Sooner or later we are all faced with replacing our air conditioner or furnace. As much as don’t want to believe it, our AC and heating systems are not built to last a lifetime. This is a big decision that will affect your comfort for years to come. You want to make sure the AC company you are hiring is fair priced, competent, and can follow-up with any HVAC needs you may need down the road. When you are hot or cold, price and time are of the essence, but doing your research and making sure you have the best HVAC contractor for the job is paramount.
Ask your friends and family for recommendations.
First of all, you will be surprised how many people close to you have an AC company that they highly recommend. Unfortunately, some may have nightmare stories of companies that you should avoid. After you talk to your friends and family, look up those companies to get a feel for who they are
Check online reviews.
Online reviews are another great resource. They don’t tell the whole story, but from a broad perspective you can get a good look at the way they treat their customers. Visit sites like Facebook, Google Reviews, and Nextdoor to read up on what their customers have said about them and, consequently, what they have done to solve any problems that have popped up.
Ask Questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! A good AC contractor will be happy answer anything you need to know. Some good questions are: How long have you been in business? What brand of equipment do you sell and what are your warranties? How long will the install take? Did you see anything else in the attic that I should be concerned about?
Get your estimate in writing.
Sometimes it is an honest mistake, but getting everything writing helps eliminate mistakes later.
Make sure your AC contractor is licensed and insured.
You want to make sure the AC company you are about to hire knows what they are doing, therefore, has the proper insurance to cover you if something does go wrong.