No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to seek out a contractor that will listen to you and make sure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in a number of areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to make sure local codes are met, check piping and plenty 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 mediocre performance from your system.
The experts at Stieferman Heating Company Inc have put together some questions to ask to assist you on your pursuit 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 furnish you with a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. From there you can call and find out 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 utilizes the knowledge of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will gladly provide you with referrals.
An additional option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are received 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 suggestions 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. 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 provides protection for consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A short online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living 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 perfect time to find a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s running properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at Stieferman Heating Company Inc in Jefferson City. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 573-635-3547 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.