Winter is a common time to have an HVAC unit installed. The heat of the summer has passed, but families want to make sure they are prepared before the next summer comes around. Purchasing a new HVAC unit is a huge commitment. You want to make sure you are hiring the right contractor, one who is giving you the best price and providing the best service.

Vetting Your Contractor

This step can be accomplished before you make you make your first phone call. You want to make sure any contractor you hire is properly licensed and insured. Look into their state licensing and check on their associated with national contractors associations. An HVAC contractor should be associated with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. You can also find out if their technicians are NATE certified. The NATE certification is the highest level of certification that HVAC technicians can achieve. As an extra step, you can look into customer reviews and look into personal referrals.

No Easy Estimates

Once you have picked out a few potential contractors, you need to have them come to your home to perform an inspection. After their inspection they should be prepared to offer you a written estimate. A good written estimate should be detailed. They should be happy to answer any questions you have. This is a good chance to get to know your potential contractor. If you get along with them and they give off a good, positive vibe, they may be the right person for you.

Shopping Around

You always need to make sure you are shopping around and getting multiple estimates, even if you are happy with the first proposal you look at. Be wary of unusually low estimates. Some contractors may try to lowball the estimate in order to get the job. They may follow up with additional expenses once work has begun.