10 Signs Your HVAC Contractor is a Keeper

The eternal struggle of finding the right people to service your home extends into the HVAC world. You want to find someone you can trust, but who is also affordable, respectful, and timely. Simple, right? Here are a few tips to help you navigate the murky waters of finding the right HVAC contractor:

  1. License and Insurance, Please:  Ask your HVAC contractor for their license number and proof of insurance. Never use a contractor that is not licensed and insured.
  2. Do They Have Industry Certifications and Are Part of Trade Groups? Look for a contractor with technical certifications like NATE. They should also be a member of respected HVAC Industry groups like ACCA. You can also find a list of qualified HVAC contractors on the Energy Star website.
  3. Respected and Referred by Peers: Check with bigger contractors that are out of your area. Ask them for references in your area and see who they refer.
  4. Do They Offer Annual Service Contracts? Ask if they have a service plan and if so, how many customers participate. If they have a great deal of participants, you are on the right track.
  5. On-Call During Non-Business Hours: Check and see if they answer with phones early in the morning and late in the evening. This tells you when they start and end their day and when you are likely to get assistance.
  6. Online Reviews: These can be a bit tricky as people often take advantage of the platform social media affords them. In general, you should be able to get a good sense of how they treat their customers by checking out their Facebook, Google listing, and more.
  7. Do They Drug Screen or Background Check Employees? You don’t let just anyone in your house, so be sure to find out how employees are screened.
  8. Length of Business: The longer a company has been in business, the better. You should be able to find this out from their website or through your state’s business license listings.
  9. What are They Driving? Check out their vehicle. It should be in good condition, well-marked, and not full of junk!
  10. What do They Look Like? The contractor should be wearing a clean uniform and a smile.