You rely on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. And those units are designed to last! The average lifespan of most residential HVAC systems is between 12 and 15 years.
But those units need frequent maintenance and timely repairs to keep your home comfortable for years.
Without them, you’ll be left with unexpected breakdowns and high repair costs. But how do you even start finding an experienced air conditioning contractor in the first place?
Read on! In this guide, we’ll go over a few simple tips to help you find the best air conditioning company in North Port.
Ask Your Friends
The best place to start when searching for a reliable HVAC contractor is with your friends, family, and coworkers. Ask for their opinions and suggestions for contractors in the area. Odds are, if someone in your circle is happy with a contractor, you will be, too.
If your friends and family don’t have a preferred company or you’re new to the area, consult with online rating sites. But do so with caution.
Remember, online reviews are often anonymous and may not give an accurate depiction of the company’s service quality. If you decide to use online reviews, check everything against the Better Business Bureau’s site.
If they have a positive rating there, consider scheduling an appointment. If not, keep looking. The BBB researches most claims to decide whether the negative reviews are valid or if it’s the result of a misunderstanding.
Make Sure They’re Insured
Every contractor or repair person that works on your property should have a valid business insurance policy in place. If they don’t, keep searching.
Business insurance protects them from liability if your property gets damaged. But it also protects you and your family.
If a contractor doesn’t have insurance, you could end up paying twice for the same repairs. Worse, if one of their employees gets injured at your home, you could be liable for their medical treatment.
Always ask for proof of insurance before signing a contract.
Look at Their Experience
Experience matters, especially with heating and cooling systems. Not all units are built the same way.
If a contractor that’s unfamiliar with your type of system tries to make repairs, they could end up making the problem worse.
Make sure the company has plenty of experience before you hire them. The more experience they have, the better prepared they’ll be to address your concerns and keep your system running longer.
Schedule an On-Site Estimate
The best way to tell if an air conditioning contractor is the best fit for your needs is to schedule an estimate.
During the estimate, they’ll inspect your AC unit and make sure it’s something they can repair. If not, they’ll recommend the right course of action and provide you with an estimated cost for the service.
But it’s also the perfect time to see if you’re comfortable with their abilities. Ask them questions about the types of units they work on. Make sure they’re familiar with your home’s needs.
If you’re satisfied with their answers and agree with their estimate, consider them an option. If not, keep searching.
Ask for References
Reputable companies have a long-standing reputation within the community. This means they’re sure to have references you can speak with about their services.
Don’t be afraid to ask for them when scheduling an estimate. This is part of the process and every good company and contractor will happily provide them.
If an HVAC service doesn’t have references or won’t provide them to you, keep looking. This could be a sign that their past customers weren’t happy with their work.
Look at Their Availability
No one wants to be stuck without air conditioning in the middle of the summer. But that’s exactly what some companies allow.
They don’t even do it intentionally.
It all comes down to their hours of availability. If a company only works a set 9 to 5 schedule and won’t make appointments outside those windows, walk away.
You need someone with more flexibility and a willingness to help you when you need emergency repair. The best repair experts know that repairs can happen at any time.
They’ll be willing to work with your schedule to find an appointment time that works for your needs. If it’s an emergency, they’ll make sure a technician stops by as soon as possible.
Shop Around
The best way to find a company you can trust is to shop around. Schedule estimates with multiple companies.
Ask each company about their experience, their insurance, and ask for references. This will give you a baseline to compare each company.
Once they give you an estimate, take the time to follow up with their references and see which company best fits your needs and your budget. The important thing here is to contact multiple companies.
You should always make an informed decision. And when you can compare one company’s services against another’s, you’re better prepared to find the right fit.
Don’t Base the Decision on Price
As a homeowner, saving money is always a priority. But when it comes to your comfort, money should never be the main deciding factor.
Budget HVAC repairs often result in low-quality workmanship at best and more extensive repairs at worst. And the more your system breaks down, the more often you’ll need to schedule repairs.
This results in high repair bills and can put more strain on your budget than hiring a capable technician ever would.
Instead of choosing a company based on price alone, look at the value they provide. Great technicians stand by their work and will keep your system running for years.
The fewer repairs you have, the more money you’ll save.
Choose the Right Air Conditioning Company in North Port
Don’t let a broken or malfunctioning air conditioner keep you from being comfortable. Schedule an appointment with the best air conditioning company in North Port.
Our dedicated technicians have more than 25 years of experience and promise to get your system back up and running quickly. With our extended hours and 24/7 emergency service, you’ll never have to worry about being without air conditioning or heat again.