With so many contractors in Staunton, VA, it can be hard to decide who to hire to help you with your HVAC needs. Read on to learn about seven pertinent questions you can ask before choosing an HVAC contractor.
1. How Long Has the Company Been in Business?
In today’s market, companies with poor records of labor and service won’t last long. Therefore, if you see a company with a decade or more in existence, it’s a good bet that it delivers quality results. However, here in Staunton, VA, there are plenty of good companies that are only a few years old, too, so experience shouldn’t be your only criterion.
2. When Can You Start?
As a general rule, the most successful companies will be able to deliver service on the same day or the next day rather than making you wait. Also, consumers find it reassuring if the contractor provides 24/7 emergency services.
3. Are Your Employees Certified?
In the world of HVAC, employees can hold one or more professional certifications regarding certain skill sets. North American Technician Excellence, or NATE, certification is the most common, followed by Environmental Protection Agency certification. A technician needs EPA certification to work with refrigerant.
Other certifications include specializations in certain specific products, such as R-410a refrigerant. Still others, like that of the Energy Star Verified Installation Program, focus on a class of HVAC products. Finally, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and other organizations like it emphasize technical standards and evolving technology across the industry.
4. What Brands of Equipment Does the Company Service?
There are many HVAC brands in the industry, and not every contractor is familiar with all of them. Make sure that the contractor you select has employees who are familiar and experienced with the brand of HVAC you currently have.
This also applies to new installations. For example, if you were to have interest in a certain brand, and the contractor in question could only provide brands other than the one that interests you, then you’d have to pick a different contractor for your HVAC installation.
5. Does the Business Provide Written Estimates and Guarantees?
Before hiring a contractor to do the work you need, be sure that the contractor gives you a written estimate. It’s also smart to ask questions about what’s included in the estimate and whether or not the contractor could charge additional items after starting work.
For example, some contractors will charge extra fees if they find something that they didn’t see upon first inspection before drawing up the estimate. Other contractors won’t charge such extras.
Does the contractor give you a 100% guarantee, or does it just “focus on customer satisfaction?” Likewise, does the contractor guarantee its labor and parts through a warranty of some kind?
6. Does the Company Offer Competitive Pricing?
At Valley Air, LLC we strive for excellence in customer satisfaction. We have a stellar reputation for delivering prompt, reliable service and offering you the best solutions at the most affordable prices.
7. Is the Contractor Licensed and Insured?
It’s never a bad idea to have protection against unforeseen circumstances. It builds peace of mind to know that, were an accident to happen, then the insurance coverage would apply. Selecting a licensed company is crucial because it proves that the contractor and its employees live up to the standards of the industry.
Our team offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we sell and service all makes and models of HVAC equipment. We’re licensed and offer a two-year labor warranty on new installations. We’re also family-owned and operated, so the next time you need repairs or any other HVAC service, give us a call at Valley Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to book an appointment today in Staunton, VA.
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