No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and plenty of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t get a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get inferior performance from your system.
The experts at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your pursuit of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to give you a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and inquire about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased with the results and if they would choose the company again in the future.
Some other sources to check with are the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Searching a contractor on BBB will allow you to see consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that employs the expertise of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will happily provide you with referrals.
An additional option is asking for the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. You’ll probably not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for endorsements from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a social network of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can guarantee that you’re getting a contractor that meets the highest standards in installation and service. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is a non-profit organization for HVAC technicians. To achieve NATE-certification a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were created by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This provides protection for consumers from companies that use less than qualified workers. A short online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you reside in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The ideal time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc in Phoenix. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 602-832-7808 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.