Air conditioning can be an expensive component to your home, and not something you’d want to entrust to just anyone. If you need work done on your cooling system, it’s important to make sure you find an air conditioning contractor you can trust. Here are six tips to help you find a reliable contractor.
Ask for Recommendations
The best way to start your search is by asking for recommendations from friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else whose opinions you trust. Ask about things like whether the final cost was what they were quoted, whether the air conditioning contractor was friendly and reliable, and whether they were satisfied with the work. A personal recommendation is always worth more than one given by someone you don’t know or can’t verify, such as an online review.
Check Online Reviews
Sometimes personal recommendations may not be an option, at which point you might have to start with a local Google search. Be sure to check reviews of any company you are considering using, but take online reviews with a grain of salt. Remember that disgruntled customers are much more likely to leave reviews than happy customers, and also that some review sites may use algorithms or business practices that skew the overall review score. To avoid being misled, check reviews from a variety of sites.
Look for an Established Company
If you’re considering a company seriously, it’s time to do a little research beyond a personal recommendation or a favorable review you read once. Avoid startups or companies that appear to lack experience and expertise. Instead, look for an air conditioning contractor who has been in business for a little while and has a good reputation. This will ensure that he has experience and a track record of producing happy customers.
Avoid Anyone Who Gives Quotes Over the Phone
When you start making phone calls, the last thing you should expect is to be given a quote over the phone. If anyone tells you how much the work you’re requesting will cost without first seeing your air conditioning system, view it as a red flag. There are too many variables to make a valid estimate over the phone. Any reputable professional should hold off quoting you a price until they’ve seen your system and your home for themselves.
Get a Written Quote
While we’re talking about quotes, let’s talk about what is an acceptable practice in the industry. When an air conditioning contractor comes to your home to give you a quote, you should always get that quote in writing. Providing you with a written quote is a professional practice that protects both you and the contractor by preventing any misunderstandings later on. If a contractor is reluctant to provide a written quote, this is another red flag that the work might end up costing more than what you’re being told.
Prioritize Quality Over Cost
A common practice is to talk to mroe than one air conditioning contractor in order to compare prices, but resist the urge to automatically go with the least expensive contractor. While price must of course be a deciding factor for most homeowners, there are other considerations. A contractor that quotes you bargain basement prices is likely to cut corners in order to keep costs down. You may even end up paying more later on as a result of trying to cut costs now.
A Name You Can Trust
These days it seems everyone has a story about contractors not doing their work or showing up when they’re supposed to, which can make the search for a reliable contractor especially nerve-wracking. Are you still on the hunt for a contractor you can trust? With our focus on customer service and a track record of quality work, Maeser won’t let you down. Spanning more than four decades, Maeser has grown from a small plumbing company to a family of companies covering all of your plumbing, HVAC, and remodeling needs. Contact us today to schedule a quote.
