Hiring a heating contractor can be difficult especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. For someone with basic knowledge, it’s a matter of asking few right questions.
Do Your Homework
Go for a reputed name
The first and most important thing that one can do is hire a reputed name. It takes years to build good reputation in the market. If someone is having a solid reputation there must be a reason behind it. In the tech savy age, you can also search for reviews online and measure a contractor’s reputation.
Look for certifications
Best heating contractors are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Certification is important because it means heating contractor is recognized for its services by an organization. This will also give you the security of getting knowledgeable people deal with your requirement.
Cost is estimated after surveying the home
Don’t hire anyone who gives estimate on the phone without even surveying the home. Installation of heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) is done after understanding the heating and cooling requirements of a home. Different homes have different heating and cooling requirements based on its size and other factors like insulation. So cost of installation and servicing varies from home to home. Always take price estimate proposal in the written form.
Customer service
Make sure that they provide 24 hour customer service. Some heating contractors also have a refund policy in case you are not satisfied with their services. However, it comes with certain clauses.
Insurance cover and permits/licenses
Make sure that the heating contractor is registered for providing HVAC services in your state. They should have valid permits and licenses. Heating contractor should give compensation insurance to its works and also general liability insurance.
Energy star ratings
If your heating contractor is replacing old equipment’s with new ones make sure that they have good Energy Star rating. These are more energy efficient systems.
Money Doesn’t Matter
If you will make money the most factor in hiring a heating contractor service, it may be a costly mistake. Take estimates from multiple contractors. If someone is quoting extremely low prices, take a detailed look at their services. There might be some hidden charges.
Hire heating contractor who can deliver quality services. This is important because these machine needs years of service after installation. If the installation is done poorly, it will increase maintenance charges and also energy bills.