What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing A Heating System Repair Contractor?
In Florida, heating systems aren’t as important as air conditioning units. Still, most residents of the old Sunshine State use furnaces and other types of heating appliances to make their homes more comfortable during the winter.
But what if your heating device of choice suddenly goes out?
In that case, you’ll have to choose a heating system repair contractor to mend your system. But who should you opt for? Can you just pick a name from an HVAC contractor directory?
Actually, no. To unlock a favorable price-to-quality ratio, you must choose wisely.
We put together a guide that will teach you how to navigate the convoluted marketing information presented online and find the best heating system repair contractor.
Here are the key factors you should consider.
1. Research The Contractor Online
When looking for a
heating system repair contractor in the past, you’d probably ask your neighbors to provide you with a few names. Nowadays, most of your research will happen online.
Go to the HVAC company’s website and investigate what they have to offer. Check out their services, look at how long they’ve been in business, and scan for information on awards or certifications.
Beware, though – the info on their site could be all empty marketing. After all, every business claims they’re best. To cut through the noise, navigate to the contractor’s Google Business Profile or a Yelp listing and start reading reviews. Keep a close eye on consistent positive feedback from real-life customers and note down any mentions of the contractor’s expertise, reliability, and professionalism.
In addition to positive reviews, use the filter option to look at negative reviews too. Bad feedback can illuminate problems that the prospective business has. For instance, a heating/cooling company’s positive reviewers may praise their expertise, but bad reviews may reveal that they lack punctuality and are often late.
Lastly, look at the company’s responses to these reviews. This shows you how committed the business is to customer satisfaction.
2. Verify Their Certification
When browsing for a heating system repair contractor, always verify whether they’re certified by a reputable organization.
Certification is not just a fancy title for bragging rights, it also confirms that the contractor has undergone extensive training and testing. Meaning, you’ll work with someone who has expertise in industry standards, knowledge of the latest technology, and is practicing all the safety protocols.
What credentials should you seek out?
Well, you can’t go wrong with credentials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and North American Technician Excellence (NATE). The latter’s certification involves a comprehensive knowledge-based test that requires expertise to pass. The EPA certification is also crucial as it demonstrates the HVAC company is competent in handling refrigerants.
3. Ask For An Estimate
Before working with an HVAC company, ask for an itemized estimate that details all the costs involved in the repair services. That way, you can make certain you’re not paying for something that isn’t part of the service.
An itemized estimate should include things like labor costs, parts, materials, or any other additional fees.
If a contractor doesn’t want to provide you with a full breakdown of their costs, it’s a huge red flag, as you’ll likely have to contend with hidden fees and such. Another warning sign is an estimate that is suspiciously lower than with other contractors, which may indicate they’re cutting corners by omitting the main aspects of a repair.
Once you get the estimates from different companies, take a closer look at the price-quality ratio. The cheapest option isn’t always the best so you should consider the level of customer service each contractor offers. For example, one may be offering you a sweet deal, but if reviews indicate they’re not reliable, move along.
It’s a lot easier to pay a higher fee than contend with subpar service and wonder when your heating equipment will break down again.
4. Look For A Satisfaction Guarantee
A quick way to choose a heating system repair contractor and protect yourself and your investment is to only look for
HVAC specialists who offer a satisfaction guarantee. Quality companies generally include a policy that details how potential complaints or future issues will be resolved.
There is a variety of different types of satisfaction guarantees offered by Florida HVAC companies, some of which include:
- Buyback guarantee: if you hire someone to install an HVAC product and you’re not satisfied with how it works, a buyback guarantee can protect you. For instance, the contractor can either adjust your fee or buy back the equipment from you.
- Customer respect guarantee: certain contractors may advertise their customer service by ensuring that they’re neat, courteous, don’t swear or use tobacco products, and employ an overall polite approach and positive attitude that can make the process smoother for you.
- Property protection guarantee: some HVAC service companies also offer a guarantee that they won’t harm your property when servicing your heating and cooling equipment. If they offer this, you can expect the contractor to immediately address any repairs or damage they might cause.
5. Ask For References
Lastly, before settling on a service professional, ask them to provide references from past clients. Sure, online reviews are a good indication of quality, but they’re nothing compared to talking directly to past customers who can provide insights into the experience of working with a particular contractor.
In case the business is trustworthy, they won’t object to you speaking to past clients. In fact, they may even provide you with a list of references who would love to vouch for the quality.
Looking For A Heating System Repair Contractor?
You don’t have to look far to find the right people for the job. As one of the most qualified Central Florida contractors, experts at
Mid-Fla Heating & Air
are always willing and ready to deliver the highest quality service.
Feel free to check us out using the information above and we guarantee you’ll be satisfied with what you see.
Schedule an appointment – call
561-750-1625 or fill out
our contact form
and we’ll be with you shortly!
