Once an HVAC system is installed, it is essential to keep it properly maintained by an expert. It is not uncommon to hear companies say that it is not always easy to find the right commercial HVAC company that will fit the bill. Some of the most common complaints are: Pricing seems too high, not dependable and the quality of work is not the best. So as a starting point, try these eight tips to hire a good HVAC contractor.
RESEARCH ABOUT THE CONTRACTORS
First, find out about license, insurance, and bonding requirements for contractors in your state. Know the intricate details of your system and its maintenance history before you jump to hiring a contractor. That will help the contractor better understand your heating and cooling needs.
LOOK FOR REFERRALS
Ask for referrals from your friends, family, building and facility management colleagues. You will benefit from their experience and avoid the risk of doing business with a company that lacks sufficient expertise.
CHECK REFERENCES
You need to look for references from the contractor’s previous customers to know more about the performance. Ask not only about price but also the quality of work and dependability. There is nothing worse than getting caught with a need for a service, and the technician does show up or shows up hours late.
KEEP EVERYTHING IN WRITTEN
The contractor should take time to conduct a thorough analysis of your system, assess your needs and put a reasonable faith estimate in writing. Most good contractors and companies provide you with a written assurance free of cost. Make sure that you use them for your benefit.
CHECK THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Know that it is best to hire a contractor that has experience with buildings like yours. Depending on their size, construction, and use, different structures can have vastly different HVAC needs. Also, when you hire contractors, they should have a broad range of experience working with all types of heating and air conditioning systems to ensure that they will not make mistakes in solving your HVAC issues.
GO THROUGH THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACTS
If you plan to hire a company to perform routine maintenance, make sure you understand what the service contract includes. Most maintenance services include preventative and predictive maintenance, on-site restoration and rebuild of your equipment, and repair and replacement at the company’s cost. AC maintenance is a core business with goals to reduce your cost and improve the comfort and reliability of your systems.
GUARANTEES
Several maintenance programs implement guarantees to their customers that they will experience an improved environment, quality service, and reduced costs associated with owning and operating AC systems.
GET A SECOND OPINION BEFORE CHANGING UNITS
Most heating and air conditioning contractors would instead replace equipment than repair it. That is how most companies make their money. Obtain a second opinion before changing out units. Sometimes, it’s likely that refurbishing existing equipment will solve the problem at a much lower cost.