The house can heat up quite a lot during the summer months without an air conditioner to regulate the temperature. That said, only getting an air conditioner is not enough; one needs to ensure that the system is properly installed and serviced regularly for it to work properly to filter out hot air. Since these are not tasks that one can usually DIY, one should hire a reputable company that installs and services air conditioners.
Seek recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find a trustworthy company that can install and service an air conditioner is to seek recommendations. One can approach their neighbors, family, or friends who live in the same vicinity. If any of them have recently had their ACs installed or serviced, they might be able to recommend the company they had approached. Not only that, but they can give honest feedback about the quality of work. Plus, in such cases, one might have multiple queries about the company and the task in question, and seeking recommendations from peers allows one to make an informed decision.
Read online reviews
When looking for an AC servicing or installation company, one should read online reviews of the companies they are considering. Online reviews from previous customers are also a great way to get honest feedback about a company’s quality of work or service. Plus, online reviews can help one understand multiple things, such as if the company finished the servicing or installation on time or if the kind of service they provided was worth the money. One can also gauge how well a company has responded to negative reviews and customer complaints.
Check the company’s experience
While deciding which company to consider for AC servicing or installation can be tedious, a few factors can help determine if a particular company is worth hiring. One such factor is its experience in AC servicing and installation. One way to check how much experience the company has is by logging on to its website and reading about it. If there is information about how long a company has been operational or its body of work, one can reach out to its customer service and ask for the details. Generally, it is better to pick a company that has considerable years of experience.
Choose a licensed company
After shortlisting a few companies, one should contact them to confirm some key details. For instance, one should check if the company has all the licenses required for a business. It should have a valid license to operate as an AC installation or servicing firm. Most companies have their license numbers written on their websites so customers can easily verify them. But if one cannot find the license number on the company website, they should ask a company representative to provide proof of licensing over the phone. The company should only be hired after verifying the license. Also, one must ask if it is insured, as insurance covers the costs of any injuries the workers might face during the AC installation or servicing job.
Besides the license and insurance, one must also check if the company is certified to perform HVAC repairs and services. One can especially check for reputable certifications, such as those issued by NATE (North American Technician Excellence). Such certifications indicate that the company has trained and knowledgeable technicians.
Ensure the company knows local building codes
Before hiring a company for AC installation, customers must also ask its representative if they know the local building codes. These codes are set in place to ensure the highest safety standards are followed. Plus, they can differ from region to region. So, if a company knows the codes, it can obtain all the required permits before beginning the installation process and following the guidelines.
Compare quotes
After shortlisting some of the best air conditioning companies nearby and researching them, one should ask about their charges. One can also request the company to share a detailed quote with a complete cost breakdown. It is also better to seek detailed quotes from a couple of companies. This is because a detailed quote with a price breakdown lets one understand what the company charges for. This can include the cost of materials, labor, or transportation. Not only that, with a comprehensive quote, one can ensure that the company has not included hidden costs. Getting quotes from multiple companies will also allow one to compare the prices and cost breakdowns of each of them and choose the company offering the best rates.
Check service guarantee
Before finalizing a servicing or installation contract from a company, one must also check the guarantees that the company is offering. Most reputable companies offer a complete warranty on their parts, but only a few offer a service guarantee. So, it is always better to choose a company that offers a guarantee for their services. This way, if one’s air conditioner stops working in a specific time period, they can ask for a free service.