January 30, 2010
Whether you need to hire an HVAC contractor to perform commercial or residential HVAC work, there is a list of criteria that an HVAC company should meet before you hire them. The first criterion is that the contractor should be licensed, bonded, and insured. A contractor should be licensed in the state where they perform work and should be bonded and insured to at least $2,000,000 to cover liability. An uninsured contractor who causes damage to your property could leave you to pay the bill.
The second criterion for choosing the best contractor is to make sure that a contractor has a good safety record. You can do this by checking with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) organization in your state. If a contractor has frequent on-the-job injuries, why trust them with your safety when they’re not concerned with their own?
The third criterion for choosing the best contractor is to ensure that their technicians are NATE certified. NATE certification means that a technician has training in the latest HVAC technology and safety procedures. Are there proficient HVAC technicians that lack the NATE certification? Yes. But which ones are they? A NATE certificate at least offers you a sign of a technician’s proficiency.
The fourth criterion that a contractor should meet is the provision of in-house engineering and interior design. A heating contractor that doesn’t provide engineering and design means that you’ll be dealing with two companies working on the same project, extending completion time and increasing project cost.
Finally, you should make sure that a contractor offers an extended service agreement. Not having a service agreement means that you’ll be paying for servicing and maintenance from the start. Furthermore, the provision of a service agreement shows that the contractor has faith in their work.
When a contractor meets these five criteria, you should feel confident about hiring them. By being safe, licensed, bonded and insured and NATE certified; and by offering engineering services and a service agreement, a contractor presents value in objective terms.
