No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and make sure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and plenty of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t get a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get subpar performance from your system.
The team at Farris Heating & Air have put together some questions to ask to help you on your pursuit of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to give you a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are happy with the results and if they would hire the company again in the future.
There are other sources you can look into like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Searching a contractor on BBB will allow you to look through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that employs the know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
Another option option is asking for 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 recommendations from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a your neighborhood’s own social media site.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can have confidence 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 developed by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A simple online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you live 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 best time to secure a quality HVAC contractor is before you experience a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s operating properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at Farris Heating & Air in Bartlesville. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 918-333-0376 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.