No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a project you want to attempt to DIY. It’s important to secure a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to make sure local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t receive a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get inferior performance from your system.
The experts at Premium Air Services LLC have put together some questions to ask to help you on your journey of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
Before you work with a company they should be able to give you a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. After obtaining that you can call and inquire about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased with the results and if they would work with 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. Searching 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 utilizes the expertise 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 asking for the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are received from people you know and trust. You’ll most likely 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 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. Before becoming NATE-certified a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were put together by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A simple 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 avoid any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The ideal time to find a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s operating 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 Premium Air Services LLC in Tomball. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 713-364-9957 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.