Finding a good heating and air conditioning contractor can be challenging, as well as intimidating. There are literally 100s of contractors to choose from in the area- never mind the entire State connecticut-hvac-contractorof Connecticut. Choosing a good contractor can mean the difference between getting quality work vs. just plain getting ripped off.

Many HVAC contractors have bad reputations, which casts suspicion  on the industry as a whole. But know this – not all contractors are bad.  In fact, there are many companies out there that are quite good at what they do and deliver high quality services. We’ve compiled a HVAC contractor hiring checklist to help you in your search. Even if you don’t choose Total Mechanical Systems, we want you to know what you should look for, because Your Comfort is Our First Priority.

Top Things to Help You Find a Quality HVAC Contractor

1) A Contract that Has a Good Reputation – both online and off:

It’s important to find a contractor the consistently gets good reviews both on and off line. There are many ways to research reviews online, such as Yelp, Google Plus, Facebook and other online review sites.

logo-bbbYou can even check out contractors on third party sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This site rates companies on a scale of A+ to F.

2) Ask for Referrals:

Ask the HVAC contractor candidate for references of past clients that they have performed work for to gain feedback on their work performance. Its a great way to gain a feel of what you can expect.

3) Licenses and Certifications:

In Connecticut (as well as most states), you can verify that your potential contractor is licensed by using a License Lookup website. Make sure the website is run by the state licensing board itself. A good way to do that is look at the domain extensions. For instance, all State of Connecticut run website sites use the “.ct.gov” extension at the end. If you were in California, you’d look for “.ca.gov,” and so on for most states. It’s a good way to verify the credibility of the website itself. Those domain extensions are not available to private consumers.

You can also ask the HVAC contractor to show you copies of their current licenses or certifications, if the above seems to much hassle, by law, they must show you.

logo-nateAn HVAC company should hire North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified and state licensed technicians. This tells you that the company hires technicians who are efficient, knowledgeable and professional.

4) Has Insurance:

It’s important to make sure the contractor has worker’s compensation insurance, in the event they are injured on your property. Don’t put yourself at risk of being responsible for a contractor that skates the workers comp laws.

5) Willing to Provide Annual Heating and Cooling Estimates:

Using heat-load and cooling-load calculations, a good contractor can estimate your home’s annual energy bills for the equipment they are suggesting you install. If they can’t, buyer beware, because this is basic stuff! Know what your being sold.

6) Won’t Necessarily Have the Lowest Price:

Don’t search looking for the lowest price. You’ll likely find a fly-by-night contractor who works out of his home, and isn’t licensed of insured. They’ll most likely install your system improperly, which will contribute to higher energy bills.  You should only consider price. after you’ve narrowed your choices down to 2 or 3 contractors.
Also, “cheap” contractors typically cut corners, which ends up costing more in the long run. Typically, these contractors cannot afford to fix their mistakes, which can result in the need to pay twice.
Lastly, cheap contractors have difficulty hiring the best technicians, because they cannot afford to pay top wages or offer a competitive benefits package. Top technicians seek companies that can provide stability, competitive wages and a solid benefits package including insurance, vacation pay, sick pay, etc.  In the end, the lowest price is often not the lowest at all. You end up paying through the teeth.

7) Gives you an Estimate, After Inspecting Your Home of Current System:

HVAC contractors should inspect your current system to make sure all components meet HVAC guidelines and the manufacturer’s specifications. Don’t trust an estimate over the phone and not in writing. If a contractor isn’t willing to at least do that, you could be in for a “treat” when they start the work and you get that final invoice.

8) Has a Local Shop or Office:

Do you know how to find your HVAC contractor once the job is complete? Do they have a local office or shop you could visit, if you needed to?

Having a local office or shop tells you that they intend on being in business for a long time and will service their warranties and guarantees.

9) Guarantees Their Work:

Does this need any further explanation? I hope not. If a contractor isn’t willing to guarantee their work- tell them no thanks.

Trust Your Gut!

Go with your gut – not who is the cheapest.  Hire a contractor that’s going to do the job correctly and not cut corners.  Who installs your HVAC unit is more important than what type of unit you buy or where you live.  A quality heating and air conditioning contractor can make almost any HVAC system run efficiently.  Choosing a contractor isn’t something you should take with a grain of salt. Do your research.

Established in 2001,Total Mechanical Systems, LLC serves the entire State of Connecticut with quality air conditioning, heating, and plumbing solutions. We are one of the fastest growing HVAC companies in the northeast and THE largest authorized Home Depot Authorized Service Provider for HVAC and plumbing services  in the state.

Our technicians are state licensed, Nate Certified, and Trane Comfort Specialists. We install custom heating and air conditioning solutions that meet your comfort, efficient and budgetary needs. We also repair and maintain any make and model of equipment.

Call now to set up an in-home consultation and get a FREE quote.

860-314-1518