Need a Heating Repair? Choose the Right Contractor.

Monday, January 9, 2012

When your heating system decides to give out, it is usually at the worst possible time.  No one plans to have their furnace or heat pump go out, and when it does, we always seem to have a hundred things going on.  For this reason it is even more imperative to choose the right contractor when it comes to making a repair.  The last thing your need is for an HVAC company, that you think has your best interest in mind, to charge you for repairs and replacement parts that are not need to get your home comfort system back up and running.

When choosing an HVAC company to work on your furnace or heat pump this winter, it is important to keep the following things in mind to avoid overpaying for services that are not needed.

  1. Before making your choice, check with the Better Business Bureau and affiliated state and community agencies for a company history of complaints. Angie’s List is another great resource when it comes to choosing a qualified contractor to work on your HVAC system.  Also check to see if the company has responded to any negative feedback with a plan to fix the previous customers bad experience.
  2. Ask for references: Current customers are an excellent source of information and are often willing to share their experience. Neighbors, friends, and family are great places to start when looking for someone you can trust who may have had a great experience with a particular contractor.
  3. Check local licenses: Inquire about their license, bonding, workers compensation and general liability insurance coverage.
  4. Get a detailed written proposal: Beware of companies that do not back up their offer in a detailed written proposal. This can sometimes lead to unexpected costs that were not documented.  Get everything in writing!
  5. Equipment/labor warranties and guarantees: Warranties and guarantees vary depending on the manufacturer or dealer. Make sure you ask about possible warranties and guarantees and make sure they are written into the contract.  At Peterman, we offer a 10 year parts and labor warranty with any newly installed Bryant HVAC system.  We are able to offer this to our customers because we are backed by the factory as a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer.
  6. 3-day right to cancel: Demand that your contractor follows contract law. A new comfort system is a big decision and with big decisions comes responsibility. According to the law, you a have a 3-day right to cancel.
  7. Ask your contractor about the maintenance requirements of your new system: A maintenance agreement is one of the best ways to ensure your system’s long-term performance, reliability and safety. Also, many manufactures mandate a record or service to honor warranties. Many contractors offer maintenance agreements to look after the health of your system.
  8. Know and understand the contract: Beware of unclear contracts and make sure to ask lots of questions. It is important to understand all aspects of the agreement with your contractor before any work begins.
  9. Get more than one estimate or reference: Always get several estimates and check references. Make sure that not only price is factored into your decision, but rather the entire scope of service to be performed.  It is also important to be sure you are comparing similar equipment when looking at the price of the work.  Sometimes companies will shoot you a very low price, but the equipment they are quoting is of lesser quality.

The Consequences of Choosing the Wrong Contractor:

When you select a certified HVAC contractor you can avoid many of the pitfalls that come with home improvement disasters.

  • · Frequent system malfunctions
  • · Improper installation
  • · Unsafe and/or inefficient operation
  • · Shorter equipment lifespan
  • · Unreliable service
  • · Higher utility bills
  • · Voiding of factory warranties
  • · Theft and/or property damage
  • · Building code violations

Peterman Heating & Cooling puts their customers first!  We want you to be aware of everything upfront and avoid any surprises that may arise with an unqualified contractor.  We stand behind our work and our commitment to our customers.

At Peterman Heating & Cooling, Inc., we always strive to keep our customers well informed when it comes to their home comfort system.  We proudly serve Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.  To learn more about our products and services please feel free to navigate around our website to learn more.