Commercial HVAC Contractors: Frequently Asked Questions

November 03, 2011

In winter, heating your building to the right temperature is a top priority. In summer, the same is true for cooling it. When ambient air temperature is too warm or too cold, a building can cause loss of production, an increase in sick days, and a decrease in work quality. To prevent these things, companies hire commercial heating and cooling companies to replace, repair, and maintain their HVAC systems. If you need a commercial HVAC contractor, but you wish to know more about how contractors work, the answers below can help:

What licensing must HVAC contractors have in the state of Georgia?

Georgia requires HVAC contractors to receive one of the following licenses from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board: a Class I Air Contractors License, which permits a contractor to work with HVAC systems that have up to 175,000 BTU for heating and up to 60,000 BTU for cooling; or a Class II Air Contractors License, which permits a contractor to work with a system of any size. If a contractor doesn’t have one of these licenses, it cannot operate legally in the state of Georgia.

What is the advantage of hiring NATE certified technicians?

The North American Technician Excellence Association (NATE) certifies HVAC technicians who demonstrate excellence in their field by passing certain tests. NATE certification shows that a technician possesses expert knowledge of his or her discipline, which is something every HVAC customer wants in a heating and cooling technician.

NATE

Should a contractor be paid for work before a project is complete?

It depends on the project. For long, involved projects, staggered payments are often requested. For short projects that take less than a month, most contractors do not ask for staggered payments. But in no case should an HVAC customer be asked to pay for a significant portion of a project, or all of a project, up front.

Is it possible for a contractor to give an accurate bid over the phone?

In most cases, it is impossible for a contractor to give an accurate bid without inspecting an HVAC system in person. Contractors who give bids over the phone fall into two categories: those who carelessly assume that they know the cost of a project, and those who quote an attractive price to get the job, and then raise the price as needed.

How many bids should be received before choosing a contractor?

Receiving at least three bids before choosing a contractor is the best way to make an informed decision about pricing. If a heating and cooling contractor makes a bid that is significantly lower than other bids, it could result from the contractor’s lack of service quality, which has made it difficult for the contractor to find work.

Commercial

Why should a company choose Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning?

Choosing Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning has several advantages, particularly: the company has over 25 years of experience serving commercial HVAC clients, work is performed by NATE certified technicians, and all workmanship is guaranteed for life. For HVAC replacements, repairs, and maintenance, call Bardi today.