There are over 112,000 HVAC businesses in the US. Because of this, you may understandably feel overwhelmed by all the choices you have. Too much of a good thing can end up being not so good, after all.
While it can seem like an easy choice between licensed and unlicensed contractors, there’s so much more to picking a decent HVAC expert for your needs.
If you’re wondering about “air conditioning maintenance near me in Huffman,” then keep reading. We’ll give you some excellent advice on how to do so.
Ask Your Family and Friends
The best place to start is to ask your family and friends. These are the people who will have your best interest at heart, which means they’ll be honest about their recommendations.
Ask them which contractors they liked using, which ones to avoid, and how long ago they utilized those services. A company that may have been good (or bad) a decade ago may have changed in 10 years.
Although your loved ones may seem like they’re offering valuable information, do remember to take it with a pinch of salt if some time has passed.
Going with an HVAC company that comes recommended can be a good choice. If you mention it to the contractor that someone you know referred you, they may be more inclined to give you better service.
Google “Air Conditioning Maintenance Near Me in Huffman”
The next step is to input “air conditioning maintenance near me in Huffman.” This will immediately generate results for local HVAC companies.
You can then cross-reference your list from your family and friends with the Google results. This search engine now conveniently displays user reviews as well, so you can quickly see if others agree with what your loved ones have to say.
From there, you can eliminate the ones who either don’t have reviews or have very poor ones.
Make Sure They’re Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
While getting an unlicensed handyman to handle your AC maintenance can be cheaper, it may not pay off in the long run. If you have any problems in the future, they may not be skilled or knowledgeable enough to fix it. Or, worse yet, they may act like they know what they’re doing, then make the problem even worse.
Ensuring that the contractor you choose is properly licensed, bonded, and insured will go a long way.
The companies you’re talking to should be able to provide you with a license number. You can then look it up to make sure it’s still valid and that they don’t have any bad reports against them.
A company that’s bonded and insured will protect all parties should any accidents occur. This is why it’s extremely important that they have all three qualities.
Choose Contractors with Experience
Hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured HVAC company is just the first step. You also need to make sure they’re experienced, especially in air conditioning maintenance.
If their technicians don’t properly maintain your HVAC system, then it may run down more easily and cost you in multiple repairs. This can be both annoying and expensive.
Make sure they not only have experience in AC maintenance but also with your particular brand. The parts can vary in placement from brand to brand, so if they’re not familiar with yours, it may be difficult for them to do their job.
Check for NATE Certification
This isn’t a requirement, but it’s definitely nice to have. NATE certification is given to contractors who have the best practices and techniques for various HVAC equipment. When you see a company that has NATE certification, you know they’re one of the best in the industry.
To get and keep their certification, they have to pass rigorous exams, plus partake in continuous education every two years. This means that if you hire a contractor that has NATE certification, they’re completely up-to-date on the industry.
Get References from Previous Customers
Getting recommendations from your loved ones and reading reviews online can be a tremendous help. Another way to get more opinions is to ask the HVAC company directly for references.
This helps you in two ways.
First, you get some more reviews to read and even pictures of their work to look at. Second, you get to gauge the company’s reaction.
If they seem hesitant to provide you with references, either they don’t have any or are afraid that their previous customers will say something that’ll mar their reputation.
Asking for references can be a great way to see how responsive and accommodating the HVAC contractor is to your requests.
Ask for a Written Estimate
Sure, it’s fine to get an over-the-phone estimate, but this should just be a ballpark one. No reputable HVAC company will give you an estimate and stick to it without checking out your property first.
Always ask them for a written estimate for your records. That way, when you’re researching all the companies on your list, you won’t lose track of which estimate belongs to which company.
Also, if you choose one contractor to go ahead with the job, you’ll have proof they quoted you a certain amount. This can eliminate a lot of stress if any issues arise in the future.
Get a Good HVAC Expert to Help You Out
Now you know the steps past Googling “air conditioning maintenance near me in Huffman.” By investing some time into doing research on the HVAC experts near you, you can weed out the unreliable ones and really find the gems.
With proper AC maintenance from a reputable HVAC company, you’ll extend the lifespan of your air conditioning and have little to no problems in the future.
Ready to get in touch with a reputable HVAC company near you? Then contact us now!
