No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and ensure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. It’s important to secure a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to guarantee local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system isn’t getting a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get subpar performance from your system.
The team at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your quest of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
If you’re looking 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. After obtaining that you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are happy with the results and if they would hire the company again in the future.
You can also check with sources like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Finding a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that enlists the know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
An additional option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are coming from people you know and trust. In most cases you’ll 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 a social network comprised only of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can have confidence 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 developed by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This provides protection for consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A short online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you live in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to prevent any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The best time to find a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning in Arlington. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 360-255-5857 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.