No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of choosing an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to seek out a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. 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 guarantee local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew 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 professionals at Contra Costa Heating & AC have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your quest 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 find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased 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. Finding a contractor on BBB will allow you to see consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that employs the expertise of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will gladly provide you with referrals.
Another option option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. You’ll probably not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for endorsements from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a a social network comprised only of your neighbors.
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. 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?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use less than qualified workers. A short online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you reside 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 locate a quality HVAC contractor is before you experience a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s operating properly and get your regular maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at Contra Costa Heating & AC in the Bay Area. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 510-343-9841 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.