all the right research to find a great technician, but if you live outside of their service area, it won’t do you any good.
Finally, it’s essential to find out if the technician you are hiring has a current license to work. It’s also important to make sure the HVAC company has liability insurance and offers workers compensation, otherwise you as the homeowner could be held responsible if the technician has an accident in your home. You are entitled to see a license number for the technician, as well as a certificate of insurance from the company if you ask for them.
Ask The Right Questions
After you’ve done all your research, and you’ve selected a company in your area you think could be a good fit for you, it’s time to start asking questions. Don’t be afraid to get specific!
Here are some examples of specific questions you should ask of an HVAC service before hiring them:
“What kinds of services do you offer?” If they only do repairs, and you need a new unit installed, for example, this is not the company for you.
“What is the process for a particular service like?” or “How long should this job take?” Find out what you can expect from a job before they begin, including the estimated completion time.
“Is there more than one option for repairing my HVAC system?” Asking for other options can save you time and money on a service.
Read Reviews
It’s important that you also take into account, before hiring a technician for any job, what their previous customers think about their services.
Most HVAC companies have a reviews page on their website that you can browse through before calling them. You may want to cross-reference those reviews with ones you find on other sites, such as Google or Yelp, to get a more rounded view.
It may also be helpful to talk to your friends and neighbors and see if they can recommend an HVAC company they’ve had a good experience with. This way you can compare services, reviews, and prices from a few different companies, to make sure you find the best technician for you.
