No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking 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 is not something you want to try to DIY. You’ll need 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 bunch 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 JTech Mechanical have put together some questions to ask to assist you on your journey of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that can corroborate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would choose 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. 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 enlists the expertise of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will happily 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 endorsements 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 have confidence 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. In order to become NATE-certified a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were created by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The best time to secure 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.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at JTech Mechanical in Magnolia. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 281-231-8768 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.