You’ve gone through your troubleshooting tips and the air conditioning or heating unit is still not working. It’s time to call in the experts. However, before you write a check that will take a big bite out of your bank account, do some research on finding the right HVAC expert for your problem. Stephen Mahoney, owner of Ultra Heating & Air Conditioning in Lynnfield, Mass., says if you follow these four steps, you stand a good chance of getting the job done right.
Cast a wide net
Before you set up appointments and gather estimates, talk to friends, family and colleagues about who they would recommend. Touch base with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Look at online reviews, though a couple of negative complaints may not necessarily be a true picture of the company, says the Lynnfield heating and cooling business owner.
“When people are mad, they are more likely to write up a negative review than when they’re happy at the terrific job you’ve done,” he explains. “Personally, I find referrals to be the best.”
Ask to see their insurance paperwork
Under no circumstances should you hire someone who does not have liability insurance worth at least $1 million. Hire someone without coverage and you open yourself to a possible lawsuit when something goes wrong.
Mahoney, who started his Lynnfield heating and cooling business more than 40 years ago, says his father went with a contractor who quoted the lowest price for re-roofing his house. He was attracted by the $4,000 estimate but also trusted the roofer because he knew him from church. However, he didn’t do his homework and ask for referrals and to see the roofer’s liability insurance.
“A guy falls off the roof during the job and it turns out they didn’t have worker’s compensation so the roofer sues my father and the roof leaked worse than before,” continues the Lynnfield AC repair pro. “So the whole thing costs my father $10,000 and his homeowner’s insurance canceled on him.”
Proper license required
HVAC technicians are licensed by the state so find out what license is needed for your job. For example, in Massachusetts, someone who fixes oil furnaces needs an oil burner license, while someone who specializes in gas furnaces must have a gas fitting one. An AC and heat pump professional is required to have a universal refrigeration certificate, while ventilation is a different license. Renewal rates also vary from state to state.
Ask questions
Don’t be shy about asking how many of these problems have they faced and how did they fix them. How many of these units have they installed and what can you do to prevent this problem from reoccurring.
Adds the Lynnfield boiler repair expert, “You also want a technician who is between 35-45 years old or been in the trade for at least 10 years. Big companies usually send kids over and they are talking to their managers to figure out how to fix things. Those are the guys you want to leave your house.”
Lynnfield,,
MA
01940
Phone: 781-334-9928