Most homeowners do not have a preset list of repair technicians that they know to call when something goes wrong in the house. Instead, the heating and air unit breaks down and they now have to search the Internet or get recommendations from friends on who the best contractor is in their area. This search can be frustrating and result in an expensive bill if the owner picks the first name on the list.
Here are a few things to look for during the search to help narrow down the options and hopefully result in a positive experience and a reliable vendor for issues in the future. One of the first things to check after finding the list of top HVAC contractors in Houston is the customer reviews. While you will probably never find one that doesn’t have anything negative, the majority of posted comments should be positive.
Be sure to focus on reviews about the quality of work, timeliness and price comparison. When the air conditioning is out and it’s a hot summer day, you need to know that the technician is going to arrive at the appointed time or within the window that you were given. Your time is valuable and any company that has a reputation for being late or showing up in an unprofessional manner is not worth the cost. Review at least two or three websites to find out their list of services to see if they can handle big and small jobs or if they are limited in their qualifications. Call these same vendors and ask for pricing on the same scenario so you can accurately compare and be sure to ask for a break-down (i.e. labor, parts, removal, etc.). This will also ensure that you can identify why some companies may charge significantly higher or lower than others in the industry.
As a tip, you may also be able to save yourself some money depending on the situation by handling some of the tasks or purchasing the unit on your own. The best air conditioning service in Houston TX is comprised of certified technicians who can recommend an energy-efficient unit for your home at a price that will fit in your budget. Financing terms are another thing to ask about since this will affect the total cost of the project and could determine which contractor you decide to go with.
Another factor to consider is the customer service you receive during the phone call as this will give you an indication of the company’s view on how they treat clients. If the representative is rude, short and not very helpful then you should probably move them to the bottom of the list and go with someone else who is shows a higher willingness to be helpful. Once you decide on a contractor and they perform the job, the best way to avoid repeating this process in the future is to get their card and keep it in a safe location so you know exactly who to call the next time there is a question, an maintenance inspection is needed or an issue comes up with the HVAC.