How to Choose the Right Heating and Air Conditioning Repair Professional | Fort Worth, TX
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If you’re looking for a professional in Fort Worth, TX to carry out heating and air conditioning repair, maintenance or installation, it’s important to do your research before hiring. Choosing an experienced and qualified technician is vital or you could find yourself with a system that’s poorly installed, unsuitable for your home or even unsafe. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure you don’t get ripped off when hiring an HVAC repair professional.
1. Check Experience
Make sure that your chosen technician has plenty of experience carrying out the type of heating and air conditioning repair you need. Length of experience, while desirable, isn’t everything. If a repair technician has been working in the industry for 20 years or more, that’s not much use if they don’t have up-to-date knowledge of the latest technology and you have cutting edge equipment. So, make sure that they have experience working with your particular system.
2. Licensing
It’s vital to make sure that any HVAC contractor you hire in Fort Worth, TX has the correct license to carry out the work. Otherwise, you could end up with a shoddy job and no recourse to have it put right. You can check online to make sure that a HVAC repair professional is licensed. Many also print their license numbers on their literature.
Depending on the work you’re having done, you may also need to find an HVAC contractor with a plumber’s license or that has a licensed plumber available to carry out part of the work. Make sure that any professional you use is licensed to carry out all aspects of the job.
3. Take Estimates
You should always get an estimate for your heating and AC repair work in writing, and any good Fort Worth, TX contractor will be happy to give you a written estimate. Be wary of contractors who are willing to give estimates over the phone, as they won’t be able to gather the information they need to come up with an accurate price. An experienced heating and air conditioning repair technician will want to carefully survey your home before providing an estimate. As well as a total price, it should include a comprehensive list of all the work to be carried out. We recommend obtaining at least 3 written estimates before settling on a contractor to make sure you are paying a fair price. However, be wary of accepting a very low estimate, as with HVAC professionals you often get what you pay for.
4. Don’t Accept an Older System
If you’re hiring a heating and air conditioning repair contractor to install a new air conditioning or heating system, be wary if a contractor suggests installing older equipment. This suggests that they are trying to offload their old stock onto their customers. Modern systems are generally more efficient, and your contractor should select a system that suits your home and needs perfectly. They should be able to talk you through the options available and help you choose the best system for you, which means buying new.
5. Gather References
Any reputable HVAC repair company should be able to provide you with references. Speaking to their existing customers is important so you can check that the company has a history of carrying out work to a high standard.
6. Check Out Reviews
Once you’ve short listed a few heating and air conditioning repair professionals, it’s a good idea to check out their online reviews to make sure that they are reliable. There are plenty of review sites around that allow customers to review HVAC contractors. Make sure that the site you use doesn’t filter out unfavorable reviews so that you get a clear and honest picture of how the companies compare.
7. Get a Payment Plan in Writing
If you’re having a lot of work done, you may have to pay a deposit and reach an arrangement with your heating and air conditioning repair contractor to pay in a series of installments. Some companies offer a line of credit to their customers who can’t afford to foot the bill upfront. Make sure you get any payment plan in writing and read the terms and conditions to make sure you fully understand the interest rates, how much you will have to pay and when.
8. Find Out About Rebates
Some heating and air conditioning repair projects will qualify for federal tax credits and rebates depending on the type of system you choose to install. If you qualify for these incentives, it’s important to discuss with your contractor to make sure they can provide the correct documentation to meet state requirements.
9. Check Insurance
Make sure that any heating and air conditioning repair contractor you’re considering using has liability insurance. Working with the mechanical systems in your home carries a risk of injury, and you could find yourself liable if an uninsured contractor is hurt while working on your home.
10. Ask for Recommendations
If you’re unsure about which Fort Worth, TX contractor to hire, trusted friends and family can be a good source of recommendations. If you know someone who has had a similar job done and is pleased with the standard of work, you may want to add that contractor to your shortlist of contractors to interview.
The Bottom Line
Choosing an HVAC specialist for your project can be daunting, especially if you will be spending a lot of money, so it’s important to use a company you can trust. One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating in Fort Worth, TX have been serving the community since 1988. They carry out all aspects of heating and air conditioning repair and installation including emergency repairs and indoor air quality services.