Heating And Air Contractor: How To Pick One You'll Be Satisfied With

Here are some things to consider when making the decision of whom should handle your home's heating and air control needs:

Reputation: You want a firm that has proven its worth. Before selecting a firm for a job, have the salesman or service technician provide references for other jobs the company has completed in your area. The business should be able to provide references in your neighborhood or at least in your same town. Check with those references to see if the job went according to plan, if they have had any problems with the unit since, and how responsive the company was to their concerns. Also make sure the firm is licensed, insured and current on all codes in your village and state.

Hours: Enough firms provide evening and weekend service that you shouldn't have to take a day off for an appointment, if you really don't want to do so.

Financing: Most every firm offers some type of financing for major projects. Make sure you understand just what the financing details are before signing a contract with the firm. Make sure of the interest rate you are getting when financing the work through a firm. And compare. You may be better off paying for it through a home equity line of credit, if you have one.

Satisfaction: When talking to technicians or salesman, gauge their true commitment to this job. Will they stand behind the company's work or will they be off to the next job and difficult to get back at your home if problems arise? Are they interested in your family's comfort or just in making the sale? You want to make sure your are hiring a contractor that is committed to your complete satisfaction.
Product knowledge: Does the person you are speaking to truly know the products and services? Is he only recommending the biggest and best unit because it pads his commission? Does he understand your heating and air needs and might actually steer you away from the top of the line model because it has more bells and whistles than you need for your home? You want someone who knows his stuff, but doesn't pressure you to buy more than you need for your home. A considerate heating employee should be able to give you tips on cutting your energy costs and improving your home's air quality that don't involve buying the latest and greatest units from him.

Adaptability: One product is not the answer for every home. Does the technician have a sense of your type of home and the best way to improve the heating and/or cooling in that kind of residence? The system your heating and air expert comes up with should be customized to your home and not be simply a one-size-fits-all solution.