Heat Service
Checklist for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Specialist
When your heating and cooling system is on the fritz, need to make upgrades or having to replace your unit, you should consider calling a heating and cooling specialist.
A heating and cooling specialist can make repairs to your existing unit, assist with upgrades, or install a new unit. When selecting someone to come help you with these types of tasks, you want to ensure that you hire a professional who will do the job correctly and within a timely manner.
1. Ask Around
Ask for recommendations from your friends and neighbors if they know a contractor with a good reputation. A greater percentage of the time, you will find a qualified contractor through word of mouth. It’s easier and your one step ahead of the process!
If you don’t know anyone with a good recommendation, try service related referral sites such as Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor. These are reputable sites where actual customers are able to rate their experiences, leave comments, and make recommendations.
2. Do Your Research
Once you hear about a good referral, do your research to find out more about them. A fairly simple internet search can pull up any complaints or poor feedback. It is also a good idea to call the Better Business Bureau and see if complaints have been logged in against them. Often, they will have records regarding service, feedback, and if any complaints have ever been filed against them.
3. Ask For Credentials
A qualified specialist in any field should have their credentials on hand. For a heating and cooling specialist, this means that they are licensed and insured. Many professional contractors in the heating and cooling business will also belong to specialized trade organizations such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
4. Prep Work
Before any work is physically done, the contractor should come out to inspect and evaluate the work that needs to be done. After evaluating the situation, he or she should be able to give you a detailed list of the work that needs to be done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.
You should get a written estimate from the specialist before they ever start work on any project. A professional specialist will have you sign a contract after the estimate is agreed upon.
5. Save A Little
When you are looking for a heating and cooling specialist and find a few that you like, see if there are any special deals or coupons either on the internet or phone book. Hiring a professional contractor to do anything, even just making repairs, can be expensive. Be smart and look for deals, but don’t cut corners in the process. Also, if you find coupons or special deals, many contractors will meet or beat that deal!
If you look for good recommendations and do your homework, you can find a specialist for all of your heating and cooling needs. Follow this checklist to find a professional and reliable Heating and Cooling Contractor.
- Published in HVAC News