How To Tell If An HVAC Contractor Is Legitimate
It’s hard to welcome a contractor into your home when you don’t know if you can trust them. That’s especially true when it comes to HVAC work, which can be quite expensive. Many homeowners understandably wonder how to tell if an HVAC contractor is legitimate.
You can tell an HVAC contractor is legitimate if they are licensed in a state or county that requires it. Positive reviews on the Better Business Bureau website or Google Business Profile also show if they are reputable. It’s a red flag if they provide exorbitant cost estimates without an itemized breakdown of services and fees.
Reach out to 2-3 HVAC companies and compare prices before you settle on one. After all, this could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Follow along as we detail how to tell if an HVAC contractor is legitimate.
How Do I Know An HVAC Company Is Good?
1. They Have A Long History
Experienced HVAC technicians and contractors have less to prove than others. That’s not to say that a new company can’t be equally trustworthy. However, it’s a good sign if an HVAC contractor has been around for 5 to 20 years or longer.
That’s especially true if they are a staple of the community in which they operate. Look into their affiliations, see if they sponsor community events, and ask for local recommendations.
2. Look Them Up On The BBB
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an organization that holds businesses to ethical standards. They encourage businesses to conduct themselves in a trustworthy way, and that includes HVAC contractors. You can find information and feedback about HVAC companies that can tell you whether they’re legitimate.
For example, people often go on the BBB website to report scams. A representative from the HVAC contractor or any business has the chance to respond. Even their response is a good indicator of how legitimate they are.
3. Read Online Reviews
Online reviews through outlets like Google and even social media platforms like Facebook say a lot about a business. Today, the overwhelming majority of businesses at least create Google Business Profiles. You can find a review amalgamation represented by some stars out of five.
For example, one HVAC business may have an average 4-out-of-5 rating whereas another has a 2-out-of-5 rating. The star rating doesn’t necessarily reveal as much as the reviews that you can find when you click the tab. There, customers often post thorough reviews, and they even sometimes include pictures.
It’s a great idea to pay attention to the reviews with pictures. You often come across pictures of unhappy HVAC customers revealing shoddy work left behind after contractor visits. Of course, you can also find glowing reviews that instill confidence in any given HVAC company.
4. Check Their License
While not every state requires it, some states, counties, and cities require licenses for HVAC contractors. Some states, such as California, require HVAC technicians to have a contract if they do more than $500 of work per year. Obtaining a license means you must go through legal hoops that provide you with certification.
Many people consider having a license to be a reputable thing, especially in a trade like HVAC work. That said, it’s not necessarily a sign that your contractor is a fraud if they don’t have a license. After all, it may not be required in that state.
However, it’s worth it to ask them to present their license if you believe there is something sketchy about them. That’s especially true if they claim they are licensed or if they operate in an area where it’s required. You can even look up the license number to verify that it belongs to them.
5. Compare Prices
You’re not alone if you like to compare prices before you spend money on HVAC work. It’s common to call several companies and see how much they will charge for a basic furnace repair. This is when it’s easiest to tell if a contractor is legitimate, as you can see which prices sound too good to be true.
Prices that are too low or too high can raise a red flag. It helps to look up the average cost for the type of HVAC work you need. That way, you have a starting point to compare prices to when you get quotes from different HVAC contractors.
6. Request A Written Estimate
It’s one thing to throw a number out there, but to have a written estimate is something else. Written estimates often provide vital details that highlight what goes into the cost. Sometimes, shady HVAC companies don’t want you to know what goes into the cost.
This is often a sign that they are either hiding something or that their pricing is baseless. Granted, some small HVAC companies simply may not have time to provide a written estimate. In that case, you can at least ask for a cost breakdown to understand where they’re coming from.
7. Pushy Sales
Nothing is a bigger red flag than when a contractor is pushy about sales, especially when the information sounds wrong. This could be anything from pressuring you to replace your furnace to insisting that your AC is faulty. It’s easier to spot pushy, misleading HVAC contractors if you have a basic understanding of heating and cooling.
For example, you shouldn’t trust a contractor who says your 5-year-old air conditioner must be replaced. AC systems last between 15 and 20 years in many cases, so breaking after 5 years is unlikely. Call another contractor, relay the information, and see what they say about it.
What Should I Look For In An HVAC Quote?
A cost breakdown is the most important thing to look for in an HVAC quote. Reputable HVAC companies provide itemized breakdowns of each cost and why they exist. This includes labor, parts, travel time, and installation costs.
They may even provide an estimate of how long the repair or installation will take. Detailed quotes also list what forms of payment they include, such as cash or credit. It’s hard to trust a quote that simply says the price and asks for payment.
Look for details about the unit they are repairing or installing as well. This shows that they know what they’re doing. That information also comes in handy years later when you need another repair, as you’ll have the unit information available.
How Many Quotes Should You Get For HVAC?
Ideally, you should get up to 3 quotes for an HVAC contract. This can give you an idea of the price range as well as what needs to be done. It helps to get a quote from 2 well-established companies and another from a smaller contractor.
What Voids An HVAC Warranty?
Time and misuse are the two biggest factors that void an HVAC warranty. For example, you can’t redeem a 5-year HVAC warranty after 6 or 7 years. Warranties also often stipulate that you must get the unit serviced by an HVAC professional.
This stipulation exists so manufacturers don’t have to reimburse customers who broke their units with faulty maintenance. Always keep your warranty handy and provide it to an HVAC contractor who visits your home.
Summing It Up
It’s a good sign if your HVAC contractor is licensed and has great online reviews. Detailed cost estimates also indicate that they have good intentions and won’t rip you off. Avoid pushy HVAC contractors without great reputations.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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