Heating Repair: Finding a Good Company Before Things Go Wrong

Few homeowners bother to look for a good heating repair company until something goes wrong with their HVAC system. Of course, when that happens, time is of the essence. If this is the situation you currently find yourself in, it can be tempting to flip to the first company you find in the phone book, call them out, and just accept whatever price you have to pay as the cost of an emergency. It doesn't necessarily have to be this way. Not every company is created equally, and it will behoove you to take a little extra time—even in such an emergency—to find someone who can do the job right.

If you want to get some real life recommendations, start with the people you know. Friends, family members and co-workers can be a valuable source of information when you're looking for a heating repair company. Make sure you explain your situation and ask specifically for companies that are willing to come out in case of an emergency. Many companies may be spectacular at their jobs, but unwilling to come out to see a new customer just because there is a major problem. It could take several days. If you can wait that long, it is worth it. You'll save money and you'll be able to hire the best. But most people don't want to wait that long to get their home back to its toasty state.

Once you've got a few names, start making phone calls. Explain your problem and see if they will give you a price for coming out to look at your issue in person. If you can find a company willing to come out without a fee, you'll be fortunate. Chances are, that's going to be the price of business. Look for a company that is offering a reasonable fee to come out and give you a price quote. But don't base your judgment on price alone. Pay attention to how they treat you on the phone, how quickly they can come out, and how eager they seem to have your business.

Finally, don't forget that we live in the age of information. There's no excuse for not doing at least a cursory background check on any heating repair company before you begin doing business with them. Check with the Better Business Bureau, and do a general Google search to see if there are any complaints against the company. Any company of a large size will have some dissenting customers, but you can tell fairly quickly if the tide of sentiment is strongly for or against the business.