No important decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to seek out a contractor that will listen to you and ensure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t get a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get subpar performance from your system.
The team at KDM Service Corporation have put together some questions to ask to help you on your journey of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
If you’re looking to work with a company they should be able to furnish you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased with the results and if they would work with the company again in the future.
Some other sources to check with are the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Searching a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that enlists the know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will happily provide you with referrals.
Another option option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are coming from people you know and trust. You’ll most likely not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for recommendations from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a your neighborhood’s own social media site.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can trust you’re getting a contractor that meets the highest standards in installation and service. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is a non-profit organization for HVAC technicians. To achieve NATE-certification a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were put together by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you reside in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avoid any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The perfect time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s running properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at KDM Service Corporation in Tuscaloosa. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 205-208-8090 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.