It’s time to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is certainly heating up here in Manassas. Your AC is going to be in for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a smart idea to have an AC repair professional selected and properly vetted before your AC has any issues surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal if you could just choose the first number out of the phone book and trust that they’ll do a good job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate predicament. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Woody's Sudden Service Inc has some cautionary signs to watch out for that let you know you may be dealing with an unreliable company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Ahead of Starting Work
A trustworthy company will provide you with an estimate prior to beginning any work. Any company asking for payment prior to starting work should set off the alarm bells. Another sign of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to frustrations down the road having your problem fixed correctly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Prior to 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 sure 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 viewed even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know you have 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 have faith in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract before work begins you’re guaranteeing that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unanticipated 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 look up online and see if licenses are required in your state. 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 problems or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you encounter a company that is operating without a license, there’s most likely 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 Manassas area. The pros at Woody's Sudden Service Inc are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 703-278-2036 to set up an appointment up with us anytime.