Temperatures continue to rise in Menomonie and western Wisconsin, 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 crucial 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 basic as selecting a name and number out of a phone book like it used to be, and there are an abundance of companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your difficulty. That’s why Halverson Brothers Inc has put together a list of things to keep an eye out for in an AC repair technician.
So how might you know if you’re dealing with a less than reputable AC repair technician?
1) Full payment – in cash prior to beginning the work
It can be hard to believe that there are contractors out there like this, but they exist. Not only does this put you in danger of not having your AC repair completed, it can easily lead to careless work and a bunch of frustration if you have any trouble after the work is completed. Plain and simple, most trustworthy contractors will offer an estimate and will not make you pay prior to work beginning.
2) Offers a specific AC repair cost without inspecting the system
If a contractor hasn’t stopped by and examined your air conditioner to get the complete picture of what is the issue with your system, how can you be 100 percent sure that they took care of the concern? Identify someone who is willing to provide you an honest estimate after they come and inspect your air conditioner to wholly recognize 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 are basically handing over a signed, blank check. With any AC repair, you could run in to things here or there that also need to be handled, but they can be added to the agreed upon contract later.
Having a signed contract from the start means you are on the same page with your contractor when it comes to what is being done, what is being replaced, 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 learn if your state requires a license so you know what you’re asking for when contacting 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.
Normally when you encounter a contractor operating 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 determine they’re up to no good.
Sure, these four tips may not stop every encounter with an undesirable contractor, but they can help you identify who to trust and who not to trust in the Menomonie and western Wisconsin area. Fortunately for you, you can always trust the experienced team at Halverson Brothers Inc to get the job done correctly the first time. Give them a call at 715-352-4052.