Temperatures continue to rise in Beckley and Mount Hope, which means one thing – your AC is about to go in to full blown summer mode and run quite a bit more. That’s why it’s so critical to plan ahead and have an AC repair technician identified if your air conditioner decides it’s worked hard enough and breaks down.
Of course it’s not as simple as picking a name and number out of a phone book like it used to be, and there are a sufficient number of companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your difficulty. That’s why Appalachian Heating has put together a few things to keep an eye out for in an AC repair technician.
So how might you know if you’re dealing with an untrustworthy AC repair technician?
1) Full payment – in cash prior to beginning the work
It might be hard to believe that there are contractors out there like this, but they are out there. Not only does this put you at risk of not having your AC repair completed, it can easily lead to sloppy work and a bunch of frustration if you have any trouble after the work is completed. Plain and simple, most respected contractors will give you an estimate and will not make you pay before the work begins.
2) Offers a specific AC repair cost without inspecting the system
If a contractor hasn’t come out and checked your air conditioner to get the big picture of what is the problem with your system, how can you be 100 percent sure that they fixed the issue? Identify someone who is willing to offer you an honest estimate after they come and inspect your air conditioner to completely comprehend what the problem is. It can help you save money and time.
3) Won’t put it in writing
Never, ever settle on this one. If you can’t get a contractor to put their work and charges in writing, you might as well be handing over a signed, blank check. With any AC repair, you might run in to things here or there that also need to be handled, but they can be added to the agreed upon contract afterwards.
Having a signed contract from the start means you are on the same page with your contractor when it comes to what is being worked on, what is being swapped out, timeline for completion, and cost involved.
4) They aren’t licensed in your state
Of course, not all states require licensure for HVAC contractors, but many do. Do a quick search online to find out if your state requires a license so you know what you’re asking for when finding a contractor. The benefit to living in a state that requires a license is that it protects you from using a contractor with less than qualified workers, and in the occasion you run in to a headache, you can to report any issues with the work you received.
Typically when you encounter a contractor doing business without a license in a state that requires it, you’re more than likely dealing with someone you shouldn’t be. There’s most likely a reason they don’t have a license and it’s easy to assume they’re up to no good.
Sure, these four tips may not thwart every encounter with an undesirable contractor, but they can help you determine who to trust and who not to trust in the Beckley and Mount Hope area. Fortunately for you, you can always trust the experienced pros at Appalachian Heating to get the job done correctly the first time. Give them a call at 304-707-0600.