Don’t Hire an AC Contractor Before Asking These Questions
Hiring an AC contractor is an important decision that no one should take lightly. Your choice may mean the difference between enjoying a comfortable summer in Adel, GA, and struggling to cope with the heat, so you must do your due diligence. We don’t recommend doing business with any AC contractor before asking the following five questions:
May I See Your HVAC License?
This is probably the most fundamental question of all because any contractor who cannot give a satisfactory reply to it is not worth the time of day. While the mere possession of an HVAC license does not show that a contractor is especially skilled, it typically indicates a rudimentary level of competence. If you see an HVAC license, at least you’ll know that the contractor you’re talking to has some basic skills and may work legally in the state of Georgia.
What Kind of Liability Insurance Do You Have?
Never have any dealings with any AC contractor who doesn’t have adequate accident and liability insurance. While no one wants accidents to happen on the job, they’re possible. Without liability insurance, you may wind up paying for everything that goes wrong.
Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about the prospective contractor’s insurance policy. You should walk away knowing precisely what it covers, what it doesn’t cover and its coverage amount.
Do You Have Maintenance Plans?
Whether you’re in the market for an AC installation or some extensive air conditioning repair work, it still makes sense to ask any contractor you’re considering signing a deal with about maintenance. It’s much easier to get all of your various HVAC services from the same company instead of delegating each service to a different business. Plus, any company that offers a wide array of HVAC services — of which maintenance is only one — is likely to have a more skilled and experienced staff than a company that does not.
We strongly advise you to care for your AC system with professional-grade maintenance services at least once per year, though doing so twice per year would be ideal. Contractors who offer maintenance plans may, therefore, be even better than those who only offer on-demand maintenance services. The former will give you consistency and convenience.
What Work Does the Project Quote Mention?
When you ask for some particular HVAC-related service and a company provides you with a quote, that company should also be able to give you a detailed inventory of everything they will charge you for. There should be a specific and comprehensive explanation of what the firm plans to do. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
Furthermore, the contractor should inform you of all exclusions. You should know exactly which work your AC system’s manufacturer’s warranty will cover and which it won’t.
How Long Will the Work Take?
Each job is different, but a good AC contractor should be able to give you at least a rough estimate of how long it’ll take to do what you’ve requested. You should also get clear information on when the contractor will be able to start working for you.
Summers in Adel, GA, are usually quite sweltering, so if you have serious AC issues that require attention, you should aim to deal with a contractor who can start sooner rather than later. Moreover, if you’d like to install a new system, you or someone you trust will probably need to supervise the installation. For that to be possible, you’ll need information about the expected duration of the work.
These simple questions will help allow you to screen out bad AC contractors and steer your way toward better ones. The best option for those living around Adel, GA, is to get in touch with our team. Call Waller Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule our professional AC repair or installation services.
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