If you’re convinced it’s time to invest in an HVAC system, it’s also time to make sure you entrust this service to the right HVAC company. Whether it’s for your home or business, having an HVAC unit installed can create a much more comfortable space. During times of extreme heat or cold, these units can even prove to be life-saving. At the very least, they help you and your family sleep at night, or they keep your team comfortable while they work.
You need to be sure you’re enlisting an experienced, professional, and trustworthy HVAC firm right from the get-go. Otherwise, you risk ineffective or poor quality work or even an incomplete job.
To help you make sure the HVAC firm you entrust for these important services is the right one for the job, here are seven important questions to ask before hiring them. Be sure to make a list of all of these questions or refer back to this post before hiring contractors to work on your home or business. The answers could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars!
7 Questions to Ask Your HVAC Firm Before Hiring Them
Don’t be afraid to ask an HVAC business any of these questions. If they are reluctant to answer them, consider this a red flag. A reputable and trustworthy company should be proud to answer these questions. If something feels off about the information they’re providing you or you have any other concerns, we encourage you to continue your search elsewhere.
Is there a diagnosis cost to determine the problem with my HVAC system?
Once your A/C unit is installed, there is a chance that down the road it may need repairs. Whether it’s a strange sound you’ve noticed or the system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, there are several possible culprits. If you plan to call the HVAC business that installed the unit for these repairs, you will want to know if there is an additional cost for diagnosing the problem in addition to fixing it, if you go that route.
In many cases, an HVAC business charges a basic service call fee that includes the cost of diagnosing the issue with your A/C unit. Then, depending on the labor and parts required to fix the problem, there will be an additional fee. To save you any unexpected costs, be sure to find out if the diagnosis cost is included in the service call cost or if this is a separate fee.
What HVAC brands do you recommend (and carry)?
Even if they are installed by experienced technicians, if HVAC products aren’t made with high-quality materials from trusted brands, they have a much greater chance of failing or causing problems. Before you hire an HVAC institution, inquire about the brands they recommend and carry. Then, do your own research into these brands to make sure they are well regarded in the industry.
(Click here to see some of the brands AC Care HVAC Services carries and recommends)
Can I see a copy of your HVAC contractor’s license?
It’s also very important to make sure the HVAC crew working on your home or business has current contractor’s licenses. When air conditioner contractors are properly licensed and certified, you will have the peace of mind they have had appropriate training and experience to work on your installation. It means they have met certain industry standards. It also means they have maintained those standards as time has gone on. That’s why it’s important not only for contractors to be licensed but to be sure their licensing is up to date.
Many businesses, including our own, list their license number directly on their website. This saves clients the work of having to contact an HVAC institution to request this information ahead of time.
Can you provide me details of your liability insurance?
In addition to being sure an HVAC agency is licensed, you also want to be sure they are adequately insured.
If you hire an unlicensed contractor, they also won’t have the proper liability insurance in place. That means, in the event, they or someone on their crew is hurt on your worksite, you are responsible for the damages! The contractor’s insurance can also protect you in other ways. Unless you specifically add in-home workers coverage to your home insurance policy (most homeowners do not have this) any resulting damage from an unlicensed and uninsured contractor would be left up to you.
Liability insurance isn’t the only form of protection your contractor should have in place. Worker’s compensation is another important type of insurance your contractor needs. In the event, anyone on their crew is injured and unable to work as a result, this coverage can help cover their lost wages and medical bills. Otherwise, as the home or property owner, you could be sued for these damages.
While you may be tempted to hire an unlicensed contractor because of their lower fees, keep in mind that this comes at a cost. In fact, that cost can be to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars if you are sued for damages from injuries or damages throughout the course of their work.
Who will install the new HVAC system?
Meeting with the boss or owner of an HVAC agency is a great place to start. But you also want to know exactly who will be working on the new HVAC system for your own property. While the initial person you meet with might be experienced and have the answers to all of your questions, some HVAC companies send lower-level employees who don’t have the same experience. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but knowing who is coming ahead of time can save you an awkward discussion down the road!
Do you offer financing for HVAC systems?
HVAC systems undoubtedly require an investment. For some homeowners, paying for their system in full is simply not an option. In that case, it’s important to inquire about financing options before hiring a specific HVAC agency. At AC Care, we are pleased to offer a number of financing options. We know what a difference a high-quality HVAC system can make in your home or business, and we want this to be as accessible as possible to the widest group of people.
We offer short-term financing options with deferred or no interest, as well as long-term financing options with fixed terms and low monthly payments. Take a look at this page to learn more about these and our other financing options.
How soon can you start work?
Maybe you have asked the previous six questions and received answers that satisfied you. But when it comes time to book in for your HVAC installation, you find out the HVAC agency isn’t available for months. By the time they’re able to install your A/C unit, the hottest weather of the year will be long gone! Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, make sure the timeline you expect for your HVAC work is discussed and agreed upon before hiring a particular company.
Ask These Questions to Hire the Right HVAC establishment
There you have it: seven questions you need to ask an HVAC establishment before hiring them to install a heating or cooling unit in your home or commercial property. Once you’ve asked these questions, you will have the peace of mind that you have covered all your bases. If even one of these questions is skipped, the consequences should be serious. HVAC systems are big investments. This means it’s a big and important decision when you choose an HVAC establishment.
Price should never be the only factor in choosing an HVAC corporation, either. While it is important, it can’t be the only consideration. Otherwise, you risk poor quality work or an incomplete job. Even worse, you could be left covering thousands of dollars in bills if you are sued by an uninsured and unlicensed contractor.
AC Care is the HVAC Corporation for You
Looking for an HVAC corporation in Stuart, FL, and the surrounding areas? You are in the right place! AC Care is the leading heating and air condition service company in the area for a number of reasons.
Here are some of them:
- Phones Answered 24/7
- On-Time Service
- Upfront Pricing – No Surprises
- 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
- BBB accreditation
- Factory-trained & certified technicians
- Lennox factory-authorized dealer servicing all makes and models
- Two-year warranty on repairs
As for those seven questions to ask an HVAC company? We look forward to answering all of them for you! We think you’ll be happy with our answers, and even happier with our work.
Our team works hard to be your total home comfort experts in the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach areas. Our skilled heating and cooling technicians have years of experience working on air conditioners, heat pumps, and air handlers. Not to mention, these products are from a variety of top-rated brands. We want your home to be comfortable all year long. That’s why, when you choose AC Care, you’ll get top-notch service every time.
Is that exactly what you are looking for? Then call us today and allow us to take care of you!
For further reading:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heating,_ventilation,_and_air_conditioning
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_conditioning