Air conditioning is something every homeowner values. The cooling effect during the hot summer or the ability to warm-up your house during winter is something that should never be compromised, according to airpoint.ca, who are Toronto’s most reliable heating and cooling company. However, this fact does not prevent the air conditioner from breaking down or wearing out.
Some people might decide to go for DIY solutions, which might sometimes work, especially when it is a minor repair. Otherwise, you might end up losing more money than you thought you were saving through DIY. If DIY is not something you would go for, a professional HVAC contractor comes in handy.
Whether you need an air conditioning technician for repairs or a new installation, you must apply due diligence to ensure you get a reliable one. That said, use the following tips to get the best HVAC contractor.
1. Do Your Homework
If you decide to hire the first air conditioning contractor you call, chances are, he is not the best in your area — you might get a shoddy job done. Instead, do more research and create a list of potential contractors you can work with.
Check on the internet for HVAC contractors near you. Also, ask for referrals from friends and family members. If those giving the referrals were satisfied with the services provided by the contractor, then there is a high possibility you will be a happy client too. Take your time to look around, and you will be thankful you did it.
2. Check If They Are Licensed
You will find numerous companies and individuals claiming to know how to repair or install an air conditioner. While this might be true, ascertain whether they have a license authorizing them to operate as HVAC contractors or not. They must have permit documents from the Contractors State License Board.
Most legitimate contractors will not shy away from displaying their license numbers on their website, and this improves their credibility. However, even if they haven’t, there is a lot that is at stake with air conditioning. You do not want to work with someone who leaves the gas line open or carelessly disposes a refrigerant, among other mistakes. After all, if something goes wrong, you will be on your own for not taking due diligence. Why did you hire someone who is not licensed to work as a contractor in the first place? These are some of the questions you will have to deal with.
3. Check Online Reviews and Testimonials
The best way to know if your air conditioning technician is excellent or not is by getting the opinion of his previous clients. How do you do this? Look for online reviews about the contractor through websites such as Google Reviews or Yelp. The comments on their social media platforms will also tell you whether most customers are satisfied or not.
Likewise, count on testimonials from the HVAC contractor’s website. This section is usually a section of the ‘About’ page, and you will know what to expect after reading different endorsements from previous customers.
Finally, consider asking for contacts of customers they have served before to get their opinion directly. If the company is hesitating to do the same, you shouldn’t trust them with your air conditioner as well. Otherwise, if you get positive reviews from all these sources, you might go ahead and hire them.
4. Experience of the HVAC Contractor Matters
While a contractor might prove to you that they have a qualified team and equipment required to do the job, get to know if they can use them efficiently. Air conditioner units are different, and every repair or installation is unique in some way. Therefore, you must work with a contractor who is experienced in the industry. It means they have acquired the tenacity to deal with any air conditioning job.
Consider your home safety before anything. An HVAC contractor who has acquired hands-on experience for years will guarantee you this safety as long as they have the right resources to carry out the job. They need to know how the entire air conditioning system work, how to repair it, install, or maintain, regardless of the type, make, or model of the air conditioner unit.
5. Is Your HVAC Contractor Insured?
You all know that accidents and incidents are unpredictable. Now, if something goes wrong in your home during air conditioner repairing or installation, who will be held liable for the injuries or destructions that may occur? It should never be you as the homeowner, which is the reason why you need to ascertain whether your contractor is insured or not. They should pay for any damages incurred.
Apart from checking the availability of insurance cover, evaluate the items covered under their policies to ensure that everything is indeed protected. Otherwise, if you skip any of these and something goes wrong, you might be left to cover the damages from your pockets.
6. The Lowest Bidder May Not Be the Best
You will find numerous HVAC contractors, and most will charge differently for the services they offer. The majority will go for the lowest bidder. While you could be lucky to pay less and getting excellent services, this is not always the case. They say ‘cheap is expensive,’ and you might find yourself paying for losses after a shoddy job was done for you. If you do not get a shoddy job, you might find other hidden costs, meaning you were tricked into hiring that specific contractor.
However, the highest bidder is not always the best as well. Check the services they offer while comparing with other shortlisted contractors, and you will definitely make the right decision. The best HVAC contractor is the one who provides value for your money.
7. Keep Everything in Writing
From the time you make the initial inquiry, keep everything you agree on in writing. For any official communication, sending an email is better than making a call. While oral agreements can be used in case of a dispute with your HVAC contractor, a written contract is more bidding.
Promises can easily be broken if you cannot prove anything. Therefore, details such as starting date, completion date, payments due, and due dates must appear clearly on the contract document. You are saving yourself future troubles.
Does Your Air Conditioner Need Repairs?
When you go looking for an HVAC technician, you will find numerous contractors available in your area. This can be quite overwhelming and daunting, not knowing how to choose the most reliable. Luckily for you, these tips will help you get the best HVAC contractor, and your air conditioner will be up and running properly.