Get ready to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is really heating up here in the Bay Area. Your AC will need to be ready for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a smart idea to have an AC repair professional chosen and thoroughly vetted before your AC has any troubles surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal if you could just select the first number out of the phone book and trust that they’ll do an acceptable job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate situation. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Contra Costa Heating & AC has some warning signs to look out for that let you know you may be dealing with an unreliable company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Ahead of Starting Work
A reputable company will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work. Any company demanding payment prior to starting work is a big red flag. Another demand of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to problems down the road having your problem fixed accurately or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Ahead of Inspection
A technician may have an idea of what is going wrong with your air conditioner over a phone call, but they won’t know for certain until they have actually inspected your system. Find a company that will provide you with an estimate only following an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve watched even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know it’s an absolute must to get it in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the labor and charges into writing, don’t trust them to accomplish the work. By getting a signed contract preceding the work you’re ensuring that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs after your repair is completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but a great number of them do. You can find out online and see if licenses are required where you live. If you reside in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re shielding yourself from a company that uses untrained workers. And any complaints or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you come across a company that is operating without a license, there’s almost certainly a reason for that and you’ll want look elsewhere.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a dependable AC repair technician in the the Bay Area area. The pros at Contra Costa Heating & AC are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 510-343-9841 to schedule an appointment up with us anytime.