Are you having a difficult time choosing an AC repair contractor?
If you live in one of the three-quarters of U.S. homes with air conditioning, you’ll likely need repair work done at some point.
Fixing the air conditioning might seem simple, but you want a company with experienced, reliable techs to do the work right. You can weed out the sub-par HVAC contractors by asking questions before hiring someone.
Check out these five questions to ask when choosing an AC repair service.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
Verify that the contractor holds an HVAC contractor license in your state before hiring the company. State licensing criteria require that the contractor has significant experience in the field. An unlicensed contractor might not have practical experience and knowledge, which could result in major damage to your system.
Ask for proof of general liability insurance, which covers damage to property and third parties. This covers the damage to your home if something goes wrong during the repair.
Look for worker’s compensation insurance if the contractor has other employees. This type of coverage pays for injuries the workers might have while working on your air conditioning.
2. How Much Experience Do You Have?
Finding out how long an HVAC contractor has been in business can help gauge their quality. If they do poor work or are unreliable, they won’t likely last long.
Ask about the experience and qualifications of the technicians working for the company. Even if a company has been in business for years, some of their techs might be new and have very little experience.
If you have a unique situation, such as a geothermal unit, verify that the company has experience working with that type of equipment.
3. How Does Your Pricing Work?
Find out how the contractor charges for the work, whether it’s a flat fee or an hourly rate. Having a general idea of how the company charges and the standard rates makes it easier to plan for the financial part of the repair.
The contractor might give you an estimate upfront, but the total cost can be difficult to calculate before knowing what’s wrong. The cost of parts increases the total, and a fix that ends up being more complicated can result in more labor charges.
4. What Is Your Availability?
When you’re AC isn’t working, you want someone to fix it immediately. Find out how quickly the contractor can send someone to your home.
Ask if the company offers emergency service. Even if this repair isn’t an emergency, having a company you trust that’s available outside of normal work hours can be beneficial.
5. Do You Guarantee Your Work?
Ask about guarantees on the work to ensure the repairs get done correctly. Having a guarantee shows that the contractor stands by the work done by the technicians. It can give you peace of mind when choosing a company.
Find the Right AC Repair Contractor
Hiring an AC repair contractor isn’t something you want to rush into, even though you want your air working quickly. Ask specific questions to screen contractors before making your decision to ensure the work gets done correctly.
If you’re in need of AC repair, contact us today to ask any questions you have or to schedule an appointment.