No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of choosing 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 isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will figure out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and plenty 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 mediocre performance from your system.
The professionals at Lakeside Heating & Air have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your pursuit of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that can corroborate the quality of their work. From there you can call and inquire about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would hire the company again in the future.
There are other sources you can look into like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Looking up a contractor on BBB will allow you to look through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that utilizes the expertise of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
Another option option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. In most cases you’ll not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for endorsements from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a social network of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can have confidence that 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 less than qualified workers. A simple online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The ideal time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at Lakeside Heating & Air in Chelan and Wenatchee. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 509-284-4265 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.