Your central heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive purchases for your home that you’ll need to make. That being said, working with the right HVAC contractor is essential. Not only do you want a fair price on quality equipment, but you also want to be sure that you’re receiving a properly installed system that suits your needs.
Below, we’ll walk through key factors that you should consider when getting quotes for a new HVAC system.
1. Is the company licensed and insured?
If an HVAC installer is not licensed and insured, you’re taking a gamble by doing business with them. In Texas, HVAC contractors must be licensed and insured to legally operate. However, that doesn’t mean that this is the case for all of them. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property during the installation, you can potentially be liable.
Bottom line: before signing on the dotted line, make sure the business is licensed and insured.
2. What’s included in the price?
An HVAC quote should provide you with information about how the company arrived at the price they’re giving you. How much is the cost of materials? How much is the labor? Is there a charge for removing and hauling away your old system? You want to be sure that there are no surprises and that all the information is transparent.
Keep in mind: the lowest quote is not likely to get you the highest quality installation. You have to figure that somewhere along the line, the company is cutting corners to make their prices more competitive. If you’re tempted to take the lowest quote you get, make sure to check the company’s Google reviews, the Better Business Bureau for any pattern of complaints, and to ask them about the specific products they are offering so that you can research them on Consumer Reports.
3. How did the contractor determine what system they think you need?
Beware of over-the-phone quotes. While someone can make a guess about what size your system needs to have based on your home’s square footage, there are other factors to consider, such as
- Your home’s layout
- How adequate your ductwork and insulation is
- Current cooling challenges
When an experienced HVAC contractor takes the time to examine your home and listen to the challenges you’re having, they may conclude that you don’t even need a new system and that your problems would be solved by sealed ductwork or improved insulation. This could end up saving you thousands of dollars.
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4. How will the contractor continue to assist you down the road?
Don’t be afraid to ask about satisfaction guarantees and warranties on parts and labor that will help ensure you are 100 percent happy with your new system. While you’re at it, ask if the company offers any kind of maintenance membership so that you can be sure your system is getting the tune-ups it needs to remain under its manufacturer warranty.
At Rescue Air and Plumbing, our Dallas HVAC experts take pride in providing transparent quotes based on an examination of your home and a no-pressure talk with you about your home’s cooling needs and challenges: (972) 201-3253.