How to Find the Right HVAC Contractor
In the world of professional HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation, not all contractors are equally qualified. In fact, it can be easy to fall into the trap of hiring an unreliable or overpriced contractor when you fail to do your research beforehand.
To avoid the many financial and legal pitfalls of choosing the wrong contractor for your HVAC needs, apply these guidelines from the pros at Crawford Services to learn how to find the right HVAC contractor for the job.
Red Flags:
Sometimes, the easiest way to choose the right contractor is to weed out the wrong ones. To help you with this process, here are some red flag behaviors you should be wary of.
Replacing Your Air Conditioner with the Same Unit as Before
For most average AC units, the lifespan should be 10-15 years. If it is time to replace your unit and your contractor tries to replace it with the same old model, you should think twice about giving them your business.
Just like replacing an old car with a newer, more efficient model after a decade of use, you’ll want to replace your 10-15-year-old unit with a better-performing one. A well-trained and reliable contractor will recommend several options of newer units to bring your home up to date and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Being Unwilling or Unable to Provide Proof of Being Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
Any contractor worth hiring should be certified. This licensing is imperative, as it reflects that they have been properly trained to safely execute dangerous parts of the job, such as manipulating gas lines and plumbing applications.
If a contractor does not willingly provide a copy of his or her license, proof of insurance, and that they are bonded in case of job-related incidents or issues on your property, you should keep looking elsewhere.
Being Unable to Provide Credible References or Referrals
One of the easiest ways to verify a contractor’s credentials is by requesting referrals from friends, family, and neighbors and asking the contractor for some references from previous jobs and employers. A reliable HVAC contractor will come highly recommended from jobs well-done before working for you, and they will not be hesitant to provide references to back it up.
They Don’t Perform an Inspection of Your Home
As previously explained, there are too many complexities involved in troubleshooting issues with your HVAC system. For any HVAC service you request there should be an initial inspection of your home preformed before any estimates, bids, or solutions are proposed.
If a contractor does not even perform an inspection of your home before making these calls, you should continue your search for a more legitimate HVAC contractor.
Performing an Unthorough Inspection of Your Home
Even if a contractor does pass the initial test and performs an inspection of your home, you should pay close attention to how thorough they survey your house. A reliable contractor who knows what they are doing will spend a significant amount of time getting to know your home before choosing the best course of action.
Furthermore, a trustworthy contractor should determine the sizing of a new system based on the calculated data fed into industry software known as Manuals J and D. Then, they should provide an itemized estimate of the cost. Here are some factors a good contractor will measure and inspect:
- The square footage of your home
- The R-value of insulation
- How many windows there are in your home and which way they are facing
- Check your duct system for leaks, loose segments and insulation
How Do You Know You Have the Best?
Now that you know how to find the right HVAC contractor, the answer is simple. If you are working with an expert from the Crawford Services team, your HVAC system is in the hands of the best!
With a knowledgeable team of licensed HVAC technicians, the pros at Crawford are the experts you can trust with any of your HVAC needs. For help and guidance from our experienced contractors and technicians, call us today at 469-294-1757 in Dallas (or at 817-869-9045 in Fort Worth), or fill out a service request form on our website!
