Choosing the Right HVAC Professional
HVAC service, whether you’re looking for an HVAC tune up or a central air conditioning installation in the Sacramento area, doesn’t come cheap. However, shopping on price isn’t necessarily the smartest way to cover your home and business HVAC needs. Before you pick up the phone to call Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning — or anyone else, for that matter — it helps to know the best way to pick an HVAC company that will do the job right. This five-step checklist will simplify that process.
Know Your Needs
The first step to choosing the right HVAC pro — or any contractor, really — is knowing what you need, knowing what your budget is, and then being mindful of and transparent about both. Your criteria may be different if you’re doing a whole-home remodel with a new air conditioning installation than they’d be if you were simply looking for someone for a simple HVAC tune-up. Similarly, being up-front about your budget helps your HVAC pro help you; it’s easier to stay on budget when we can suggest ways to keep costs down without cutting corners, or when a repair can get you through another season so you can make an HVAC replacement when you’re on better financial footing.
Show Me Your Papers
There’s a lot that goes into being an HVAC contractor. We’re specialists, not handymen, and in much the same way you really don’t want us installing your new wainscoting, you don’t want a handyman working on your furnace or central air. An HVAC contractor should be licensed, bonded, and insured, and should be able to furnish proof of each. They should also be able to assist in arranging the applicable permits and inspections.
Experience Matters
We’ve been in business for more than four decades. That sounds impressive (and we’re proud of it, to be honest), but longevity isn’t the only thing that matters. We’ve taken the time to stay on top of the latest trends and developments, and we’re never content to do something on the logic that it’s “how it’s always been done.” While it’s always good to find someone that knows what they’re doing, it’s no less important to make sure their skills haven’t stagnated.
Follow Up with Referrals
Unless a company is just starting out, we all have a history. The team at Ace Plumbing has lost track of how many businesses and homeowners we’ve helped over the years, to our pride and their satisfaction. Ask to speak to a few of those clients to know more about the company and the people with whom you’ll be dealing.
Check the Contract
This may seem like the final step, but it’s more of a midway point. On one hand, it’s the culmination of all the work and research you’ve done up to this point; on the other, it’s a guide for all that comes next. A reputable HVAC company will give you a detailed written contract that provides a full breakdown of dates, materials, labor, costs, due dates, and other expectations. Read it over carefully, question anything that isn’t clear to you, and proceed.
Looking for an HVAC company in the Sacramento area for new installations, routine maintenance, or repairs? Now that you know how to evaluate an HVAC contractor, get in touch with Contact Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning and put us to the test!