No important decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a project you want to attempt to DIY. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to make sure local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system isn’t getting a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get mediocre performance from your system.
The professionals at Woody's Sudden Service Inc have put together some questions to ask to help you on your pursuit 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 authenticate the quality of their work. From there you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are happy with the results and if they would choose the company again in the future.
You can also check with sources like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Looking up 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 knowledge 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.
One other option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. You’ll most likely not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for suggestions from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a social network of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can trust 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. To achieve NATE-certification 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 provides protection for consumers from companies that use unqualified 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 ideal time to find a quality HVAC contractor is prior to 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 Woody's Sudden Service Inc in Manassas. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 703-278-2036 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.