Choosing a Heating and Cooling Contractor? 3 Easy Steps to Follow

When choosing a heating and cooling contractor, you want an experienced, knowledgeable and honest professional. Of course, not every contractor fits that description. To ensure that you end up satisfied with your HVAC repair or installation service, here are three easy steps to follow when choosing a heating and cooling contractor:

1. Check Their Reputation

Past performance predicts future results, and the way that the contractor has worked with customers in the past is almost certainly the way they will work with you. To find out what past customers think of the company, there are several sources you can go to:
• Family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who have experience with the contractor.
• Testimonials or references provided by the company itself.
• Online review sites, such as Angie's List.
• The Better Business Bureau, which rates companies with a letter grade ranging from A+ to F.

2. Check Their Credentials

You want an HVAC contractor who's able to prove their expertise, who guarantees their work and who has all of the licensing and insurance required to legally do business. Some of the different credentials you can look for include:
• NATE certification for their technicians.
• The Good Housekeeping seal.
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified Green Professional designation.
• The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) designation.
• Any warranties or guarantees they offer.

3. Get An Estimate

Before officially choosing a heating and cooling contractor, you should have them give you an estimate. How they do this will tell you a lot about the company and its standards. A good HVAC contractor should:
• Inspect the home and HVAC system in person, to make sure they understand the situation and have identified any problems.
• Perform a load calculation to determine the ideal size of a new system, instead of using rule-of-thumb shortcuts.
• Provide a written estimate that itemizes the materials needed and labor to be performed.

When choosing a heating and cooling contractor for your South Carolina home, contact Comfort Services in Columbia first. We are committed to always working in your best interest, and have 36 years of experience in doing the job right.