No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a project you want to attempt to DIY. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many 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 E.B. Air, LLC have put together some questions to ask to assist 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 provide you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. From there you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would choose 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. Finding a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that employs the knowledge 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.
An additional option is requesting 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 guarantee 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. In order to become NATE-certified a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were created by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A short 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 avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The ideal time to secure a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s running properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
A relationship built on trust and experience is important to us at E.B. Air, LLC in East Bernard. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 979-335-4262 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.