The time has arrived to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is really heating up here in Chelan and Wenatchee. Your AC will need to be ready for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a wise idea to have an AC repair professional chosen and properly vetted before your AC has any troubles surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be nice if you could just pick the first number out of the phone book and have confidence that they’ll do an acceptable job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate predicament. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Lakeside Heating & Air has some warning signs to watch out for that let you know you may be dealing with an unreliable company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Prior to Starting Work
A credible company will provide you with an estimate prior to beginning any work. Any company requesting payment prior to starting work should be called into question. Another demand of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to problems down the road having your problem fixed correctly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Prior to Inspection
A technician may have an inkling of what is going wrong with your air conditioner simply by speaking with you, but they won’t know for certain until they have actually inspected your system. Choose a company that will provide you with an estimate only after conducting an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve watched even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know you have to get it in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the labor and charges into writing, don’t have confidence in them to accomplish the work. By getting a signed contract before work begins you’re making certain that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unanticipated costs after work has been completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but a great number of them do. You can find out online and see if licenses are required where you live. If you are living in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re protecting yourself from a company that uses inexperienced workers. And any problems or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you encounter a company that is operating without a license, there’s usually a reason for that and you’ll want keep clear.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a credible AC repair technician in the Chelan and Wenatchee area. The pros at Lakeside Heating & Air are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 509-284-4265 to set up an appointment up with us anytime.