Before getting HVAC contractors, be sure you have the pertinent information such as the climate in your location, the amount of sunlight you get every day and areas in the home which may be hard to ventilate. The contractors normally ask for these information which they use in taking the necessary measures from installing air conditioning units, heaters, furnaces, ducts and ventilation. HVAC people do their work in all types of homes, whether extensions, new construction, remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, guest houses and garage apartments.
Some people do not have experience dealing with HVAC contractors especially those who buy a heating or cooling system already installed in the house they purchase. Sometimes, this makes it difficult for them to get the best deal.
This should not be a problem, though, as there are some ways to make the process of hiring the right ones easier. The most important steps to take are to ask for recommendations from friends who have had previous experience with contractors. Friends, relatives or colleagues in your office will surely have somebody to recommend for you.
Once you have a list of names, you may make a call to each one of them to find out how long they have been in the business and then check their references as well as their licenses. The references are vital as you can get additional information from them about the skills and experiences of the HVAC contractors. Verify their credentials, license, insurance and Business Bureau membership.
While talking to your prospective contractors, you can ask how they will determine the correct size of the new system and if you need to get a permit or they can get it for you.
After making the necessary interviews, it's time to pick your choice. For additional information, you may want to ask for quality certifications such as Diamond Certification. Now that you have your preferred HVAC, your next step is to negotiate for the best deal.
It is crucial that you know what you need. Explain the type of heating, cooling or ventilation work required in your home and any problems you may have encountered in the past. The details are important to them as it will allow them to project the cost of the job.
Listen to the questions asked by your contractor and write them down if possible. Take note of the time he is willing to provide to you as this is proof of his proficiency.
List down your questions for your contractor, too. You can ask about the number of jobs they have done, their specialization, the length of time needed to complete the job for you, if they have a workers' compensation and liability insurance, do they do the job themselves or do they hire subcontractors and if they will do all the work from removing the old materials to installing the new unit.
Finally, ask your HVAC contractor to provide you a signed written pricing, timing, quality and warranty agreement. And after the work is done, be sure to ask him some written handling instructions for the new installations.
