Before hiring a professional HVAC contractor, you need to make sure that you and the contractor are on the same page. During HVAC installations and repairs, many issues can occur due to a lack of communication. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, here are the five questions to ask a potential HVAC contractor in Semmes, AL.
1. Are Your Employees Properly Licensed and Trained?
Unfortunately, not every HVAC company ensures that their team members are properly licensed and trained. When things go wrong during an HVAC installation or repair, it can too often be the result of workers who aren’t yet ready to properly do the job assigned to them.
It’s a good idea to check with your HVAC contractor to make sure that everyone on the job will have the required licensing and appropriate training. A trustworthy contractor won’t take offense to your request to confirm licensing and training and will be happy to provide evidence of both.
2. How Does Pricing Work?
In a perfect world, an HVAC contractor could set a list of firm prices for jobs, much like the prices for items in a coffee shop or store. However, this isn’t always how HVAC projects work. Sometimes, a job might cost more than the original estimate due to unforeseen additional repairs or parts needed.
While your HVAC contractor can’t give you a firm price during your initial phone call, they can provide a close estimate, and keep you informed of any changes that occur throughout the process. If a contractor seems secretive or reluctant to answer questions about pricing, this is a bad sign.
3. What Type of Warranty Can I Expect?
Before an installation, you should ask what type of warranty you can expect and how long you’ll have coverage. Depending on the job, either the contractor or the manufacturer will issue the warranty. You want to be clear on your warranty, as it can save you a lot of money should something go wrong with your new HVAC system after installation.
Professional HVAC contractors also usually offer maintenance programs, which allow you to have professionals regularly check out your HVAC system and possibly offer discounts on any repairs you might need in the future. These maintenance programs can be quite useful if something goes wrong with your installation that isn’t covered by the warranty.
4. Do You Offer Emergency Services?
If your air conditioning stops working in the middle of the night during a heat wave, you need a dependable contractor who offers emergency services. It’s best to work with a contractor that offers this emergency service option.
This means in the event of an emergency, the contractor you call is already familiar with your system. When hiring a contractor, feel free to ask if there are any limitations or additional charges for these late-night or impromptu calls, also.
5. Will You Please Explain How This Works?
You don’t want an HVAC contractor who simply comes in, does the job and leaves. Instead, you want to work with a friendly local company whose technicians are happy to answer any questions that you might have about your new system.
For example, if a technician installs a new thermostat, you want to make sure that you understand how all of its settings work before the contractor packs up to leave. You know you’re working with reputable professionals when they’re comfortable staying and explaining the features of your new installation and giving tips.
These questions are good to keep in mind when you need repairs, maintenance or an installation. For over 30 years, we’ve been proud to serve our communities and provide top-quality service to our clients. At Air Specialty, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have, so give us a call today to schedule HVAC repair services for your Semmes, AL home.
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