Everyone knows that there are wicked contractors in the world. There are plenty of horror stories of homes not built to code, plumbing that ruins a home, and shoddy electrical work that catches fire. However, few homeowners stop to really consider that the same is true about companies who work in heating and air conditioning. There are just as many shady HVAC contractors as there are electricians, plumbers, and builders, and yet most people just think that a few guys simply stick a box in their yard that makes hot or cold. Just like any other work being done in your home, choosing the right company to handle your HVAC requires research, knowledge, and a willingness to ask the right questions.
The first thing any company must have before they perform any HVAC work is a license. A state license is extremely easy to obtain, and yet many companies in the industry either do not bother or have had theirs taken away. If an installation is done by workers without a license, the work will not pass inspection, and your warranty and insurance will be null and void. Anyone coming into your home attempting to do work they are not legally authorized to perform is far too shady to handle something as important as your daily comfort.
Next, judge the contractor’s work proposal, and judge it harshly. Did they scrawl a number on a legal pad, or did they actually fill out a form that details the work? If they said the system comes with a 10 year warranty, is that warranty detailed in the paperwork? Are they willing to give you a one year full guarantee in writing? Does the piece of paper they gave you explain to you what these people will be doing to your home? If any of these questions is in doubt as you stare at their proposal, this is probably not a company you can trust to install something that will work reliably for the next 10-15 years.
Finally, recognize that the HVAC industry is not a product-based business, but a service industry. Air conditioners and furnaces break, and you need to be confident that the company you choose to work with will not only stand behind the work they do, but will be around to continue servicing your system for years to come. Are the contractors you’ve interacted with the kind of people you believe can keep a business going for the next 15 years? When your furnace fails on Christmas Eve six years from now, are you going to be able to call the number on their work proposal and get a live person, or will you be thumbing through the yellow pages yet again? Don’t choose a contractor because of a product or a price, make the decision based on the values of the company and the people who will be doing the work. If you remember these factors, you will choose a company that will stand behind their work, and keep your comfort system running smoothly for years to come.
