The time has arrived to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is absolutely heating up here in Jefferson City. Your AC will need to be ready for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to have an AC repair professional chosen and thoroughly vetted before your AC has any problems surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal if you could just choose the first number out of the phone book and have confidence that they’ll do a good job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate predicament. We don’t want to leave you sweating a shady repairman or the heat so the team at Stieferman Heating Company Inc has some red flags to watch out for that let you know you may be dealing with an untrustworthy company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Before Starting Work
A reputable company will provide you with an estimate prior to beginning any work. Any company demanding payment prior to starting work should set off the alarm bells. Another demand of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to frustrations down the road having your problem fixed accurately or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Ahead of Inspection
A technician may have an educated guess of what is going wrong with your air conditioner simply by speaking with you, but they won’t know for sure until they have actually inspected your system. Find a company that will provide you with an estimate only following an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve seen even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know you have to get it in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the job and charges into writing, don’t have confidence in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract before work begins you’re ensuring that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs after work has been completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but a great number of them do. You can look up online and see if licenses are required in your state. If you reside in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re protecting yourself from a company that uses untrained workers. And any grievances or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you encounter a company that is operating without a license, there’s most likely a reason for that and you’ll want to stay away.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a trusted AC repair technician in the Jefferson City area. The pros at Stieferman Heating Company Inc are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 573-635-3547 to set up an appointment up with us anytime.