No major 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. It’s important to secure a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure 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 Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning have put together some questions to ask to assist you on your quest of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to furnish you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. From there you can call and inquire about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased with the results and if they would choose the company again in the future.
Some other sources to check with are the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Finding a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that enlists the know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will happily provide you with referrals.
An additional option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. You’ll probably 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 guarantee 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 every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you live in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avoid any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The best time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
A relationship built on trust and experience is important to us at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning in Bishop. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 760-784-9034 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.