Blog
Your heating and cooling system is a major part of your home and a big investment. Every day you count on it to run smoothly, and when it doesn’t, the concern over the cost and inconvenience of someone coming out to fix it is real. The HVAC contractor you hire should be an ally, not an adversary, but that means knowing how to choose the right person and company for the job. Rheem Pro Partner assists homeowners in Colorado and Wyoming and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service. Regardless of who you hire, however, it’s important to know what to look for when choosing someone to work on your system.
Here’s what you should ask every HVAC technician before hiring them:
Most states require that HVAC technicians are licensed. Ask for the license number and look it up with through the state licensing board. Be sure to also see proof of insurance and make sure it is current. The contractor should have both liability and worker’s compensation insurance. This protects you in case something goes wrong on the job.
Hiring someone who has been in the business for a long time can give you added peace of mind. As with most trades, an experienced HVAC technician has likely encountered a number of problem situations and learned how to prevent them or handle them efficiently if they happen again. In addition to asking how much experience they have, ask how they gained their experience. Have they worked on your specific brand or type of system? What kind of ongoing training have they had? Are they NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified?
Ask for references and then follow up with them to find out how the technician works. Was the technician courteous, respectful and professional? Was the work was done in a timely manner? Did he leave a mess? Were the details of the job, including all costs, explained well up front and given in writing? Would the reference hire this person/company again?
If your current system is still under warranty, the technician should follow that warranty. If there is no longer a warranty, find out what guarantee the technician provides for the work. Ask about the refund policy, and what will be done if the equipment doesn’t work after the repair or installation.
As a best practice, most HVAC technicians will provide a written quote that outlines the responsibilities of both the contractor and the customer. This should be done after the technician has inspected your equipment. Ask in advance if the initial inspection and quote is free.
Reputable contractors will gladly show you their credentials, provide references and answer your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask.