Your furnace needs service. Whether it's a routine inspection, a repair, or installing a new one, it's important that the job be done right. And for that, you need to choose a heating contractor who knows what they're doing. How can you tell you've found a good one? Here are a few important qualities to look for.
LICENSED, BONDED, AND INSURED.
This is one of the first things you should ask about. Licensed, in California, means they've passed two different exams demonstrating their competence in the HVAC field. Bonded means you're protected in case they damage your property during the job. Insured means you're protected from being sued in case they get injured on your property during the job.
A GOOD REPUTATION.
Before hiring a heating contractor, do your research. Look up reviews on Google and Yelp, and check them with the Better Business Bureau. Also ask for a list of past clients you can talk to. Find out what others have to say about them and what their experiences were like.
THE RIGHT PRICE.
Don't just go for the lowest bidder. Remember, you get what you pay for. Hiring a heating contractor because they're the cheapest leads to subpar work, which you'll then have to get repaired again (and again, and again). You'll end up spending more than you would have if you'd just paid to have the job done right the first time. If you want to save money, instead look for deals and rebates that come from installing energy-efficient equipment.
AN ON-SITE EVALUATION.
A reputable contractor will go to your home to check out your system before making any judgment calls. They'll then provide you with a written, itemized estimate of the work to be done. A dishonest contractor will often try to give you an estimate over the phone, without ever having seen your system, and will avoid putting anything in writing.
To learn more about hiring a good heating contractor, contact us at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).