Knowing how to select a quality HVAC company in Phoenix can mean the difference between peace of mind and frantic scurrying around when air-conditioning and heating issues come up. It’s better to be prepared for these challenges, and have connections with reliable service partners to call upon in times of need.
Researching HVAC companies ahead of time saves homeowners time, frustration, and money. Find a good, local HVAC company, and rest assured that your air and heating unit will be in top shape throughout the summer and winter months, when it’s most in use.
An HVAC contractor’s technical skills are more important than the type of unit and parts he stocks. Take some time to go over this list of critical things to consider when selecting an HVAC company, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with knowing you’re covered year round.
How To Pick An Air Conditioning And Heating Contractor In Phoenix
1.) Ask for licenses, insurance, and work background – The first thing you’ll want to do when selecting an HVAC company is to ask for the contractor’s business licenses, both state and local. Make sure they are current, and you can even check online to see if there are any sanctions or complaints filed with government agencies and state licensing boards.
Request that the service company shows verification of general liability insurance that will protect your property and anyone working in your home. Also, you may want to check with your insurance carrier to see if there are any considerations that must be addressed before the installation job starts.
2) Check their qualifications, expertise, and association affiliations – When searching for a quality HVAC technician, you’ll want to find one that is the best of the best. Look for companies that are most skilled to handle any type of heating and air-conditioning issue that arises. This often means that a top-quality contractor will have completed the latest education available in the industry, and have hours upon hours of hands-on experience. Ask about the company’s ongoing training for its employees.
Here are some of the organizations that offer training for HVAC contractors:
- HVAC Excellence
- NATE (North American Technical Excellence)
- UA Star
It’s even better if your proposed contractor is a member of professional associations that screen for high-caliber HVAC service companies. Try looking up technicians in the directories of one of these associations:
- ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers)
- BPI (Business performance Institute, Inc.)
3) Ask for referrals – The Realtor who sold you your home is a great source of referrals for top-notch HVAC companies. The choice will be yours alone, based on comfort level with the contractor, price, and other factors that are unique to your situation. Your real estate professional, however, is connected with a network of other individuals and companies that have given repeat business to other homeowners in many instances. Make your decision based on a consensus, not just a high mark from one praising customer.
4) Price comparison and bids – While training and experience are key in selecting a quality HVAC contractor, for some homeowners the decision may come down to price. If you have a strict budget you may want to get multiple bids, that take into consideration the entire scope of the work that needs to be done. With a complete bid from each company, you’ll be able to compare in writing the price, as well as the time involved and the quality of the parts being used.
5) Ease of contact – How easy is it to get a hold of a prospective HVAC service contractor? Do they have both an office phone and and email? Some may even have 24/7 emergency phone lines.
6) The comfort factor – Sometimes we just feel more comfortable with one company over another, whether it’s because of a rapport that’s be established during negotiations or because the contractor has put us at ease with their knowledge, passion, and commitment to excellence in their field. Trust your gut instincts and you’ll be rewarded with a smooth heating and air-conditioning repair experience most of the time.
7) Get everything in writing – Make sure to get a detailed description of the work, time, and price involved before the job begins. A contract with an HVAC company should include:
- Start and end dates
- Costs for equipment, supplies, labor, and items involved
- Costs for any additional work that is anticipated and recommended, like upgrades, replacements, etc.
- Cancellation or change policy if work is stopped or altered mid-stream
- Amount of down payment and final charges due upon work completion (policies for draws should be included)
You may also want to ask about warranty periods for parts used, and warranties provided by the contractor themselves for the entire scope of the job.
Investing the the service, repair or replacement of your hvac system is something worth researching ahead of time to ensure you’re hiring the right hvac company in Phoenix. By using the tips in this article to select your HVAC service company you should be setting yourself up to have a stress and hassle free experience the next time you need ac or heating service.
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